The talks in Geneva between the Russian, Ukrainian and American delegations began in the early afternoon today, the head of the Ukrainian delegation Rustem Umerov and a source from the Russian team reported, Agence France-Presse reported, quoted by BTA.
“We are starting a new round of negotiations in a trilateral format - Ukraine, the United States and Russia“, former Defense Minister Rustem Umerov wrote on Facebook.
He noted that the Ukrainian delegation has a “framework (for the negotiations), approved by the President of Ukraine and with a clear mandate“.
“Security and humanitarian issues are on the agenda. We are working constructively, focused and without unnecessary expectations. Our task is to make maximum progress towards those solutions that can bring lasting peace closer," Umerov noted, thanking the United States for its commitment and consistent work in the negotiation process, as well as Switzerland for organizing and providing the conditions for the meetings.
Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis attended the opening of the trilateral negotiations as a representative of the host country, TASS reported.
Photos from the meeting show that the members of the three delegations are sitting at a U-shaped table - the Russian delegation on the left, the Ukrainian delegation on the right, and the American delegation in the middle. Cassis is also sitting between the Americans, the agency added.