Peace talks between Russia and Ukraine, mediated by the United States, have ended without a breakthrough. The negotiations began on Tuesday in Geneva, Switzerland, and continued late into the night. However, Wednesday’s session lasted only two hours, highlighting the persistent difficulties facing both sides.
Although U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff had earlier expressed cautious optimism about the discussions, both the head of the Russian delegation and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky described the talks as “difficult.”
After the formal session concluded, Russia’s lead negotiator Vladimir Medinsky returned to the venue for a closed-door meeting with his Ukrainian counterpart that lasted approximately an hour and a half. The details of their private discussion have not been disclosed.
Late Wednesday, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that “meaningful progress” had been made and that both sides had agreed to continue working together toward a peace agreement.
Despite these remarks, a major obstacle remains unresolved: the territorial dispute at the heart of the conflict. Russia continues to insist on full control of the Donbas region in eastern Ukraine comprising the Donetsk and Luhansk regions a demand Kyiv firmly rejects.
Shortly before the talks were officially declared over, President Zelensky accused Russia of “deliberately delaying negotiations that should have reached their final stage.”
U.S. President Donald Trump, who has taken a leading role in efforts to broker an end to the war, has increasingly signaled frustration over the lack of tangible progress between the two sides.
As the fourth anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine approaches next Tuesday, significant gaps remain between Moscow’s demands and Kyiv’s vision of what would constitute a “just and lasting peace.”
