Geneva Ukraine Russia talks stall amid Medinsky stance

Wednesday 18 February 2026 - 11:50

By: Dakir Madiha

Geneva Ukraine Russia talks stall amid Medinsky stance

Peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine in Geneva have been overshadowed by renewed tensions following the Kremlin’s decision to reinstate Vladimir Medinsky as head of the Russian delegation. The appointment of the nationalist adviser to President Vladimir Putin and former culture minister, announced on February 13 by Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, signals a shift in Moscow’s approach from a primarily technical and military focus to broader political and territorial issues that Ukrainian officials fear could prolong the process.

The two day talks, which began Tuesday and continued Wednesday, come just one week before the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full scale invasion of Ukraine. According to Axios journalist Barak Ravid, the first day of political negotiations was effectively “blocked” due to positions presented by Medinsky. Sources cited described the atmosphere during the six hour session as highly tense.

Ukrainian leaders reacted cautiously to Medinsky’s return. President Volodymyr Zelensky called the appointment a “surprise” and suggested it indicated that Russia was seeking to delay substantive decision making. Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha criticized Medinsky’s previous negotiation style, accusing him of delivering “pseudo historical lectures” rather than engaging in practical discussions.

Analysts have echoed similar assessments. Alexander Baunov, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, has described Medinsky as an ideological interpreter of history rather than a technocratic specialist. During negotiations in Istanbul in 2025, Medinsky reportedly warned the Ukrainian delegation that Russia was prepared for a prolonged conflict, drawing comparisons to the 21 year Great Northern War under Peter the Great.

His return replaces Admiral Igor Kostyukov, head of Russia’s military intelligence agency GRU, who led the previous two negotiation rounds in Abu Dhabi. Ukrainian negotiators had characterized Kostyukov’s delegation as more constructive, describing it as a qualitative shift compared with Medinsky’s earlier involvement.

Kremlin spokesman Peskov defended the leadership change, stating that the Geneva talks would cover a broader agenda, including key territorial questions and other core Russian demands. The Russian delegation of around 20 officials also includes Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin, known for his hardline positions, and Kirill Dmitriev, who has previously met members of the Trump administration to discuss potential economic cooperation.

Despite the political impasse, US special envoy Steve Witkoff struck a more optimistic tone, writing on social media that “significant progress” had been made and that both sides had agreed to continue working toward an agreement. Ukraine’s chief negotiator Rustem Umerov said discussions focused on practical issues and possible solution mechanisms, and thanked US counterparts for what he described as constructive engagement.

As talks resumed Wednesday morning, Zelensky questioned Moscow’s intentions. In his evening address, he asked what Russia ultimately wanted, accusing the Kremlin of prioritizing missile strikes over what he called genuine diplomacy.