Trump Urges Ukraine to Negotiate ‘Fast’ in Geneva

Russian and Ukrainian delegations met in Geneva on Tuesday for another round of talks aimed at ending the nearly four-year-long war, as US President Donald Trump called on Kyiv to move quickly in negotiations.

Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One while travelling to Washington, Trump said, “Ukraine better come to the table, fast.” He has positioned himself as seeking to broker peace in the conflict that began when Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022.

Two earlier rounds of talks mediated by the United States this year did not produce major progress.

Geneva talks resume

According to the Kremlin, the Geneva discussions are being held behind closed doors without media access. Earlier talks were conducted in Abu Dhabi.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said his delegation had arrived in Geneva on Monday. A source from the Russian delegation confirmed their team reached the Swiss city early Tuesday.

The negotiations come amid continued fighting on the ground. Russia said it had repelled more than 150 drones overnight. Ukrainian officials in the port city of Odesa reported damage to buildings and at least two people injured following a drone strike.

Key disagreements remain

The war has become Europe’s deadliest conflict since World War II. Hundreds of thousands have reportedly been killed, and millions have been displaced from their homes. Large parts of eastern and southern Ukraine have suffered extensive damage.

Russia currently controls around one-fifth of Ukrainian territory, including Crimea, which it annexed in 2014, and areas taken during the 2022 invasion. Moscow has demanded that Ukrainian forces withdraw from certain contested and strategically significant regions as part of any peace agreement.

Kyiv has rejected those demands, describing them as politically and militarily unacceptable. Ukrainian officials have repeatedly said that strong security guarantees from Western partners must be part of any settlement.

On Monday, Zelensky posted on social media that Russia continued military operations even ahead of the talks. He said only sustained pressure on Moscow and clear security commitments for Ukraine could realistically end the war.

Battlefield developments

Recent fighting has seen shifting frontlines. An analysis by AFP, based on data from the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), indicated that Ukrainian forces recaptured 201 square kilometres last week.

The gains were reportedly concentrated about 80 kilometres east of Zaporizhzhia, a region that is home to Europe’s largest nuclear power plant, currently under Russian control. The plant remains a significant issue in negotiations.

The ISW suggested that Ukrainian advances may have been aided by communication challenges faced by Russian forces, including reduced access to satellite systems.

Negotiation teams

For the Geneva talks, Russia has reinstated former culture minister Vladimir Medinsky as its lead negotiator. A Kremlin spokesperson said the discussions would cover a broader set of issues, including territorial matters and other demands.

Ukraine’s delegation is being led by former defence minister Rustem Umerov.

The White House is expected to send Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and businessman Jared Kushner to participate in the diplomatic effort.

Despite renewed talks, major differences remain between the two sides. With fighting ongoing and core demands unresolved, the outcome of the Geneva round remains uncertain.