Geneva Peace Talks Between Russia and Ukraine End Without Breakthrough
Talks between Russia, Ukraine and the United States aimed at ending the war in Ukraine wrapped up in Geneva with no major progress, as both sides admitted negotiations were tough and far from settled.
The two-day, US-led discussions in Switzerland ended after just two hours on Wednesday, following a much longer and reportedly tense session the day before. While there were signs of movement on technical and military matters, the central issue of territory remains unresolved.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky described the negotiations as "difficult" and said that their positions still differ. Shortly before the talks concluded, he accused Moscow of “trying to drag out negotiations that could already have reached the final stage”.
Rustem Umerov, who led Kyiv’s delegation, struck a slightly more positive tone. He said the discussions had been "intensive and substantive" and involved work on decisions that could be passed to both presidents. Still, he said that progress would take time, calling it complex work requiring coordination on all sides.
On the Russian side, chief negotiator Vladimir Medinsky said the talks were “difficult but business-like” and confirmed that another round would take place soon, though no date was given.
At the heart of the deadlock is the eastern Donbas region. Moscow is demanding full control of the area, which includes parts of Donetsk and Luhansk. Kyiv has repeatedly said giving up territory is a red line. Zelensky has made clear that Ukrainians would reject any plan requiring unilateral withdrawal from Donbas, and in an interview earlier this week he said it was “not fair” for Ukraine to be the one pushed to compromise.
Another sticking point is the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, which sits on the front line and has been under Russian control since 2022. Ukraine wants the plant returned and has previously floated the idea of shared control with the US, which Moscow is unlikely to accept.
US President Donald Trump, who has been driving the talks, has shown frustration with the slow pace. He recently urged Ukraine to “come to the table, fast”, setting a June deadline for ending the war. Zelensky has pushed back against the suggestion that Kyiv is responsible for delays.
The Geneva talks come just days before the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion. The conflict has killed tens of thousands, displaced millions and left large parts of Ukraine devastated. Russia currently controls around 20% of Ukrainian territory, including Crimea and areas in the east.
