The United States on Tuesday said that the remaining hurdles in the Ukraine peace negotiations are “delicate” but “not insurmountable”, as European leaders met virtually to firm up their joint position on a possible settlement to end the war.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Kyiv now sees “many prospects that can make the path to peace real” after the latest round of talks in Geneva. His chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, also reported progress, noting that the security guarantees Ukraine is seeking from Washington appear “very solid”.

Despite the optimism, major differences remain, particularly over issues related to territory still occupied by Russian forces. Zelenskyy told European leaders he is prepared to discuss “sensitive” matters with US President Donald Trump and urged Europe to take part in those discussions.

Several European leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, said talks are moving in a positive direction. Macron stressed that any deal must include strong, enforceable security guarantees for Ukraine, citing Russia’s repeated violations of previous commitments.

The United Kingdom said it is “ready to move” with EU partners on the contentious issue of frozen Russian assets, while also pledging additional air defence missiles for Ukraine amid continued Russian air attacks.

The renewed diplomatic push comes as Russian strikes across Ukraine killed at least seven people and injured 20 others on Tuesday, including in the capital Kyiv, where multiple residential buildings were heavily damaged.