Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky acknowledged “important steps” made during peace discussions with U.S. officials in Geneva, highlighting that a significant obstacle remains: Russian President Vladimir Putin’s demand for legal recognition of territories occupied by Russia in eastern Ukraine.
U.S. and Ukrainian officials met in Switzerland to discuss ending the conflict with Russia, reporting “progress” and a commitment to continue negotiations. However, specific details on how to resolve the substantial differences regarding territorial matters and security guarantees for Ukraine have not been disclosed.
It is anticipated that Zelensky will meet with U.S. President Donald Trump to address contentious issues, though no timetable for this has been provided. The question of territorial integrity remains central to the conflict, as Zelensky has voiced concerns about rewarding Russian aggression with land seized through force, arguing that this could set a dangerous precedent.
Following the Geneva talks, Trump noted on social media that “something good just may be happening,” while cautioning that premature optimism should be avoided. Russian representatives did not attend the discussions, and the Kremlin stated it had not received updates on the outcomes. Spokesman Dmitry Peskov indicated that adjustments had been made to a previously welcomed plan drafted by U.S. and Russian officials.
Trump’s comments about a deadline for Ukraine to accept the proposal raised urgency among European leaders. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio described the progress as “tremendous,” while some European leaders expressed skepticism about any imminent breakthroughs.
Ukraine’s leadership remains wary of any agreements that compromise its territorial integrity. Russian demands also include prohibiting Ukraine from joining NATO, which Kyiv sees as essential for its defense and is enshrined in its constitution.
While further negotiations are anticipated, the next steps in the peace process remain uncertain, with no upcoming meetings scheduled between Russian and U.S. negotiators. British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer added that work is still needed for a “just and lasting peace” in Ukraine.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cpd6qd10l94o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss