Russia and Ukraine begin third round of U.S.-brokered peace talks in Geneva
Delegations met in Switzerland as Russian strikes killed at least three people overnight, with both sides maintaining hardline positions on territory and security guarantees.
6 hrs ago
Russian and Ukrainian negotiators began a third round of U.S.-mediated peace talks in Geneva on Tuesday, with representatives from Washington also in attendance. The two-day meeting comes a week before the fourth anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24.
Expectations for a breakthrough remain low. Moscow and Kyiv remain far apart on two fundamental issues: Russia's demand for internationally recognized ownership of occupied territory in eastern Ukraine, and security guarantees for Kyiv from Western partners, particularly the United States, once a ceasefire is implemented. Russia currently controls approximately 20 percent of Ukrainian territory.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said the Geneva talks would address a broader range of issues than earlier discussions held in Abu Dhabi this month, including territorial questions and other demands put forward by Moscow. Vladimir Medinsky, a Putin adviser, heads Russia's negotiating team. Ukraine's delegation includes Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council Rustem Umerov, Head of the President's Office Kyrylo Budanov, and Chief of the General Staff Andriy Hnatov.
Hours before the delegations convened, Russia carried out a large combined aerial assault on Ukraine, striking 12 regions with 400 drones and nearly 30 missiles. At least three people were killed and nine injured in the overnight attack. In the Sumy region, a 68-year-old woman was killed when drones struck a residential building; six family members were injured, including two children aged 7 and 15. Power infrastructure in Odessa sustained what officials described as "incredibly serious" damage that would take months to repair.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said Russia's strikes demonstrated the "extent to which Russia disregards peace efforts." President Volodymyr Zelensky characterized the attack as a deliberate show of force timed to undermine negotiations.
Moscow said Ukraine launched 150 drones against targets in Russia, setting an oil refinery ablaze. Russian strikes on Ukraine continue on a nightly basis, further damaging the country's power grid as subzero temperatures persist.
U.S. President Donald Trump said ahead of the talks that Ukraine should "better come to the table fast." Speaking to journalists aboard Air Force One on Monday, Trump described the negotiations as "big" and stated, "We are in a position that we want them to come."
The talks are scheduled to continue through Wednesday. Russia has not wavered from its maximalist territorial demands despite the grinding nature of the conflict, which has cost Russia over a million casualties according to assessments cited by sources.