Geneva — The United States says “meaningful progress” has been made in the latest round of talks between Ukraine and Russia, now entering their second day in Switzerland. The negotiations, mediated by US special envoy Steve Witkoff, mark the third trilateral attempt to find a path toward ending the nearly four-year-long war.
Witkoff wrote on X that President Donald Trump’s efforts to bring both sides together have yielded progress, adding the US remains committed to stopping the conflict. The talks are also being facilitated by senior adviser Jared Kushner.
However, despite diplomatic movement, hopes for a breakthrough remain low amid deep divisions over territory, security guarantees, and political demands.
Zelensky: “Not fair” to demand compromises only from Ukraine
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky criticised what he described as repeated pressure from President Trump for Ukraine to compromise, saying:
“Peace wouldn’t be achieved if victory is handed to Russia.”
Zelensky told Axios he hoped Trump’s approach was “just his tactics and not the decision”.
Ukraine maintains it cannot be forced into concessions that reward Russia’s invasion, stressing that any settlement must include strong security guarantees from the West, particularly the US.
Russia maintains maximalist territorial demands
Russia currently occupies around 20% of Ukraine, including large parts of the Donbas. The Kremlin insists Ukraine must hand over the remaining territory in the region — a demand Kyiv has firmly rejected.
The Russian delegation is headed by presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky, with RIA reporting that Tuesday’s six-hour negotiations were “tense”, taking place in a mix of bilateral and trilateral formats.
Ukraine signals willingness for limited restraint
In a video address, Zelensky said Ukraine was prepared to refrain from certain strikes, a proposal reportedly presented by the US to both Kyiv and Moscow.
“We don’t need war. We are defending our state, our independence,” he said.
Ukraine’s top negotiator, Rustem Umerov, said the first day focused on “practical issues and the mechanics of possible solutions.”
Talks resume ahead of invasion anniversary
The Geneva discussions come just one week before the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022.
Meanwhile, the conflict continued overnight:
- Russia claimed to have shot down 43 Ukrainian drones over several regions and Crimea.
- Ukraine reported a massive 126-drone attack launched by Russia, saying 100 were intercepted before reaching targets.