Diplomatic efforts to end the four-year war between Russia and Ukraine entered a new phase on Tuesday, as representatives from both countries wrapped up the opening day of US-facilitated talks in Geneva.
Despite hopes for progress, ongoing hostilities and deep divisions on territorial demands continue to cast doubt over any immediate breakthrough.
Ukraine’s chief negotiator Rustem Umerov confirmed the talks would resume Wednesday morning, emphasizing that discussions focused on "practical issues and the mechanics of possible solutions". He also noted he would brief Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on the outcomes.
In his evening address, Zelensky said Ukraine was willing to hold back from strikes previously suggested by the United States to both Kyiv and Moscow.
"We don't need war," he said, stressing that Ukrainians were "defending our state, our independence".
"We are also ready to quickly move towards a worthy agreement to end the war. The question is only for the Russians: what do they want?"
The Kremlin, however, has not softened its stance. Russia maintains its demand for Ukraine to hand over additional territories, a position firmly rejected by Kyiv.
According to Russia’s RIA news agency, Tuesday’s six-hour session was tense and took place in a mix of bilateral and trilateral meetings. Mediators included Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner for the United States, while Russia was represented by top negotiator Vladimir Medinsky, an aide to President Vladimir Putin. Senior military officials from both sides also attended.
Ahead of the talks, US President Donald Trump urged Ukraine to "come to the table fast," reflecting frustration over slow progress in resolving the conflict that began in February 2022.
While the diplomats met, the fighting continued unabated. Russia launched a massive aerial assault on Ukraine just hours before the Geneva session, targeting 12 regions with nearly 30 missiles and 400 drones. Ukrainian authorities reported at least three fatalities.
Deputy Energy Minister Artem Nekrasov said three energy workers were killed near Slovyansk, while nine others, including children, were injured. President Zelensky added that over ten residential buildings were damaged and railway infrastructure was disrupted.
Foreign Minister Andrii Sybhiha condemned the attacks, highlighting the "extent to which Russia disregards peace efforts". Zelensky wrote on X that "Russia must be held to account for its aggression" and warned that meaningful peace must address the source of the conflict.
Thousands were left without power in Odesa, Ukraine’s southern port city, after Russian strikes damaged key energy infrastructure. DTEK, the country’s largest private energy company, said repairing the damage would be a long process, describing the situation as "incredibly serious".
The attacks have deepened Ukraine’s energy crisis, with winter conditions compounding the effects of repeated Russian assaults. Ukraine also struck back overnight, hitting the Ilsky oil refinery in Russia’s Krasnodar region, which caught fire along with a reservoir storing oil products. The Belgorod border area saw dozens of drones launched by Ukraine, causing heavy damage to power infrastructure.
Currently, Russia controls around 20 percent of Ukraine, including major parts of the eastern Donbas region, and seeks to annex additional areas. Ukraine insists that strong security guarantees from Western allies are essential before agreeing to any settlement.
These Geneva talks follow last month’s trilateral meetings in Abu Dhabi, the first three-way engagement between Russia, Ukraine and the US since the war began. Although no deal was reached then, the discussions were followed by the first prisoner of war exchanges in months.
