As the four-year anniversary of the war in Ukraine approaches, peace negotiations in Geneva have concluded. Tonight, U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff has stated that the talks between Ukraine and Russia to achieve peace in Geneva have made "significant progress." However, Zelenski claims that negotiations with Russia are "difficult" and accuses the Russian delegation of delaying the entire process. "Yesterday's meetings were really tough, and we can say that Russia is trying to prolong negotiations that could have already reached the final stage," he says.
Meanwhile, Ukraine has reported that Russia launched airstrikes with a missile and drones overnight. Specifically, they claim that Moscow fired a ballistic missile and deployed 126 unmanned aerial vehicles.
Second day of peace talks abruptly concludes, Zelenski accuses Russia of deliberately delaying an agreement to end the war in Ukraine
The second day of talksbetween Ukraine and Russia in Geneva has abruptly ended after only two hours. Russian chief negotiator, Vladimir Medinsky, told the press in the hotel lobby where the talks were held in Geneva that new negotiations would soon take place, without specifying a date. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenski described the meeting as "difficult," accusing Russia of deliberately delaying progress towards an agreement to end the war. Russia continues to insist that Ukrainians leave the territory they still control in Donetsk.
Zelenski announces progress on verifying a potential ceasefire
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenski stated at the end of the talks between Ukrainians, Russians, and Americans in Geneva that the parties involved have made progress in defining the verification mechanisms for a potential ceasefire, for which, however, there is still no agreement.
"The military knows how to monitor a ceasefire and the end of the war when there is political will," said Zelenski in a voice message sent to journalists, also noting that no progress has been made in the "political" part of the negotiations.
Conclusions of the talks between Russia, Ukraine, and the United States in Ukraine
Talks between Russia, Ukraine, and the U.S. have concluded in Geneva as reported by Russian state media and Afp.
Zelenski states that negotiations with Russia and the U.S. in Geneva are "difficult"
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenski has stated on Wednesday that negotiations with Russia and the U.S. are difficult and accuses the Russian delegation of delaying the entire process. "Yesterday's meetings were really tough, and we can say that Russia is trying to prolong negotiations that could have already reached the final stage," Zelenski said.
Second and final day of peace negotiations for Ukraine begins in Geneva
Delegations from Russia and Ukraine, with U.S. mediation, started their second day of negotiations in Geneva on Wednesday with the aim of ending the war they have been fighting for almost four years, as confirmed by a Russian diplomatic source.
The Russian delegation arrived at the hotel where the meetings are taking place a few minutes after 09:00 local time, where they met with the Ukrainian and American delegations also staying at the same venue.
On the eve, Ukraine confirmed that the political and military aspects of this conflict were addressed on the first day of meetings, and today both topics will continue to be developed.
Ukraine denounces Russian attacks with missile and drones before the second day of talks in Switzerland
Russian forces launched airstrikes with a missile and drones against Ukraine overnight, Kiev denounced on Wednesday before the start of the second day of peace negotiations in Geneva mediated by the United States.
The Ukrainian Air Force stated in a release that Moscow fired a ballistic missile and deployed 126 unmanned aerial vehicles, of which their defense units shot down 100 aircraft.
Russia launches 126 drones against Ukraine, including around 80 Shahed drones
Russia launched a total of 126 long-distance drones against Ukrainian territory last night, with around 80 of them being Russian-Iranian Shahed unmanned aircraft.
One hundred of the drones were neutralized by Ukrainian defenses, according to Wednesday's report from the Ukrainian Air Force, which provides daily updates on these Russian bombing incidents.
Another 23 drones were not intercepted and hit fourteen different locations in Ukraine not specified by the Air Force, which also reported fragments of some neutralized drones falling in three other locations.
The attack was ongoing at the time of the report, with several Russian drones flying over Ukraine.
U.S. Envoy Witkoff highlights "significant progress" in negotiations between Russia and Ukraine
U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff stated on Wednesday that the talks between Ukraine and Russia in Geneva to end the war that started four years ago had "significant progress."
"President (Donald) Trump's success in bringing both sides of this war together has made significant progress, and we are proud to work under his leadership to stop the killings in this terrible conflict," Witkoff wrote.
"Both parties agreed to inform their respective leaders and continue working towards an agreement," added Trump's envoy, before starting the second day of dialogue in Geneva.