Talks in Geneva between the US and Ukraine aimed at ending the war with Russia have concluded, with officials from both sides reporting progress and an intention to continue working.
However, no details have emerged on how to bridge the considerable divide between Moscow and Kyiv over territorial issues and security guarantees for Ukraine.
Ukraine's president Volodymyr Zelensky welcomed the important steps made but warned that the main problem facing the peace talks was Vladimir Putin's demand for legal recognition of Russian-occupied territories in eastern Ukraine.
This would break the principle of territorial integrity and sovereignty, he said, highlighting concerns that Moscow could be rewarded for its aggression with land it seized by force.
Meanwhile, President Donald Trump suggested on social media that something good just may be happening, but with the caveat: Don't believe it until you see it. The Geneva talks did not involve Russian representatives and the Kremlin stated it hadn't received information on their outcome.
A 28-point peace plan drafted by US and Russian officials was presented to Ukraine last week, but several of its elements seemed heavily geared towards Moscow's longstanding demands, alarming Kyiv and its European allies.
Comments by Trump implied urgency for Ukraine to accept the deal, contributing to a hastily convened meeting between US and Ukrainian officials. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio reported a tremendous amount of progress, but some European leaders expressed skepticism about the prospect of advancing peace talks.
Despite last week's diplomatic efforts, the next steps forward remain uncertain, with anticipation that Zelensky will soon speak with Trump before a new draft peace plan is introduced to Moscow. There were no immediate plans for meetings between Russian and US negotiators.
British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer remarked on the continued necessity for work towards a just and lasting peace in Ukraine, hinting at the complexity and challenges that lie ahead.
