The Russia-Ukraine Geneva talks resumed Tuesday in Switzerland as Moscow continued its military campaign across Ukrainian territory, underscoring the deep divisions that remain after four years of war.
Delegations from Russia and Ukraine arrived in Geneva for a new round of negotiations brokered by the United States, which is seeking to end the conflict that began with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Despite two previous rounds of US-mediated talks in Abu Dhabi earlier this year, no significant breakthrough has been achieved. Fighting on the ground has continued alongside diplomatic efforts.
US President Donald Trump, who has positioned himself as a mediator in the conflict, urged Kyiv to move quickly toward an agreement.
Delegations Arrive in Geneva for Closed-Door Talks
The Kremlin confirmed that the Russia-Ukraine Geneva talks would be held behind closed doors without media access. A source within the Russian delegation told journalists that the aircraft carrying Moscow’s team landed in Geneva at approximately 06:00 GMT.
Russia’s delegation is led by Vladimir Medinsky, a nationalist figure and former culture minister who previously headed earlier negotiation efforts. A spokesperson for President Vladimir Putin said Moscow intends to discuss a broader set of issues, particularly territorial matters and other political demands.
Ukraine’s delegation is headed by Rustem Umerov, former defence minister and senior security official. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said his team had arrived in Geneva a day earlier.
The United States delegation is expected to include Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, as Washington continues to mediate between the two sides.
On Monday, President Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One: “Ukraine better come to the table, fast.” He expressed hope that Kyiv would reach a deal with Moscow quickly.
Russian Attacks Continue Ahead of Russia-Ukraine Geneva Talks
Even as delegations gathered in Switzerland, military operations intensified.
Ukrainian officials in the southern port city of Odesa reported damage to buildings and at least two people wounded following a Russian drone attack overnight. Moscow, for its part, claimed it had repelled more than 150 Ukrainian drones.
President Zelensky criticised Russia’s actions, stating on social media that continued strikes on Ukrainian territory demonstrate Moscow’s approach to diplomacy. He said the war can only end through sufficient pressure on Russia and clear security guarantees for Ukraine.
The conflict has become Europe’s deadliest since World War II, with hundreds of thousands killed and millions displaced inside and outside Ukraine.
Key Sticking Points in Negotiations
The main unresolved issues in the Russia-Ukraine Geneva talks include:
Territorial control: Russia currently occupies around 20 percent of Ukraine’s territory, including Crimea, which it seized in 2014, and additional regions taken before and after the 2022 invasion.
Ukrainian troop withdrawal: Moscow demands that Ukrainian forces withdraw from strategically significant areas as part of any settlement. Kyiv has rejected this demand.
Security guarantees: Ukraine insists on firm Western security guarantees before agreeing to any arrangement with Russia.
Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant: Europe’s largest nuclear power facility, located in the Zaporizhzhia region and currently under Russian control, remains a central issue in discussions.
Kyiv considers Russia’s territorial demands politically and militarily unacceptable, describing them as equivalent to capitulation.
Battlefield Developments Add Pressure
According to an AFP analysis of data from the Institute for the Study of War, Ukrainian forces recaptured approximately 201 square kilometres last week. The gains are concentrated roughly 80 kilometres east of Zaporizhzhia city, an area where Russian forces had previously made advances.
The Institute suggested that Ukrainian counterattacks may have benefited from disruptions to Russian communications, including limited access to the Starlink satellite network.
The region around Zaporizhzhia is strategically significant due to its infrastructure and proximity to the nuclear power plant, making it a sensitive point in both military and diplomatic calculations.
Conclusion:
As the Russia-Ukraine Geneva talks proceed behind closed doors, the gap between Moscow and Kyiv remains substantial. With fighting continuing on the ground and territorial demands unresolved, the outcome of this round of negotiations remains uncertain.
