Land has emerged as the central fault line as Russian and Ukrainian negotiators convene in Geneva for two days of U.S.-mediated peace talks, amid growing

pressure from Donald Trump for a swift agreement to end the war.

The talks, which began Tuesday, focus on territorial control — the most contentious issue in a conflict now entering its fourth year and widely regarded as Europe’s largest war since World War Two. While Washington is urging both sides to compromise, Ukrainian officials say the weight of that pressure is falling disproportionately on Kyiv.

Trump, speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, signaled impatience with the pace of negotiations. “Ukraine better come to the table fast,” he said, describing the Geneva discussions as “big talks” that should be easy to conclude.

The diplomatic push comes as fighting on the ground shows no sign of slowing. Overnight, Russia launched heavy airstrikes across wide areas of Ukraine, severely damaging energy infrastructure in the southern port city of Odesa. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said the attacks left tens of thousands of residents without heat and water.

Zelenskiy renewed calls for Ukraine’s allies to toughen sanctions against Moscow and accelerate weapons deliveries, arguing that only increased pressure could force Russia into a “real and just” peace settlement.

At the negotiating table, Moscow is doubling down on its territorial demands. Russia is insisting that Ukraine cede the remaining 20% of the eastern Donetsk region still under Ukrainian control — a condition Kyiv has repeatedly rejected.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the Geneva talks would address a broad range of issues but confirmed that territory remains at the heart of Russia’s position.

The latest round follows two earlier meetings hosted by Abu Dhabi, which both sides described as constructive but ultimately inconclusive. The venue was moved to Geneva in hopes of injecting new momentum into the stalled process.

Representing the Trump administration are U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, according to a source familiar with the talks.

For now, diplomats say expectations remain cautious, with land — and the future of eastern Ukraine — still the hardest ground to bridge. Photo by fr:Utilisateur:Stéphane_Pecorini, Wikimedia commons.