High-level discussions aimed at resolving Moscow’s ongoing conflict in Ukraine, involving representatives from Russia, Ukraine, and the United States, have concluded without achieving a notable breakthrough.
These trilateral meetings, which took place in Geneva, extended late into Tuesday. Wednesday’s session, however, was considerably shorter, lasting only two hours.
Despite an earlier expression of optimism from US envoy Steve Witkoff, both the lead Russian negotiator and Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky described the meetings as “difficult.”
A Ukrainian diplomatic source indicated that some progress was achieved concerning “military issues.” This included discussions on the positioning of the front lines and mechanisms for monitoring ceasefires.
However, a resolution on territorial disputes, considered essential for any potential ceasefire agreement, remains distant. The fundamental positions of Moscow and Kyiv continue to diverge significantly.
Russia has maintained its demand for complete control over the Donbas region, encompassing the Donetsk and Luhansk areas. This stance is entirely unacceptable to Ukraine.
While acknowledging the challenging nature of the negotiations, Kremlin negotiator Vladimir Medinsky characterized the discussions as “businesslike” and indicated that another meeting would be scheduled “soon.”
President Zelensky echoed the sentiment that the talks were “not easy” due primarily to the substantial differences in the two nations’ stances.
Ukrainian negotiator Rustem Umerov presented a somewhat less somber outlook, describing the discussions as “substantive and intensive.” He noted that progress had been made, but emphasized that no specific details could be revealed “at this stage.”
Umerov elaborated, stating, “This is complex work that requires alignment among all parties and sufficient time.”
Shortly before the conclusion of the talks was officially announced, Zelensky voiced an accusation that Russia was “trying to drag out negotiations that could already have reached the final stage.”
The delegations from Russia and Ukraine last convened for US-brokered talks in Abu Dhabi in January, which resulted in the first prisoner exchange in several months. On Wednesday, Zelensky suggested that further exchanges could be under consideration.
US President Donald Trump, who has been a central figure in diplomatic efforts to end the war, has shown increasing impatience with the ongoing stalemate between the two parties.
Earlier on Monday, he publicly stated that Ukraine “had better come to the table, fast.” President Zelensky subsequently rejected this sentiment, deeming it “not fair” for his country to be the one pressured to compromise.
Four years into Russia’s full-scale invasion, a considerable gap persists between Moscow’s demands and what Kyiv defines as a “just peace.”
Kyiv has consistently rejected Russia’s demand for control of the eastern Donbas region, as this would necessitate ceding Ukrainian sovereign territory. The region includes several heavily fortified cities and a long established defensive line within Donetsk.
Many Ukrainian citizens believe that relinquishing this territory would leave the nation vulnerable to further Russian aggression. President Zelensky himself has drawn parallels to the 1938 Munich Agreement, where European powers allowed Hitler to annex the Sudetenland region of Czechoslovakia.
On Tuesday, Zelensky communicated to the US media outlet Axios that any proposal to hand over the Donbas would face rejection from Ukrainians if put to a referendum.
The Ukrainian president is also actively working to secure robust security guarantees from Kyiv’s Western allies, intended to deter future Russian attacks.
Another point of contention in the ongoing negotiations relates to the status of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant.
This facility, the largest nuclear power plant in Europe, is situated on the front line and has been under Russian control since March 2022. Ukraine seeks its return, and Zelensky has previously indicated a willingness for Kyiv to share control of the plant with American entities – an arrangement Moscow is unlikely to accept.
Representatives from Britain, France, Germany, and Italy were present in Geneva and held separate discussions with Ukrainian officials on the sidelines of the trilateral meeting.
European representatives have faced challenges in being incorporated into the US-led negotiation process. However, President Zelensky stated that European involvement is “indispensable” for reaching any final agreement.
Next Tuesday is set to mark the fourth anniversary of Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
The conflict has resulted in tens of thousands of military and civilian casualties, and has displaced millions of people across Ukraine. It continues to profoundly impact the lives of Ukrainians, with daily aerial attacks causing fatalities throughout the country.