Ukraine and Russia to meet for second round of talks as fourth anniversary of war looms

"Senior Ukrainian and Russian officials are to meet this week in Switzerland for a second round of talks brokered by the Trump administration, days before the fourth anniversary of Moscow's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The two-day meeting, kicking off on Tuesday, is expected to mirror negotiations held earlier this month in Abu Dhabi, with representatives from Washington, Kyiv and Moscow in attendance. Despite renewed US efforts to revive diplomacy, hopes for any sudden breakthrough remain low, with Russia continuing to press maximalist demands on Ukraine."

"While the Abu Dhabi discussions were largely focused on military ceasefire proposals, the Kremlin spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov, said on Monday the Geneva talks would address a broader range of issues, including territorial questions and other demands put forward by Moscow. Vladimir Medinsky, an arch-conservative Putin adviser who has previously questioned Ukrainian sovereignty, will head Russia's negotiating team. He will be joined by Igor Kostyukov, the chief of Russian military intelligence, and the deputy foreign minister Mikhail Galuzin, among nearly two dozen officials, Moscow has said."

"Ukraine is expected to send the same delegation as in earlier rounds, to be led in Geneva by Rustem Umerov, secretary of Ukraine's national security and defence council. The choice of Switzerland marks the first time the talks will be held on European soil after earlier rounds in Abu Dhabi and Istanbul. The choice of Geneva appears to have been pushed by Washington."

Senior Ukrainian and Russian officials will meet in Geneva for a second round of talks brokered by the Trump administration ahead of the fourth anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion. The two-day meeting is expected to mirror earlier negotiations in Abu Dhabi and will include representatives from Washington, Kyiv and Moscow. Hopes for a breakthrough remain low as Russia continues to press maximalist demands, including territorial concessions. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said the Geneva talks will address a broader range of issues beyond ceasefires. Russia's team will be led by Vladimir Medinsky and include senior military and diplomatic figures. Ukraine will send the same delegation led by Rustem Umerov.

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