Ukraine-Russia peace talks end without agreement

Diplomatic round ends without agreement

The third round of talks between Ukraine and Russia, moderated by the United States, in Geneva, Switzerland, ended without a breakthrough or concrete agreements. The two-day talks between the delegations of the two countries, which took place on 17-18 February, revealed serious differences on key issues of peaceful settlement.

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that the talks were «difficult» and accused the Russian side of dragging out the process, unwilling to make concessions that could bring the war closer to an end. According to him, Russia is not ready to miss the opportunity to reach an agreement, and peacebuilding remains a daunting task.

The main disagreements are over territory and security

The main topics of the talks were territorial issues, in particular the status of the Donbas regions and the role of the Russian-controlled Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant. The Russian side insisted on retaining a part of the territories of eastern Ukraine that it actually controls, which Kyiv categorically rejects. The Ukrainian delegation insists on the inalienability of territorial integrity and joint control over strategic facilities.

They also considered the possibility of international control and security guarantees that would involve the United States and other partners in a future peacekeeping mechanism. Despite some constructive discussions on the mechanics of solutions, the key no agreements were reached.

The role of the US and international pressure

The talks were actively mediated by the United States, including representatives of the administration and negotiators, who called for rapid progress. US President Donald Trump in the previous days called on the parties to reach an agreement, but the Ukrainian leadership rejects the idea of compromises that include territorial concessions.

In addition, the process was accompanied by pressure and statements from different capitals about the need to move towards peace, but without resolving the significant differences, the parties were unable to agree on further steps.

What's next

The parties confirmed their intention to continue negotiations in the near future, but no specific date for the next round has been announced. Despite diplomatic efforts, the war continues, and the struggle for strategic positions remains fierce.