Russia-Ukraine Talks Show ‘Meaningful Progress’

US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff said negotiators made “meaningful progress” during the first day of Russia-Ukraine peace talks in Geneva, as both sides entered a second round of discussions on Wednesday.

The United States is mediating the negotiations in Switzerland, with Witkoff and Jared Kushner representing Washington. Russian President Vladimir Putin appointed aide Vladimir Medinsky as Moscow’s lead negotiator, while Ukraine sent Defence Minister Rustem Umerov to represent Kyiv.

Russia Negotiations Continue in Geneva

Despite the diplomatic movement, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed frustration. He said it was unfair for Trump to repeatedly ask Ukraine to compromise while Russia maintains its territorial demands. Zelensky warned that peace cannot succeed if negotiators hand victory to Russia.

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Russia currently controls about 20% of Ukrainian territory, including large parts of the Donbas region. The Kremlin continues to demand that Ukraine surrender the remaining parts of the region, a condition Kyiv firmly rejects. Ukraine insists that Western nations, especially the United States, must provide strong security guarantees before any final settlement.

During the first day of talks, negotiators focused on technical details and possible frameworks for agreement. Zelensky said Ukraine is ready to halt strikes if Russia reciprocates, emphasizing that Ukrainians are defending their sovereignty and independence.

Meanwhile, fighting continues. Russia reported that its air defenses shot down 43 Ukrainian drones overnight. A day earlier, Russian forces launched a large aerial attack across 12 Ukrainian regions, deploying 400 drones and nearly 30 missiles. Ukrainian officials confirmed at least three deaths. Diplomatic discussions continue as both sides prepare for further negotiations, though major breakthroughs remain uncertain.

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