Ukraine-Russia Peace Talks Stall in Geneva

Peace talks between Ukraine and Russia in Geneva concluded abruptly after only two hours, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy describing them as 'difficult'. Zelenskyy accused Russia of deliberately delaying progress towards a deal to end the four-year-old war. Rustem Umerov, head of Ukraine's negotiating team, stated that the second day was 'intensive and substantive' but played down expectations. Russia's chief negotiator, Vladimir Medinsky, indicated further negotiations would occur soon. U.S. President Donald Trump's public statements, suggesting Ukraine should ensure the talks' success, were deemed 'not fair' by Zelenskyy. Ukrainian government bonds fell following reports of stalled progress. The talks, mediated by the United States, follow previous rounds in Abu Dhabi that also failed to achieve a breakthrough, with both sides remaining far apart on key issues like territorial control.