Talks involving Russia, Ukraine and the United States aimed at ending Moscow’s war in Ukraine have ended without a decisive breakthrough.
The trilateral negotiations, held in Geneva, stretched late into Tuesday and resumed briefly on Wednesday for about two hours. Despite earlier optimism from US envoy Steve Witkoff, both the Russian and Ukrainian sides described the discussions as challenging.
According to a Ukrainian diplomatic source, limited progress was achieved on certain military matters, including discussions on the current front line and mechanisms for monitoring a potential ceasefire. However, the core dispute over territory — central to any lasting truce — remains unresolved, with positions in Moscow and Kyiv still significantly apart.
Russia continues to insist on full control of the Donbas region, encompassing Donetsk and Luhansk, a demand Kyiv considers unacceptable. Chief Russian negotiator Vladimir Medinsky acknowledged the difficulty of the talks but described them as constructive, adding that further meetings would take place soon.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also characterized the negotiations as complex, citing deep differences between the two sides. Ukraine’s lead negotiator, Rustem Umerov, said the exchanges were substantive and intensive, though he declined to provide details, stressing that the process requires coordination among all parties and time.
Shortly before the conclusion of the talks, Zelensky accused Russia of attempting to prolong negotiations that, in his view, could already be nearing a conclusion.
The previous direct engagement between Russian and Ukrainian delegations occurred in January in Abu Dhabi, during US-mediated discussions that resulted in a prisoner exchange. Zelensky indicated that another swap may be possible.
US President Donald Trump, who has pushed diplomatic efforts to end the conflict, recently expressed frustration at the lack of progress. He urged Ukraine to move quickly in negotiations, a position Zelensky rejected, arguing that it is unfair to expect Kyiv to make unilateral concessions.
Four years after the launch of Russia’s full-scale invasion, a wide gap remains between Moscow’s demands and what Kyiv considers a just settlement. Ukraine has consistently refused to relinquish sovereignty over the Donbas, which includes strategically important cities and extensive defensive lines. Many Ukrainians fear that conceding territory would expose the country to future aggression.
Zelensky has drawn historical comparisons to the 1938 Munich Agreement, warning against concessions that could embolden further expansionism. In an interview with the US outlet Axios, he stated that any proposal to transfer the Donbas would likely be rejected by Ukrainians in a referendum.
Security guarantees also remain a central issue. Kyiv is seeking firm commitments from Western partners to deter renewed hostilities. Another sensitive topic is the status of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, Europe’s largest nuclear facility, located near the front line and under Russian control since March 2022. Ukraine wants the plant returned and has suggested possible joint oversight with the United States, a proposal Moscow is unlikely to accept.
Officials from Britain, France, Germany and Italy attended meetings in Geneva and consulted with the Ukrainian delegation alongside the trilateral discussions. Although European governments have sought a stronger role in the US-led process, Zelensky has emphasized that their participation will be essential for any durable agreement.
Next week marks the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion. The war has caused tens of thousands of military and civilian casualties, displaced millions, and continues to impact daily life across Ukraine through ongoing aerial attacks.
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