Ceasefire Definitions Near Completion As Ukraine Calls Talks ‘Insufficient’ And Russia Calls Them ‘Businesslike’
Ukraine says peace talks are insufficient as US, Russian and Ukrainian military officials report “incremental but significant” progress in Geneva. Ceasefire terms advance. Political approval still pending.
Ukraine has described the latest round of negotiations with Russia as insufficient, even as military officials from all three sides report “incremental but significant progress” in determining how a ceasefire would function — at least on paper.
Over two days in Geneva, US, Ukrainian and Russian military representatives worked through the mechanics of what a ceasefire would actually mean. Led on the American side by US Army Secretary Dan Driscoll and Gen. Alex Grynkewich, commander of US European Command, the discussions focused on agreeing to definitions: what qualifies as a ceasefire, what constitutes a violation, and which terms can survive contact with reality.
According to a source familiar with the talks, progress was made in finalizing key terminology and clarifications designed to support future political agreements. The military participants reportedly left feeling cautiously optimistic — a diplomatic phrase that traditionally translates to “nobody walked out.”
Meanwhile, the political track of negotiations, led by US special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner alongside Ukrainian and Russian officials, produced more restrained reactions.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky acknowledged that military representatives engaged seriously and substantively but said that sensitive political matters, potential compromises, and a leaders’ meeting have not yet been sufficiently developed. In other words, the glossary is improving faster than the peace.
On the Russian side, presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky described the talks as “difficult, but businesslike,” suggesting that even prolonged conflict can be approached with calendar discipline.
Another meeting is expected in the coming weeks.
For now, the framework is advancing in stages:
Define the ceasefire.
Define the violations.
Define the optimism.
Political approval remains pending.
The soldiers are clarifying the rules.
The politicians are reviewing the fine print.
Peace, it appears, is being assembled one definition at a time.
