U.S. President Donald Trump urged Ukraine to begin negotiations with Russia “quickly” on Monday, ahead of a new round of talks between Moscow and Kyiv in Geneva, facilitated by Washington.
Diplomatic Push Amidst Ongoing Conflict
“Ukraine had better sit down at the table quickly,” Trump stated to reporters while traveling to Washington. He characterized the upcoming conversations as “exceptionally important” and asserted, “It’s going to be very easy. That’s all I’ll say. We’re in a position to do it. We seek them to come.”
The Geneva meeting follows two prior rounds of U.S.-mediated contacts in Abu Dhabi, which did not yield any decisive progress. Both sides publicly described those exchanges as productive, but fundamental disagreements remain, particularly regarding territorial issues—the central point of contention since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Trump is advocating for a negotiated resolution to the war and will send his principal emissary, Steve Witkoff, along with his son-in-law and former advisor Jared Kushner, as part of the U.S. Delegation. Russia’s delegation will be led by former Culture Minister Vladimir Medinski, while Ukraine will be represented by Rustem Umerov, head of the National Security Council, and other officials.
Moscow continues to demand significant territorial and political concessions from Ukraine, demands that Kyiv rejects as tantamount to surrender. Positions remain distant concerning the status of occupied territories and future security guarantees.
Alongside the diplomatic pressure, Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelensky warned on Monday that Russia is preparing a “massive” attack on the country’s energy infrastructure. He stated he has instructed authorities to reinforce the security of strategic facilities in anticipation of potential new bombardments.
Zelensky also addressed the planned negotiations in Geneva, asserting that Ukraine should not “repeat mistakes and cede part of the territory” to Russia. He argued that the ambitions of Russian President Vladimir Putin cannot be curbed with “kisses and flowers.”
The Ukrainian government maintains that any agreement on territorial issues must be discussed at the leadership level and not limited to technical negotiations. Kyiv insists that sovereignty over the disputed territories is non-negotiable.
Washington’s proposal includes the creation of a free trade zone in the disputed territory as a potential compromise. However, Ukraine emphasizes that it would retain sovereignty over these areas even within such a framework.
Regarding the situation on the ground, Ukraine favors freezing the current front lines as an initial step toward a political settlement. Russia, conversely, aims to consolidate control over the entirety of the Donbas region, including areas it does not currently occupy.
The Geneva conversations will unfold against this backdrop of opposing positions and ongoing military activity. The White House frames the round as an opportunity to advance toward understanding, while Kyiv and Moscow maintain demands that currently prevent consensus on the future of the disputed territories.
(With information from EP and AFP)
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Donald Trump urging Ukraine to do?
Donald Trump is urging Ukraine to sit down at the negotiating table “quickly” with Russia.
Who will be part of the U.S. Delegation to the Geneva talks?
The U.S. Delegation will include Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.
What is Ukraine’s position on ceding territory to Russia?
Volodimir Zelensky stated that Ukraine should not “repeat mistakes and ceder part of the territory” to Russia.
Given the complex and deeply entrenched positions of both sides, what compromises might be necessary to achieve a lasting resolution to the conflict?
