After hours of diplomacy in Geneva, Ukraine’s president delivered a blunt verdict: progress, yes — breakthrough, no.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Wednesday that the latest round of US-brokered talks with Russia was not sufficient, even though some military issues were discussed seriously and substantively.
“As of today, we cannot say that the outcome of the meetings in Geneva is sufficient,” Zelenskyy said in a video message posted on X.
The talks, held in Switzerland and brokered by the United States, marked the third direct round of negotiations this year between Kyiv and Moscow. Expectations had been modest. Results were even more so.
Zelenskyy said that while military representatives made headway on certain matters, the most difficult questions remain unresolved.
“Sensitive political matters, issues of possible compromises, and the necessary meeting of leaders have not yet been sufficiently worked through,” he said.
That includes potential trade-offs to end the war — and any prospect of a face-to-face meeting between leaders.
Ukraine is pushing for another round of talks later this month. “We are counting on the next meeting, and it would be right for it to take place still in February,” Zelenskyy added.
Even as negotiators met in Geneva, fighting continued across the roughly 1,250-kilometer front line.
Hours after the first day of talks, Russian drones struck the southern city of Zaporizhzhia, killing a woman and injuring two young children, Ukrainian officials said.
Overnight, Russia launched a ballistic missile and 126 long-range drones at Ukraine, according to the Ukrainian air force.
On the Russian side, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said it was too early to discuss outcomes, adding that President Vladimir Putin was receiving updates from Geneva.
However, the gulf between both sides remains wide.
Putin has repeatedly insisted that Ukraine renounce Nato membership, reduce its armed forces and withdraw from four eastern regions Moscow claims to have annexed.
Zelenskyy has drawn a red line on territorial concessions, saying Ukraine will not surrender land.
As the war approaches its fourth anniversary, diplomacy continues — cautiously, haltingly — against the backdrop of missiles and drones.
– Ends
With inputs from Associated Press
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