Envoys Signal No Breakthrough On Bridging Russia And Ukraine's Political And Military Differences

GENEVA — The latest U.S.-brokered talks betwixt envoys from Moscow and Kyiv complete Russia’s all-out penetration of Ukraine ended Wednesday pinch nary motion of a breakthrough and pinch some sides saying nan talks were “difficult,” arsenic nan war’s 4th day approaches adjacent week.

The negotiations successful Switzerland were nan 3rd information of nonstop talks organized by nan U.S., aft meetings earlier this twelvemonth successful Abu Dhabi that officials described arsenic constructive but which besides made nary awesome headway. Expectations for important advancement successful Geneva were low.

“The negotiations were not easy,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said aft nan talks collapsed up and he said concisely by telephone from Kyiv pinch his negotiating team.

He earlier accused Russia of “trying to resistance retired negotiations” while it presses connected pinch its penetration — an accusation he and European leaders person many times made successful nan past.

Despite that, immoderate advancement was made connected subject issues though governmental differences stay deep, including complete nan early of onshore successful eastbound Ukraine that is occupied by nan Russian service and that Russian President Vladimir Putin wants to keep, Zelensky said.

The caput of nan Russian delegation, Putin advisor Vladimir Medinsky, told reporters that nan 2 days of talks successful Geneva “were difficult but businesslike.”

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters that it’s “too early” to speak astir nan result of nan talks. Putin has been receiving reports astir advancement successful Geneva, he said.

Both sides said a caller information of talks is group to return place.

U.S. will thief show immoderate ceasefire

Zelensky described nan subject discussions arsenic “constructive,” adding that nan equipped forces of some countries considered really immoderate early ceasefire mightiness beryllium monitored.

“Monitoring will decidedly beryllium carried retired pinch information of nan American side,” he said successful a sound connection shared successful a media group chat connected WhatsApp.

President Trump’s envoy, Steve Witkoff, said connected societal media that Washington’s push for bid successful Ukraine complete nan past twelvemonth has “brought astir meaningful progress,” without elaborating.

The 2 armies stay locked successful conflict connected nan astir 750-mile beforehand line, while Russia bombards civilian areas of Ukraine daily.

Hours aft nan first time of talks ended connected Tuesday, Russian drones killed a female and injured a 6-year-old woman and 18-month-old toddler successful nan confederate Ukraine metropolis of Zaporizhzhia, officials said.

Overnight, Russia launched 1 ballistic rocket and 126 long-range drones astatine Ukraine, according to nan Ukrainian aerial force.

Europe is involved

Zelensky said that nan Ukrainian and American envoys successful Geneva met pinch representatives from nan United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy and Switzerland.

Europe’s information successful nan process is “indispensable,” Zelensky said.

European leaders, mindful of Putin’s wider ambitions, opportunity their ain information is astatine liking successful Ukraine and person insisted connected being consulted successful bid efforts.

Russia and Ukraine look to still beryllium acold isolated connected their demands for a settlement.

Zelensky has offered a ceasefire and a face-to-face gathering pinch Putin. But Moscow wants a broad statement earlier committing to a truce.

Putin’s cardinal goals stay what he declared erstwhile Russia invaded its neighbour connected Feb. 24, 2022: Ukraine must renounce joining NATO, sharply trim nan size of its service and protect Russian connection and civilization to support nan state successful Moscow’s orbit.

Additionally, Putin wants Kyiv to retreat its forces from nan 4 eastbound regions Moscow has occupied but doesn’t afloat control.

Zelensky says Ukraine won’t surrender onshore to Russia.

Keaten and Novikov constitute for nan Associated Press. Novikov reported from Kyiv, Ukraine.