Geneva (TDI): Peace negotiations between Ukraine and Russia concluded in Geneva after just two hours on Wednesday, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy describing the discussions as “difficult” and accusing Moscow of intentionally slowing the process aimed at ending the four-year conflict.
The talks, mediated by the United States and held in Switzerland over two days, come amid growing pressure from US President Donald Trump, who has recently suggested that it is up to Kyiv to ensure meaningful progress in negotiations.
Speaking to reporters shortly after the session ended, Zelenskiy acknowledged that some movement had been made but emphasized that significant differences remain. He said the negotiations were challenging and that the two sides’ positions continue to diverge.
Ukraine’s defense minister, Rustem Umerov, who is leading Kyiv’s delegation, described the second day as “intensive and substantive.” According to Umerov, both delegations are working on proposals that could eventually be presented to their respective presidents for consideration.
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On the Russian side, chief negotiator Vladimir Medinsky said further talks would take place soon but did not provide a timeline. Earlier in the day, Zelenskiy had accused Russia of dragging out discussions that he believes could already be nearing a final phase.
Ukrainian officials have frequently alleged that Moscow is not negotiating in good faith, particularly as Russian forces continue airstrikes on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure and maintain offensive operations on the battlefield.
In an interview with the US outlet Axios published Tuesday, Zelenskiy criticized what he described as unfair pressure from Washington. He expressed concern that President Trump had repeatedly called on Ukraine, rather than Russia, to make concessions in pursuit of a peace agreement. Trump told reporters earlier this week that Ukraine should come to the negotiating table quickly.
Zelenskiy also made clear that any proposal requiring Ukraine to relinquish territory in the eastern Donbas region that Russia has not captured would likely be rejected by the Ukrainian public if put to a referendum. He suggested he hoped Trump’s remarks were part of a negotiating strategy rather than a firm policy decision.
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The Geneva discussions come just days before the fourth anniversary of Russia’s 2022 invasion. The war has resulted in hundreds of thousands of casualties, displaced millions of people, and caused widespread destruction across Ukrainian cities and towns. Russia denies deliberately targeting civilians.
