Geneva meetings fail to resolve key issues
Trilateral Ukraine peace talks involving Russia, Ukraine, and the US concluded in Geneva without a breakthrough.
Meetings extended late into Tuesday but lasted only two hours on Wednesday. While US envoy Steve Witkoff expressed optimism, both Russia’s chief negotiator and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky described discussions as “difficult”.
Some progress on military issues
According to a Ukrainian diplomatic source, some progress was made on military matters, including the front-line location and ceasefire monitoring. However, no agreement was reached on territory, a precondition for any ceasefire. Moscow insists on full control of the eastern Donbas region, including Donetsk and Luhansk, which Ukraine rejects.
Divergent positions remain
Kremlin negotiator Vladimir Medinsky said the talks were “businesslike” and hinted at another meeting “soon”. Zelensky called the negotiations “not easy” due to the vast differences between the sides. Ukrainian negotiator Rustem Umerov added the discussions had been “substantive and intensive,” though no details could be disclosed.
Zelensky accused Russia of “trying to drag out negotiations that could already have reached the final stage”. US President Donald Trump also expressed impatience with the deadlock, urging Ukraine to negotiate quickly, a demand Zelensky rejected.
Security and strategic concerns
Kyiv remains firm against relinquishing Donbas, citing the risk of future Russian aggression. Zelensky compared potential concessions to the 1938 Munich Agreement, warning Ukrainians would reject any plan to hand over the region in a referendum.
The status of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant remains another sticking point. Under Russian control since March 2022, Ukraine seeks its return or shared oversight with the US, an arrangement Moscow is unlikely to accept.
European involvement
Officials from Britain, France, Germany, and Italy attended Geneva talks on the sidelines. Zelensky emphasised that European participation is “indispensable” for any final agreement.
War continues amid talks
Next Tuesday marks four years since Russia’s full-scale invasion. Tens of thousands of military and civilian casualties have occurred, millions have been displaced, and daily attacks continue to affect Ukraine.
Also read: Geneva talks yield “meaningful progress” – Warnings of unfair compromises
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