Select Language:
Peace negotiations between Ukraine and Russia in Geneva concluded after just two hours, with President Volodymyr Zelenskiy describing the session as “challenging” and accusing Russia of purposely stalling progress toward a resolution to end the ongoing four-year conflict.
The US-organized talks in Switzerland took place amid recent comments from President Donald Trump, who suggested twice that Ukraine and Zelenskiy bear responsibility for ensuring the talks’ success.
“While some progress has been achieved, the differences in positions remain because the negotiations were tough,” Zelenskiy told reporters via WhatsApp shortly after they wrapped up.
Rustem Umerov, head of Kyiv’s negotiating team, added that the second day was “intensive and meaningful.” Both parties aim to prepare decisions that can be presented to their respective presidents.
Russia’s lead negotiator, ex-culture minister Vladimir Medinsky, stated that further talks would happen soon but did not specify when. Earlier, Zelenskiy accused Russia of “trying to prolong negotiations that could have already reached the final stage.”
Ukrainian officials often allege Moscow— which has conducted a winter bombing campaign against Ukraine’s energy infrastructure and maintains its military offensive— is negotiating in bad faith.
In a Tuesday interview with Axios, Zelenskiy criticized Trump for publicly urging Ukraine to make concessions during peace talks, implying it’s unfair that the U.S. president singles out Ukraine rather than Russia.
Trump on Monday urged fast talks, saying, “Ukraine better come to the table quickly, that’s all I’m telling you.”
Zelenskiy also indicated that any peace plan asking Ukraine to relinquish territory not yet controlled by Russia would be rejected in a referendum, if that’s how Ukrainians voted.
“I hope these are just tactics rather than actual decisions,” Zelenskiy was quoted as saying.
The talks occurred days before the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022. The conflict has caused hundreds of thousands of deaths, displaced millions, and left numerous cities, towns, and villages in ruins.
Russia denies intentionally targeting civilians.
Umerov mentioned that the first day focused on “practical issues and decision-making mechanics,” but did not elaborate. Russian sources reported the day was “very tense” and lasted six hours across various bilateral and trilateral formats.
In European markets, Ukrainian bond prices dropped by nearly 2 cents on the dollar amid reports of stalled progress.
Before negotiations, Umerov tempered expectations, stating Kyiv was working “without over-optimism.”
This Geneva meeting followed two rounds of US-mediated discussions in Abu Dhabi that failed to produce significant breakthroughs, mainly due to disagreements over territorial control in eastern Ukraine.
Russia occupies roughly 20% of Ukraine, including Crimea and parts of the Donbas region, which it seized before its full invasion in 2022. Recent airstrikes targeting energy facilities have left hundreds of thousands without heat and electricity in the midst of a severe winter.
ChatGPT
Perplexity
Gemini AI
Grok AI
