Negotiators from Ukraine and Russia were due to begin a second day of U.S mediated peace talks in Geneva on Wednesday, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy complaining that Washington was putting undue pressure on Kyiv to accept a deal to end the four year war. The talks, hosted at a Swiss government villa on the shores of Lake Geneva, are focused on the highly sensitive question of territory and the possible outlines of a ceasefire and future security arrangements.
Zelenskiy said in a late night address that Tuesday’s opening round had been “difficult,” accusing Russia of trying to drag out negotiations that he believes could already be close to a final stage, while also hinting that some U.S proposals went further than he was comfortable with. “Ukraine will not be forced into any agreement that legitimises occupation,” he said, while stressing that his government is still ready to “quickly pursue a just agreement to end the war” if Russia shows genuine willingness.
The United States, represented by National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan and special envoy for Ukraine negotiations Derek Chollet, has been shuttling between the two delegations and holding separate trilateral sessions. President Donald Trump, who has repeatedly promised to help end the conflict, told reporters earlier in the week that “Ukraine has to come to the table fast,” remarks seen in Kyiv as signalling impatience with Zelenskiy’s red lines.
On the ground, Russian forces still hold large swathes of eastern and southern Ukraine, and Moscow has pushed for recognition of its control over occupied territories as a starting point for any peace deal. Ukraine, however, insists that any settlement must be based on the principles of its internationally recognised borders, in line with U.N resolutions and the ten point peace formula Zelenskiy has championed since 2022.
Ukraine’s chief negotiator Rustem Umerov said the first day of talks dealt mainly with “practical issues and the mechanics of possible decisions,” without going into detail, while Russian media quoted anonymous sources describing the atmosphere as “very tense.” The second day’s agenda was expected to touch more directly on territorial questions, security guarantees and the sequencing of any future ceasefire, troop withdrawals and sanctions relief.
The Geneva dialogue comes as China, the European Union and other international actors continue to push for a broader peace conference that would include both Kyiv and Moscow on equal terms. Diplomats say much will depend on whether the current round of talks can deliver even a basic framework document, or whether entrenched positions on land and justice for war crimes will once again block a breakthrough.
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