Ukraine War: Geneva Talks as Russia Threatens Shipping & Attacks Energy Supply
New negotiations between Russia and Ukraine are expected in Geneva today, as Kyiv simultaneously accused Moscow of a large-scale attack on its energy infrastructure, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated Tuesday.
Zelenskyy, writing on X, described the assault as a “combined attack” deliberately targeting Ukraine’s energy sector. He claimed Russia deployed nearly 400 drones and 29 missiles and cruise missiles, with a significant number intercepted, but also resulting in damage. Zelenskyy reported tens of thousands in Odessa were left without heat and water. He stated twelve regions of Ukraine were targeted.
The attacks precede the resumption of peace talks in Geneva, mediated by the United States. The Ukrainian delegation, led by Rustem Umerov, Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine, arrived in Switzerland on Monday, according to reports. The group includes Kyrylo Budanov, head of the President’s Office, Foreign Minister Serhiy Kyslytsia, and Vadym Skibitskyi, Deputy Head of the Military Intelligence Directorate (HUR).
On the platform X, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha emphasized that Russia’s recent offensive underscored the urgency of increasing pressure on Moscow to end the war. “Moscow understands only the language of pressure. Diplomacy will not be taken seriously if it is not underpinned by strength. New sanctions packages are essential. Blocking the shadow fleet. Prohibition of maritime services. Entry ban for participants in Russian aggression. Only our unity and strength will end this war,” Sybiha stated.
Prior to the talks, a 68-year-old woman was killed in a Russian drone attack in the Sumy region of northern Ukraine, regional prosecutors reported. Her two grandchildren, aged 7 and 15, and their parents were also injured. A man and a woman in a neighboring building sustained injuries as well. In Odessa, three people were injured, one seriously, according to military administration head Serhiy Lysak.
Russia, for its part, has signaled its own priorities for the negotiations. A delegation of over 20, led by chief negotiator Vladimir Medinsky, includes Igor Kostyukov, head of the GRU military intelligence agency, and Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin. Moscow seeks to discuss not only security and military issues but also territorial questions, demanding a withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from the Luhansk and Donetsk regions, which Russia aims to annex.
These demands have been met with strong opposition from Ukraine and its European allies, who caution against rewarding Russia for its aggression. The Russian delegation was forced to take a lengthy detour over NATO and EU member states’ airspace en route to Geneva, requiring a flight permit facilitated by the United States, according to the Russian news agency Ria Novosti.
The current round of talks builds upon previous meetings held in the United Arab Emirates. The U.S. Government, under President Donald Trump, is mediating the discussions, with Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner representing the administration. Alongside the trilateral negotiations, separate Russian-American talks are expected to focus on reviving economic relations between the two countries.
President Trump, before the Geneva talks began, urged Ukraine to “arrive to the negotiating table quickly,” stating, “We are having particularly intensive talks. It’s going to be very simple,” according to the Guardian.
Simultaneously, Ukraine continued its attacks on Russian territory. Overnight, drones targeted several Russian facilities, including the Ilsky oil refinery in the Krasnodar region, causing a large fire. Russian Telegram channels reported that air defenses shot down more than 20 drones over the region, with residents reporting over ten explosions near the village of Ilsky. A tank containing oil products was damaged, covering an area of approximately 700 square meters.
The Ukrainian military reported Russian losses continuing to mount, claiming 890 soldiers were killed or wounded in the past day, bringing Russia’s total losses since the start of the conflict on February 24, 2022, to 1,255,340. Ukraine also claims Russia has lost 11,678 tanks, 24,045 armored fighting vehicles, and 37,323 artillery systems.