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US envoy cites progress in Geneva negotiations
Steve Witkoff, the United States special envoy, described ongoing talks between Ukrainian and Russian delegations in Geneva as having achieved "meaningful progress" toward ending the war. The negotiations entered their second day on Wednesday, following an initial round of discussions.
Low expectations for breakthrough
Despite Witkoff's optimistic assessment, hopes for a significant breakthrough remain dim. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky criticized U.S. President Donald Trump's repeated calls for Ukraine to compromise, stating that "peace wouldn't be achieved if victory is handed to Russia."
Trump has framed the success of the talks as Ukraine's responsibility, without directly addressing Russia's role in the conflict.
Kremlin坚持领土要求
The Kremlin has maintained its hardline stance, demanding Ukrainian territorial concessions. Russia currently occupies approximately 20% of Ukraine, including large swaths of the eastern Donbas region. Moscow seeks further control over the area, a demand Kyiv has firmly rejected.
Ukraine insists that robust security guarantees from Western nations, particularly the U.S., must precede any potential settlement with Russia.
Zelensky questions Trump's approach
In an interview with Axios on Tuesday, Zelensky expressed frustration over Trump's repeated calls for Ukraine to negotiate, calling it "not fair." He added, "I hope it is just his tactics and not the decision."
Later that evening, Ukraine's chief negotiator, Umerov, stated that the first day of talks had focused on "practical issues and the mechanics of possible solutions."
Ukraine signals readiness for de-escalation
In a video address, Zelensky affirmed Ukraine's willingness to halt strikes if Russia reciprocates, a proposal put forward by the U.S. to both sides. "We don't need war," he said, emphasizing that Ukrainians are "defending our state, our independence."
He added that Ukraine is prepared to move swiftly toward a "worthy agreement" to end the conflict, but questioned Russia's intentions: "The question is only for the Russians: What do they want?"
Tense negotiations and military updates
The talks, mediated by Witkoff and Jared Kushner, Trump's son-in-law, mark the third round of trilateral negotiations. Russia's state news agency RIA reported that Tuesday's six-hour session was tense, conducted in both bilateral and trilateral formats.
On the Russian side, President Vladimir Putin's aide, Vladimir Medinsky, leads the delegation. The negotiations coincide with the fourth anniversary of Moscow's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, set to be marked next week.
Overnight into Wednesday, Russia's defense ministry claimed to have shot down 43 Ukrainian drones over several Russian regions and Crimea. Meanwhile, Ukraine's air force reported that Russia launched 126 attack drones at Ukraine, with preliminary data suggesting 100 were intercepted before reaching their targets.
