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 noted 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.
Commentary from Trump, which suggested Ukraine had until Thursday to accept the deal or face serious cuts in US support, created a sense of urgency across Europe, leading to hastily convened talks between Ukraine and US officials.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that a tremendous amount of progress had been made at the talks, expressing optimism about the future. However, some European leaders remained cautious about whether peace was on the horizon.
The current state of negotiations remains complex, as both sides grapple with maintaining territorial integrity amidst pressures to achieve diplomatic solutions.
