Diplomats from Ukraine, Russia and the United States met in Geneva on Tuesday for a new round of closed-door peace negotiations, one week before the fourth anniversary of Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
The talks mark the third attempt this year to broker a ceasefire after two earlier rounds in Abu Dhabi failed to produce a breakthrough. The negotiations are taking place under the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump, who has stepped up pressure on both Kyiv and Moscow to make progress.
Delegations and format
Ukraine’s delegation is led by Rustem Umerov, secretary of the National Security and Defence Council, alongside Kyrylo Budanov, chief of staff to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Russia is represented by Vladimir Medinsky, a senior aide to President Vladimir Putin, and Igor Kostyukov, head of Russian military intelligence.
The United States is represented by special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. All meetings are being conducted without media access to allow what officials describe as frank discussions on security and territorial disputes.
Core disputes remain entrenched
Despite renewed diplomacy, key disagreements persist.
Territory: Moscow is seeking control over the remaining roughly 20% of the Donetsk region it does not currently hold. Kyiv has rejected further territorial concessions and maintains that Ukraine’s internationally recognised borders must be restored.
Security guarantees and NATO: Russia continues to demand Ukrainian neutrality and abandonment of NATO membership aspirations. Ukraine is pressing for binding long-term security guarantees from the United States and Western allies. U.S. officials have reportedly discussed a 15-year commitment, while Ukrainian officials are seeking guarantees lasting between 30 and 50 years.
Energy infrastructure and military pressure: Hours before the talks, Russia launched what Ukrainian officials described as a large-scale attack involving around 400 drones and 29 missiles. Kyiv proposed a temporary moratorium on strikes targeting energy infrastructure to reduce civilian hardship.
Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant: Control of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant remains disputed. Russia retains control of the facility, while Ukraine demands its return.
Pressure from Washington
Speaking aboard Air Force One, Trump urged urgency, saying Ukraine “better come to the table, fast.” Sources familiar with the negotiations said Washington is seeking tangible progress by June.
Analysts say the administration’s approach combines sustained diplomatic engagement with public pressure aimed at accelerating concessions.
Battlefield developments
The diplomatic effort comes amid intensified fighting. Ukrainian forces recently reported retaking about 201 square kilometres near Zaporizhzhia, while Russia has continued drone and missile strikes.
Military analysts describe the conflict as entrenched and attritional, with neither side showing readiness to compromise on core demands.
Outlook
Expectations for a comprehensive breakthrough remain limited. With the fourth anniversary of the invasion approaching, the Geneva talks represent a pivotal but uncertain moment shaped by both battlefield realities and high-level geopolitical manoeuvring.
