Russia-Ukraine Talks Continue, Peace Hoped for, Says Steve Witcoff

Geneva: Peace talks between Russia and Ukraine, mediated by the United States in Geneva, have entered their second day. U.S. representative Steve Witcoff said that there has been improvement in the peace efforts. Ukraine’s delegation chief, Rustem Umerov, stated that both political and military-level issues are being discussed. After previous discussions held in Abu Dhabi, this marks the third round of direct talks between the two countries under U.S. leadership.

Even as the discussions continue, fighting on the battlefield remains fierce. In a drone attack in Zaporizhzhia, one woman was killed and seven others were injured. Ukraine’s Air Force claimed that Russia fired 126 drones and one ballistic missile.

In the peace negotiations, the two countries remain at opposite ends. Russia has demanded that Ukraine stop seeking NATO membership and reduce the size of its army. It has also proposed that Ukrainian forces withdraw from the four regions currently occupied by Russia.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine is not ready to cede its own land to Russia.