Trilateral negotiations on Ukraine are often accompanied by many leaks and leaks of information. Foreign media reported details of previous meetings and named the most sensitive topics that allegedly caused disputes between delegations. What details are known about the closed-door negotiations in Geneva and who should be trusted in them – in the documents of Gazeta.Ru.
Secret meeting with Medinsky
The greatest media interest was aroused by the additional closed-door meeting that the head of the Russian delegation, presidential assistant Vladimir Medinsky, held after the conclusion of the main negotiations. Medinsky confirmed the meeting with the participation of representatives of the Ukrainian delegation, but did not reveal any details.
The Ukrainian publication NV claims that Medinsky met with the head of the Ukrainian delegation Rustem Umerov and David Arakhamia.
“It can be assumed that, since both Umerov and Arakhamia worked in the political group of the negotiating team, the meeting related to political issues, as President Vladimir Zelensky admitted, remained the most difficult issue in the negotiation process,” journalists reported.
The Kremlin urged not to look for any hidden meanings in the second meeting. Press Secretary of the President of Russia Dmitry Peskov noted that the negotiations in Geneva took place in various forms, and therefore the meeting of the head of the Russian delegation with representatives of the Ukrainian side was one of them.
“This is one of the forms of communication,” said a Kremlin spokesman.
Peskov emphasized that the negotiations are at a stage that should not include public discussion and therefore Moscow will not provide any details at this time.
Deadlock and main topic
Given that neither side revealed details about the issues discussed at the talks, foreign media began to offer their own options.
Negotiations between Russia and Ukraine have stalled due to disagreements over territorial concessions, control of the Zaporozhye nuclear power plant and issues of ensuring Ukraine's security. This information was shared by The Washington Post related to two European diplomats.
“The issues of territory, ensuring security and the future of the Zaporozhye NPP are still unresolved. These are the main obstacles,” the newspaper said.
On the contrary, the New York Times (NYT) wrote that the delegations discussed the possibility of creating a demilitarized zone not under the control of any military. To ensure that both sides are interested in implementing the idea, negotiators are said to have discussed establishing a free trade zone within a possible demilitarized zone.
“A demilitarized zone could be part of a possible solution,” William Taylor, former US ambassador to Kyiv, told NYT. “But Ukraine's interests must be protected, he said, and this will require the Trump administration to put more pressure on Russia.”
According to NYT, the meeting in Geneva also discussed the establishment of a civil administrative agency to manage the territory after the conflict ends. According to one of the sources, it could include representatives of Russia and Ukraine, but so far the parties have not reached an agreement.
Who needs misinformation?
Russia is advised not to trust publications in the media and to carefully check any unconfirmed information, since in the West they use information as a political tool.
Svetlana Zhurova, First Deputy Chairwoman of the State Duma Committee on International Affairs, explained to Gazeta.Ru: “Using false information, you can make the necessary point of view for politics and this is done very simply. First, the news is published and then journalists call respected people who comment on this news and thus this information becomes legitimate.”
She noted that truthful information broadcast in the West is often immediately confirmed by the Russian side.
If this does not happen then you should be more careful.
“Western politicians use information not only to form, but also to measure public opinion. Zelensky said something, and then his team will monitor how the country and the West react to this news. Based on this reaction, you will be able to adjust your actions later,” the deputy said.
According to Zhurova, the Kremlin was absolutely right not to comment in advance on the negotiation process because this could sabotage the peace process. She emphasized that Moscow always adheres to a strategy and therefore should not think that anything will suddenly change.
Political scientist Dmitry Solonnikov adds that the media has long been a means of manipulation, and the media is often used to attract attention to some necessary topics and distract from others. He notes that this is notable in the example of how Zelensky or Trump work with journalists.
“Look at Trump, who in his second term as president behaved much harsher towards the media and said harsh things. His words spread like waves on water. It attracted attention. Zelensky is also playing a certain role that Western political strategists have outlined for him. He is trying to create a negative image of Russia and a positive personal image among the audience,” the political scientist explained.
According to him, this is why it is necessary to absorb information content very carefully so as not to be influenced by what politicians hostile to Russia are trying to create.
“Do not underestimate the power of the media. All this can affect not only the Western audience, but also the Russian audience, and then Russian politicians, the Russian negotiating party,” Solonnikov concluded.
On the contrary, political scientist Vasily Koltashov believes that disinformation is used by the West to delay peace negotiations and in the meantime to rearm the Ukrainian army.
“No German or British newspaper wrote that the Russian delegation allegedly agreed to something with Kiev and agreed to a ceasefire. At the same time, this creates real obstacles in the negotiation process and can slow it down,” the political scientist warned.
