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Territorial Disputes Dominate Geneva Peace Talks

US President Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner, US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, US Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll sit before closed-door talks with Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andriy Yermak  (not pictured) on ending Russia's war in Ukraine, at the US Mission in Geneva, Switzerland. Negotiators from Russia and Ukraine convened in Geneva for a new round of U.S.-mediated peace talks, with territorial disputes emerging as the central point of contention. The discussions, held over two days, come amid heightened pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump, who has urged Kyiv to “come to the table fast” in pursuit of a settlement.  Both sides remain deeply divided over land claims, which have become the primary obstacle to progress. The Kremlin has signaled that territorial issues will dominate the agenda, while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has voiced concerns that Kyiv is facing disproportionate p...
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From Eurovision to Intervision: Russia Launches Its Own Global Song Contest


Excluded from the Eurovision Song Contest since its 2022 invasion of Ukraine, Russia is staging its own international music competition — the revived Intervision Song Contest — with the final set for Saturday in Moscow.

Backed by President Vladimir Putin, the event resurrects a Soviet-era brand and promotes what organisers call “traditional family values.” Twenty-three countries — including China, India, Brazil, South Africa, and the United States — will compete for a 30 million rouble ($360,000) prize. Serbia is the only nation taking part in both Eurovision and Intervision.

Unlike Eurovision’s public voting, winners will be chosen by a professional jury from each participating country. Russia’s entry is nationalist pop star Shaman, while the U.S. will be represented by Australian-born singer Vassy, stepping in after R&B artist Brandon Howard withdrew.

Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov framed the contest as an “alternative approach” to preserving cultural and moral traditions, in contrast to Eurovision’s flamboyant style and LGBTQ+ inclusivity. Critics, including Kyiv, have dismissed Intervision as a Kremlin propaganda tool.

The show will air live on Russian television and, according to organisers, be available internationally to audiences totalling more than four billion people.


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