GENEVA: Two days of negotiations between Ukraine and Russia concluded in Geneva on Wednesday without any significant progress, as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Moscow of delaying US-led efforts to end the four-year war.
Kyiv has faced mounting pressure from US President Donald Trump to reach an agreement, even if it involves difficult compromises, while Russian forces continue strikes on Ukraine’s power infrastructure and push forward on the battlefield.
The talks, held at a hotel in the Swiss city, were mediated by US envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner. Zelensky had earlier described the first day of discussions as “difficult,” later stating on X that Russia appeared to be dragging out negotiations that could have already reached a final phase.
Shortly after his remarks, both sides ended the discussions, saying they would reconvene at a later date, though no timeline was announced. Russia’s chief negotiator, former culture minister Vladimir Medinsky, called the talks “difficult but business-like.”
According to Ukrainian officials, the formal agenda focused on territorial disputes in eastern Ukraine and the future of the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant — long-standing sticking points. Moscow is demanding that Kyiv cede around 20 per cent of the Donetsk region still under Ukrainian control, a proposal Kyiv has firmly rejected. Ukraine, in turn, wants the Zaporizhzhia plant — Europe’s largest nuclear facility — to be jointly operated by the US and Ukraine, a plan Russia opposes.
The Geneva meeting coincided with the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion, a conflict that has caused massive casualties, displaced millions and devastated cities across Ukraine.
Trump has recently urged Kyiv to act swiftly, warning that Ukraine “better come to the table fast.” In an interview with Axios, Zelensky said it was unfair for Washington to publicly press Ukraine for concessions while not applying the same pressure on Russia. He also reiterated that any proposal requiring Ukraine to relinquish territory not captured by Russia would be rejected in a national referendum.
The Geneva round followed two earlier US-brokered meetings in Abu Dhabi that also failed to yield progress. While expressing gratitude for US mediation, Zelensky has voiced concern that upcoming US congressional mid-term elections could shift Washington’s focus away from efforts to end the war.
Kyiv continues to seek firm US-backed security guarantees to deter future Russian aggression in the event of a peace agreement. US Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll and Brigadier General Michael Adamski participated in related three-way military discussions on Wednesday, a US official confirmed.