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Geneva – The latest round of US-mediated peace talks between Russia and Ukraine concluded Wednesday without a significant breakthrough, despite reported progress on establishing a framework for monitoring a potential ceasefire. The discussions, now in their second day, come as the conflict enters its fourth year, with both sides remaining far apart on key issues.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy described the talks as “difficult” and accused Russia of deliberately delaying progress towards a settlement to end the war, according to Reuters. While acknowledging some advancements, Zelenskyy emphasized that positions remain divergent. The negotiations are taking place against a backdrop of heightened geopolitical tension, with ongoing discussions between the US and Iran in the same city and concerns rising about a potential escalation in the Middle East, as Axios reported Wednesday that the US may be days or weeks away from attacking Iran, sending oil prices higher.
Russia’s chief negotiator, Vladimir Medinsky, characterized the two days of talks as “tough but businesslike,” as reported by the Russian state news agency TASS. The talks were led by the US, with special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, Donald Trump’s son-in-law, at the forefront. Following the US-led discussions, Russian and Ukrainian representatives held a closed-door meeting lasting two hours, according to the Russian news agency RIA Novosti.
Despite the challenging atmosphere, Zelenskyy indicated progress had been made on military matters, specifically regarding the oversight of a possible ceasefire. “Monitoring will definitely be carried out with the participation of the American side,” he stated, as reported by the Ukrainian media outlet Suspilne. Military representatives from all three sides were “constructive” in discussing how a ceasefire could be monitored, Zelenskyy added, though he was not personally present at the negotiations. “In principle, the military understands how to monitor a ceasefire and the end of the war, if there is political will. They basically came to an agreement on almost everything,” the President said.
The political aspects of the negotiations proved more challenging, encompassing “all sensitive issues,” including the status of the Donbas region and the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, Zelenskyy explained. “We witness that there is development, but so far the positions are different, because the negotiations were not easy,” he said. Ukraine’s lead negotiator, Rustem Umerov, described the second day as “intensive and substantive,” stating that both sides were working towards decisions that could be presented to their respective presidents, according to Reuters.
Zelenskyy emphasized the importance of European involvement in the peace process, with Ukrainian and American envoys meeting with representatives from the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, and Switzerland in Geneva. “Europe’s participation in the process is ‘essential’,” Zelenskyy said, as reported by Suspilne. US President Donald Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, stated on social media that Washington’s efforts for peace in Ukraine over the past year have “led to meaningful progress,” without providing further details, according to the Associated Press AP News.
Medinsky confirmed that new rounds of negotiations will take place soon, without specifying a date, according to RIA Novosti. These talks in Geneva represent the third round of direct negotiations organized by the US, following earlier meetings in Abu Dhabi this year, which likewise failed to yield substantial progress.
The ongoing negotiations occur as the conflict continues to impact regional stability and international relations. The Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, currently under Russian control, remains a key point of contention, raising concerns about potential nuclear incidents. The situation is further complicated by the simultaneous US-Iran talks, highlighting the interconnectedness of geopolitical challenges in the region.
What comes next remains uncertain, but further negotiations are expected to take place in the coming weeks. The focus will likely remain on securing a ceasefire agreement and establishing a robust monitoring mechanism. The involvement of European nations and the resolution of sensitive political issues, such as the status of contested territories, will be crucial for achieving a lasting peace.
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