Ukraine-Russia peace talks enter second day in Geneva with pressure on Kyiv

Peace talks between Ukraine and Russia entered their second day in Geneva, with significant pressure on Ukraine to make concessions. The discussions, which are US-brokered, began on Tuesday and are aimed at addressing the ongoing conflict that has persisted since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky described the talks as "difficult" and accused Russia of deliberately delaying progress toward a peace deal. Analysts have noted that the lack of progress is not surprising, with some suggesting that Russia is "not serious about peace" (France24). The negotiations are taking place just days before the four-year anniversary of the conflict's onset, and expectations for a breakthrough remain low. Previous rounds of US-brokered talks have not resulted in significant advancements, and the current discussions are likely to focus on territorial issues, particularly areas that Russia wants Ukraine to cede (Al Jazeera). The Kremlin characterized the talks as difficult but business-like (Reuters). As the international community watches closely, US President Donald Trump has been exerting pressure on both Kyiv and Moscow to expedite the peace process. He advocates for a swift resolution to the conflict, which has been ongoing for nearly four years. Zelensky has expressed concerns regarding the significant pressure on Ukraine to concede during these negotiations (South China Morning Post).