Diplomats emphasize lack of resolution on key issues after Geneva negotiations.
US and Russian diplomats have described their recent talks in Geneva regarding Ukraine as “useful” and “very professional,” but both sides acknowledged that no substantial progress was made on resolving their core disagreements. The eight-hour meeting primarily consisted of each side presenting their views on the situation in Ukraine, where around 100,000 Russian troops are currently stationed, as well as broader European security concerns. Both sides deferred further discussions to a NATO-Russia meeting in Brussels later in the week.
Wendy Sherman, the US deputy secretary of state and leader of the US delegation, referred to the talks as “useful discussions and exchanges” that would inform the next steps in diplomatic efforts. Meanwhile, Sergei Ryabkov, Russia’s chief negotiator, acknowledged the professionalism of the conversation but stated that no progress was made on Russia’s central demands.
Sherman noted that the US addressed a range of Russian concerns, including military exercises and missile deployments, but reiterated that the US would not accept any guarantee that Ukraine would never join NATO, asserting Ukraine’s sovereign right to determine its own security policies. “We will not allow anyone to slam close NATO’s open door policy,” Sherman remarked.
Despite the lengthy talks, Ryabkov confirmed that Russia had not made headway in obtaining its key demands, which include a formal pledge from NATO not to expand further, particularly regarding Ukraine and Georgia, as well as limits on military deployments in countries bordering Russia. He reiterated that these conditions were “requirements we cannot step back from.”
