Zelenskyy says Russia 'trying to drag out' peace process as talks stall

The latest round of US-mediated peace talks between Russia and Ukraine in Geneva yesterday ended without a major breakthrough, as fighting continues in a war that will enter its fifth year next week.

- Pjotr Sauer

Ukraine's president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, said no agreement had been reached on the thorniest questions at the negotiations in Switzerland, accusing Moscow of "trying to drag out" the process.

"Some groundwork has been done, but for now the positions differ, because the negotiations were not easy," he said after the talks.

Zelenskyy said the status of Russian-occupied territories in eastern Ukraine and the future of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, which remains under Moscow's control, were among the most contentious unresolved issues.

He added that discussions had taken place along military and political tracks, including how any potential ceasefire might be implemented, describing the military channel as constructive.

"The military understand how to monitor a ceasefire and the end of the war if there is political will," he said.

The second day of talks ended after just two hours, signalling scant progress and underscoring how distant a deal still appears, despite Donald Trump's promises to end the war on the first day of his presidency.