On Tuesday, delegations from Ukraine and Russia began two days of closed-door peace talks in Geneva, Switzerland, mediated by the United States. With minimal expectations set for the discussions, the primary focus revolves around a significant sticking point: the territory. Moscow is demanding that Ukraine cede the remaining 20% of the Donetsk region that Russian troops have not yet captured, a request that Ukraine outright rejects. Currently, Russia holds around 20% of Ukrainian territory, which includes Crimea and parts of the Donbas region. As of now, no breakthroughs are anticipated from this round of negotiations.

According to the Russian news agency TASS, the discussions encompass at least five areas: territorial, military, political, economic, and various aspects of security. The talks are unfolding against the backdrop of increased pressure from Washington. U.S. President Donald Trump has urged both sides to reach an agreement as soon as possible, but there is a growing sentiment in Kyiv that the urgency is primarily being imposed on Ukraine. This sentiment underscores a larger narrative of unease regarding the dynamics of the negotiations and the perceived weight of external influences, specifically from the U.S.

As the talks progress, the critical issues of security and humanitarian concerns continue to loom large. Both sides remain at an impasse, particularly on territorial disputes as they represent not only a political dilemma but also a matter of national sovereignty for Ukraine. The lack of progress and the insistence on such contentious demands signal a challenging road ahead for the peace negotiations, raising questions about how long the two nations can sustain their current positions before external pressure reshapes the dialogue.