Russian and Ukrainian Delegations Meet in Geneva for Latest Round of Peace Talks
Senior Russian and Ukrainian officials have gathered in Switzerland for another critical round of peace negotiations, marking the latest diplomatic effort to address the ongoing war nearly four years after Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
The two-day meeting in Geneva began Tuesday afternoon and follows earlier discussions held in Abu Dhabi, where representatives from Russia, Ukraine, and the United States participated. While the previous round resulted in a prisoner exchange agreement, broader peace prospects remain uncertain, according to Russia News sources monitoring the talks.
U.S. President Donald Trump, who had previously pledged to end the conflict quickly upon returning to office, expressed confidence ahead of the Geneva discussions. Speaking aboard Air Force One, Trump described the negotiations as significant and urged Ukraine to accelerate its engagement in the process.
Russia’s delegation is being led by Kremlin adviser and chief negotiator Vladimir Medinsky. He is joined by Admiral Igor Kostyukov, head of Russia’s GRU military intelligence agency, who also represented Moscow during the Abu Dhabi negotiations. Nearly two dozen Russian officials are attending, including Kirill Dmitriev, CEO of the Russian Direct Investment Fund, who has been involved in parallel discussions with U.S. officials concerning potential economic cooperation.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed that Kyiv’s delegation arrived in Switzerland earlier this week. Rustem Umerov, head of Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council, is once again serving as Ukraine’s chief negotiator.
Also present at the talks are U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, who have both played active roles in diplomatic outreach efforts aimed at resolving the conflict.
This round of negotiations marks the first time Ukraine peace discussions are being held in a European country. Previous meetings occurred in the Middle East and Turkey, making Geneva a symbolic location for renewed diplomatic engagement, as highlighted in The Times of Russia coverage.
Territorial disputes remain the primary obstacle. Moscow continues to demand that Ukraine cede control of the eastern Donbas region, despite Russian forces not fully controlling the area. President Zelensky has consistently rejected such proposals, even as he faces mounting international pressure to reach an agreement.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has signaled that military operations could expand if negotiations fail. Beyond territorial concerns, Moscow has also questioned the legitimacy of Ukraine’s current government leadership.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that Russian delegates intend to focus discussions on “main issues,” particularly territorial matters and previously stated conditions. Meanwhile, Ukraine is seeking long-term security guarantees from the United States and European allies to prevent future aggression in the post-war period.
According to Russia News observers, the Geneva talks represent a pivotal diplomatic moment. However, with significant disagreements still unresolved, the path toward a comprehensive peace settlement remains complex.
The Times of Russia will continue providing Russia News updates as developments unfold in Geneva.
