• The Ukrainian delegation has arrived in Geneva for US-mediated peace talks with Russia on February 17-18.
• Negotiations aim to address key issues such as territorial control, particularly in Donetsk.
• The previous rounds in Abu Dhabi were described as constructive but yielded no breakthroughs.
• Ukrainian President Zelensky hopes for substantive outcomes but expressed concerns over differing focus areas in talks.
• Both nations are ramping up military pressure ahead of negotiations, complicating the diplomatic landscape.

The Ukrainian delegation has departed for Geneva, where a new round of US-mediated peace talks is set to take place on February 17-18. Ukraine's Chief of Staff, Kyrylo Budanov, posted on Telegram that they would discuss historical lessons and Ukraine's interests during the journey. This is following two previous rounds of negotiations held in Abu Dhabi, which Russia and Ukraine characterized as constructive but not breakthrough sessions, according to aa and aljazeera.

This round of talks is expected to focus significantly on land disputes, particularly concerning Russia's demands for Ukraine to cede the remaining territory in Donetsk, an area that Moscow has not yet fully captured. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has indicated that broader issues are also on the agenda. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has expressed hopes for serious and substantive discussions but noted that the sides often seem to lack common ground, highlighting the ongoing pressure for concessions primarily on Ukraine's side, according to reuters, aljazeera, and aa.