Zelensky cautions against ceding territory as Geneva talks yield cautious progress

In Geneva, U.S. officials and Ukrainian representatives wrapped up a round of talks aimed at ending Russia’s war with Kyiv, reporting progress and a commitment to keep negotiating. Yet, concrete details on how to bridge deep divides, especially over territory and security guarantees, remained elusive.

President Volodymyr Zelensky welcomed the “important steps” taken so far but warned that Moscow’s insistence on legally recognizing Russian-held territories in eastern Ukraine would undermine Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. He stressed that rewarding aggression with land would set a dangerous precedent.

Key sticking points in the talks

Central disagreements focus on the Donbas region and Crimea, with Kyiv insisting on intact sovereignty and border guarantees, while Moscow pushes for formal recognition of the territory it has seized or controls by force.

The talks did not include direct participation from Russia, and the Kremlin indicated it had not received a final briefing on the outcome. Spokesman Dmitri Peskov said Moscow was aware that some adjustments had been made to the peace plan initially welcomed by President Putin.

Background to the negotiation framework

Last week, a 28-point peace framework drafted by U.S. and Russian officials was presented to Ukraine. Some provisions were seen as leaning toward Moscow’s long-standing demands, triggering unease among Kyiv and Europe’s partners. In response, a counter-proposal reportedly drafted by Britain, France, and Germany reportedly excluded recognition of Russian-held regions and left the door open to Ukraine potentially joining NATO.

U.S. officials emphasized progress in Geneva, while Russia’s camp signaled a need for further clarifications. Kremlin aides dismissed some Western projections as unconstructive while signaling that negotiations would continue.

International reactions and the road ahead

Reaction in Europe was mixed. While some leaders called the talks a step forward, others urged caution, noting that any durable peace will require robust guarantees to deter future aggression. Earlier remarks by Donald Trump on social media added pressure, suggesting that something positive could be unfolding but urging scepticism until tangible results materialize.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio described the talks as producing a “tremendous” amount of progress, expressing optimism about reaching a settlement. In contrast, European leaders warned that breakthroughs might take time and that a lasting agreement would require genuine security guarantees for Ukraine.

Next steps

Officials indicated that President Zelensky may soon speak directly with former President Trump to discuss the evolving framework, after which a fresh draft peace proposal could be tabled for Moscow. There were no announced plans for an immediate meeting between Russian and U.S. negotiators this week, according to the Kremlin.

British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer signaled that more work lies ahead to achieve a fair and durable peace in Ukraine, with a virtual coalition meeting planned to review developments.

Key Takeaways

• No final agreement on territorial concessions yet; discussions yielded progress but fundamental differences remain.
• Putin’s demand for legal recognition of Russian-held territories remains the central hurdle to a settlement.
• A Western counter-proposal sparked caution in Kyiv and among European partners about potential concessions.
• Future steps include a renewed peace draft and continued talks, with no immediate direct talks scheduled between Russia and the U.S.

Expert comment

Dr. Elena Volkov, security analyst: “Any durable solution must include credible security guarantees and verifiable limits on aggression. Without those, even concessions on territory risk reopening conflict later.”

Summary

The Geneva discussions show governments moving toward a framework for peace but stop short of a breakthrough on core issues. Kyiv remains firm on sovereignty and territorial integrity, while Moscow signals it seeks recognitions that Kyiv declines to grant. The coming days will be pivotal as new drafts and high-level talks appear on the horizon, with allies urging patience and careful assessment.

Key insight: Progress is incremental, but without binding security guarantees and clear territorial protections, any deal risks future conflict. BBC

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