Talks in Geneva between the US and Ukraine aimed at ending the war with Russia have concluded, with officials from both sides reporting progress and an intention to continue working.
However, no details have emerged on how to bridge the considerable divide between Moscow and Kyiv over territorial issues and security guarantees for Ukraine.
Ukraine's president Volodymyr Zelensky welcomed the important steps that had been made but warned that the main problem facing the peace talks was Vladimir Putin's demand for legal recognition of Russian-occupied territories in eastern Ukraine.
This would break the principle of territorial integrity and sovereignty, he said, highlighting concerns that Moscow could be rewarded for its aggression with land it seized by force.
Meanwhile, President Donald Trump suggested on social media that something good just may be happening, but with the caveat: Don't believe it until you see it. The Geneva talks did not involve Russian representatives and the Kremlin indicated it hadn’t received any information on the outcome of the discussions.
A 28-point peace plan drafted by US and Russian officials was presented to Ukraine last week. Several of its elements seemed heavily geared towards Moscow's longstanding demands, sparking consternation in Kyiv and its European allies.
Comments by Trump suggested Ukraine had until Thursday to accept the deal or face serious cuts in US support, creating a sense of urgency across Europe and leading to hastily convened talks between Ukraine and US officials.
Despite last week's frenzied diplomacy, the next steps in the process remain unclear, with Zelensky expected to engage further with Trump and other leaders in the pursuit of a new draft peace plan. European leaders expressed caution about the prospects for peace, emphasizing the need for careful deliberation on Ukraine's sovereignty.
