Russia-Ukraine Peace Talks in Geneva Conclude Without Concrete Agreement

Geneva. Two days of talks between Russia and Ukraine in Geneva aimed at ending the war have concluded without any concrete agreement. Both sides stated that the talks proceeded in a tough but formal manner. 

The negotiations were mediated by the United States. Previous US-mediated talks were held in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in early January and February.

The main point of contention in the talks was territory. Russia insisted that Ukraine must cede the remaining approximately 20 percent of the eastern Donetsk region. However, Ukraine rejected this demand, stating it required strong security guarantees from Western nations to prevent future attacks after any potential agreement.

The chief Russian negotiator, Vladimir Medinsky, described the two-day discussion as difficult but functional. While he signaled that further talks would occur soon, he did not specify a date. The head of the Ukrainian team, Rustem Umerov, called the second day of the meeting in-depth and substantive.  

According to him, both sides are working towards decisions that can be presented to their respective presidents. Efforts to end the Russia-Ukraine war, which has been ongoing for nearly four years, continue, but no decisive progress has been made so far.