Ukrainian and Russian delegations have entered a second day of mediated discussions in Geneva as President Volodymyr Zelenskiy questions the fairness of the diplomatic pressure being applied by Washington.
As the four-year conflict continues to reshape the geopolitical landscape of Eastern Europe, delegations from Ukraine and Russia have reconvened in Geneva for a critical second day of negotiations. The diplomatic effort, mediated by the United States, is currently taking place against a backdrop of public friction between Kyiv and Washington.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has voiced concerns over the nature of the American mediation, suggesting that the current administration is placing an asymmetrical burden on Ukraine to find a resolution to the hostilities.
Territorial integrity and the public mandate
A primary point of contention in the ongoing dialogue is the future of the Donbas region. President Zelenskyy has made it clear that his government will not agree to any settlement that mandates the surrender of land currently held by Ukrainian forces in the east. In a recent interview, he emphasised that such a proposal would be an impossibility for the Ukrainian people to accept.
Regarding the prospect of ceding uncaptured territory, Zelenskyy noted that any plan requiring Ukraine to give up territory that Russia had not captured in the eastern Donbas region would be rejected by Ukrainians if put to a referendum. He expressed concern over the public demands coming from the White House, stating that it was “not fair” that Trump kept publicly calling on Ukraine, not Russia, to make concessions in negotiating terms for a peace plan.
High stakes and the pressure for faster results
The urgency of the talks has been punctuated by direct messages from President Donald Trump, who has urged the parties to reach an agreement without delay. Speaking to the press earlier this week, Trump issued a blunt ultimatum, saying: “Ukraine better come to the table fast. That’s all I’m telling you.”
While Zelenskiy finds the public rhetoric difficult, he has maintained a positive view of the direct working relationship with American envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. He noted that these private discussions are markedly different from the public pressure, though he remains wary of the ultimate strategy, stating: “I hope it is just his tactics and not the decision.”
Pragmatic discussions amidst a tense atmosphere
On the ground in Switzerland, the lead negotiator for Ukraine, Rustem Umerov, has characterised the proceedings as highly technical. Following the initial sessions, Umerov indicated that Tuesday’s talks had focused on “practical issues and the mechanics of possible decisions,” without providing details. This clinical approach contrasts with the description from Russian sources, who labelled the six-hour sessions as “very tense.”
Despite the friction, American mediators are optimistic about the trajectory of the dialogue. Following the conclusion of the first day, Witkoff noted on social media that “both parties agreed to update their respective leaders and continue working towards a deal.” As the second day begins, the central question remains whether Moscow is truly prepared to find a “worthy agreement to end the war,” as Zelenskiy puts it, or if the two sides remain fundamentally irreconcilable on the issue of sovereignty.
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