Intense discussions between Ukrainian and Russian negotiators concluded in Geneva on Monday, leaving a critical question unanswered: will Ukraine cede any territory to Russia as part of a potential peace agreement? The talks, which involved high-ranking officials from the Trump administration, focused on finding a resolution to the ongoing conflict, but a breakthrough regarding territorial integrity proved elusive.
The core of the disagreement centers around regions with significant Russian-speaking populations, particularly Crimea and parts of eastern Ukraine. Russia has consistently asserted its claim to Crimea, annexed in 2014, and supports separatist movements in the Donbas region. Ukraine, understandably, views any territorial concession as a violation of its sovereignty and a betrayal of its national interests.