Will Budanov help lead Ukraine to a peace settlement?
While not many people are paying attention, the US-Russia-Ukraine peace negotiations are taking place today and tomorrow in Geneva, Switzerland.
While no one is expecting much of this round of talks, with President Donald J. Trump urging Ukraine to ‘come to the table’, there is a new aspect to the negotiations.
‘Ukraine better come to the table fast’ — Trump ahead of Geneva talks pic.twitter.com/bYPGZlGB8I
— RT (@RT_com) February 17, 2026
Let’s take a look at what foreign correspondent Oliver Carrol wrote for the Rothschild family’s magazine The Economist (it’s true that they divested last year from the outlet after more than two decades of control).
The Economist reported:
“Since the start of the year, the two sides appeared to be inching closer towards a deal. […] Russia and Ukraine had chosen more pragmatic players to represent them, with Ukraine’s former spy chief Kyrylo Budanov making a particular impression as the de facto new head of the delegation. One source close to the Ukrainian team even rated the chance of a breakthrough as ‘50-50’.”
Ukraine talks in Geneva were ‘very tense’ – source to Sputnik
Today’s meetings in Geneva were both bilateral and trilateral: the dialogue took place in the format of Russia-US, Russia-Ukraine, and Russia-US-Ukraine negotiations
— Sputnik (@SputnikInt) February 17, 2026
“Divisions are also emerging within Ukraine’s delegation. One wing, centered on Mr. Budanov, believes Ukraine’s interests are best served by a swift American-led agreement, and fears the window for action may soon close. But another wing, apparently still influenced by the controversial former chief of staff Andriy Yermak, who departed in a corruption scandal, is much less keen. Mr. Zelensky appears to be balancing between them, while also having his own ideas.”
But, maybe, the negotiations are not going so poorly, if the UK felt like sending its delegation to try and derail the talks.
UK’s delegation UNEXPECTEDLY arrived at the place of negotiations between Russia, Ukraine and the US
The delegation was reportedly led by Starmer’s security adviser, Jonathan Powell
Did they attempt to interfere in the negotiation process, just as they did in 2022? https://t.co/DveSr9BPxx pic.twitter.com/DeCKZpENBN
— Lord Bebo (@MyLordBebo) February 17, 2026
“The Devil” is present.. Britain is watching from the hallway!
British National Security Advisor Jonathan Powell and his team are in the lobby of the InterContinental Hotel in Geneva, where the trilateral negotiations have been ongoing for 2.5 hours behind closed… pic.twitter.com/3iuoNmQc7t
— RussiaNews
(@mog_russEN) February 17, 2026
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