Russia says bilateral contact with Ukraine during trilateral talks not ruled out

The bilateral contact between Russia and Ukraine during the new round of talks among Russia, the United States and Ukraine is not ruled out, Russian sources said.

According to earlier reports, delegations from Russia, the United States and Ukraine are set to hold their new round of talks in Geneva on Tuesday and Wednesday.

The Russian delegation led by presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky will arrive Geneva on Tuesday morning to attend this round of talks. The U.S. delegation will be represented by U.S. presidential special envoy Steve Witkoff and former White House senior adviser Jared Kushner, while Rustem Umerov, secretary of Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council will be in the Ukrainian delegation.

A source said that this trilateral meeting is scheduled to discuss the key factors for resolving the Ukraine issue, including military, political and humanitarian aspects. During the trilateral talks, Russia and Ukraine may have bilateral contact, Russian news agency RIA Novosti reported.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Monday that this meeting will discuss a wider range of issues, including the territorial issue.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on the same day that according to Ukrainian intelligence, Russia is planning to launch a new large-scale attack on Ukraine's energy infrastructure during this trilateral meeting, which will make it even more difficult to reach an agreement.

The Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs said on Monday evening that the new round of trilateral talks will be held behind closed doors and media representatives are not permitted to attend it.

Since the beginning of 2026, representatives of the three countries have held two rounds of talks in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). But the ground battles and long-range strikes between the Russian and Ukrainian military forces are still ongoing.

Russia says bilateral contact with Ukraine during trilateral talks not ruled out

Hamas on Monday accused Israel of committing a "blatant violation" of the agreed mechanisms for operating the Rafah crossing, which were stipulated in the ongoing ceasefire agreement.

In a press statement, the movement said that despite the reopening of the crossing in both directions, Israel has violated its operational framework and carried out systematic abuses against Palestinians returning to Gaza, including physical and psychological mistreatment and harsh interrogation.

According to Hamas, Israel has failed to adhere to daily quotas for those exiting or entering Gaza, endangering thousands of patients and wounded individuals with medical referrals abroad.

It urged mediators and guarantor states to intervene and compel Israel to open the crossing in accordance with international humanitarian law.

The office of the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT), a body under Israel's Defense Ministry, said Sunday that about 320 patients and escorts had exited Gaza through the crossing over the past two weeks, and a similar number of people had entered the enclave during this period.

"Gazans passing through the Rafah crossing are contingent upon the submission of approved passenger lists by the Egyptian authorities and the World Health Organization and the crossing's capacity," COGAT said on social media, claiming that Israel continues to "facilitate the entry and exit of Gazans" through the crossing "in line with the agreed framework".

The Rafah crossing had remained largely closed since Israeli forces seized control of it in May 2024, worsening Gaza's humanitarian situation. Its limited operation resumed on Feb. 2 under the latest ceasefire agreement taking effect on Oct. 10, 2025.

Hamas accuses Israel of violating Rafah crossing operational mechanisms