Negotiations involving Russia, Ukraine and the United States aimed at ending Moscow’s war in Ukraine have concluded in Geneva without a major breakthrough.
The trilateral talks stretched late into Tuesday evening and resumed briefly on Wednesday, lasting around two hours. Despite earlier optimism from U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff, both Moscow and Kyiv described the discussions as “difficult.”
Deep divisions remain over territorial control and the conditions for a possible ceasefire in the four-year conflict.
‘Difficult’ But Ongoing
Russia’s chief negotiator, Vladimir Medinsky, acknowledged the challenges but characterized the talks as “businesslike,” adding that another meeting would take place “soon”.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also admitted the negotiations were “not easy”, citing the significant gap between both sides’ positions.
Ukraine’s lead negotiator, Rustem Umerov, struck a more measured tone, describing the discussions as “substantive and intensive.” While he hinted at some progress, he emphasized that no specifics could be revealed “at this stage”.
“This is complex work that requires alignment among all parties and sufficient time,” Umerov said.
Shortly before the conclusion of the talks was announced, Zelensky accused Russia of “trying to drag out negotiations that could already have reached the final stage”.
Prisoner Swap Possible
The last direct meeting between the Russian and Ukrainian delegations took place in January in Abu Dhabi, resulting in the first prisoner exchange in months. On Wednesday, Zelensky suggested another swap could be in the works, though no timetable was provided.
U.S. President Donald Trump, who has been leading diplomatic efforts to end the war, has recently signaled frustration with the stalemate. Earlier this week, he said Ukraine had “better come to the table, fast” — a comment Zelensky dismissed as “not fair”, arguing that Kyiv should not be the one expected to make concessions.
Key Sticking Points Remain
Four years after Russia’s full-scale invasion, the two sides remain far apart on what a “just peace” would look like.
Moscow continues to push for full control of the eastern Donbas region, including the Donetsk and Luhansk areas. Kyiv has consistently rejected this demand, saying it would mean surrendering sovereign territory and weakening Ukraine’s long-term security.
Many Ukrainians fear that ceding land would leave the country vulnerable to future aggression. Zelensky told U.S. outlet Axios on Tuesday that any proposal to hand over the Donbas would be rejected by voters if put to a referendum.
Another major point of contention is the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, Europe’s largest nuclear facility. Located near the front line, it has been under Russian control since March 2022. Ukraine wants the plant returned, and Zelensky has previously floated the idea of shared oversight with the United States — a proposal Russia is unlikely to accept.
No Breakthrough — But Talks Continue
While no concrete agreement emerged from this latest round of negotiations, both sides signaled that dialogue would continue. However, with core disagreements over territory and security guarantees unresolved, a comprehensive peace deal still appears distant.
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