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Geneva negotiations conclude without agreement
Trilateral discussions between Russia, Ukraine, and the United States aimed at ending the war in Ukraine wrapped up in Geneva on Wednesday after two days of talks, but failed to produce a breakthrough, officials confirmed.
Talks described as difficult but constructive
The negotiations, which extended late into Tuesday and resumed for two hours on Wednesday, were characterized as challenging by both Russian and Ukrainian representatives. U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff had earlier expressed optimism, but Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Kremlin negotiator Vladimir Medinsky later called the discussions difficult.
Following the main session, Medinsky returned for a private meeting with the Ukrainian delegation that lasted approximately 90 minutes. No details from that meeting have been disclosed.
Limited progress on military issues, territorial disputes remain
A Ukrainian diplomatic source reported some advancement on military matters, including front-line positioning and ceasefire monitoring mechanisms. However, the critical issue of territorial control remains unresolved, with both sides maintaining starkly different positions.
Russia continues to demand full control over the eastern Donbas region-comprising Donetsk and Luhansk-which Ukraine has categorically rejected. Zelensky has framed the demand as an unacceptable surrender of sovereign territory, drawing historical parallels to the 1938 Munich Agreement.
"This is complex work that requires alignment among all parties and sufficient time,"
Ukrainian negotiator Rustem Umerov
Zelensky accuses Russia of stalling, U.S. pressure mounts
Shortly before the talks concluded, Zelensky accused Moscow of deliberately prolonging negotiations that could have reached a final stage. He also rejected recent remarks by U.S. President Donald Trump, who urged Ukraine to "come to the table, fast," calling the suggestion unfair.
The last U.S.-brokered meeting between the two sides took place in Abu Dhabi in January, resulting in the first prisoner exchange in months. Zelensky hinted that another swap may be imminent.
Key obstacles: Donbas and Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Plant
Ukraine has ruled out ceding the Donbas, where heavily fortified cities and defensive lines would be lost. Zelensky told U.S. outlet Axios that any proposal to hand over the region would be rejected in a referendum.
Another contentious issue is the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, Europe's largest, which has been under Russian control since March 2022. Ukraine seeks its return and has proposed shared control with the U.S., a proposal Moscow is unlikely to accept.
European involvement deemed essential
Officials from Britain, France, Germany, and Italy attended the Geneva talks and met with Ukrainian representatives on the sidelines. Zelensky emphasized that European participation is "indispensable" for any final agreement, though European nations have struggled to secure a central role in the U.S.-led process.
Next Tuesday marks the fourth anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion, which has caused tens of thousands of casualties and displaced millions. Daily aerial attacks continue to devastate communities across Ukraine.
