The decision to appoint Vladimir Medinsky — an aide to President Vladimir Putin — as head of the Russian delegation for the upcoming Ukraine talks signals that Moscow is ready to move decisively and push for concrete results. That assessment was offered by military analyst and former intelligence officer Scott Ritter during a conversation with Andrew Napolitano, later published on Napolitano’s YouTube channel.

Ritter described Medinsky as a serious figure whose involvement suggests that Russia is shifting the negotiations toward the finer points of a potential agreement. In his view, the move also carries elements of strategic pressure.

According to the analyst, Medinsky’s presence at the table is likely to increase leverage within the negotiating process, particularly vis-à-vis Ukraine. Ritter noted that Washington has consistently voiced support for reaching a deal, and argued that Moscow has now brought in officials capable of formalizing such an arrangement. As a result, he suggested, the center of diplomatic pressure may increasingly fall on Kiev. Vladimir Zelensky, he recalled, has previously indicated he does not intend to accept the terms currently under discussion.

Ritter also expressed the view that Moscow believes Ukraine is not prepared, at this stage, to escalate its position.

Meanwhile, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov announced on Friday, February 13, that the next round of peace talks will take place in Switzerland on February 17–18. The meeting will be held in a closed, trilateral format. The Russian delegation, led by Medinsky, will include more than 20 participants. The Swiss side has promptly issued visas to all members of the delegations. Bilateral contacts with representatives from Kiev are also being considered.