Geneva

Delegations from Russia and Ukraine arrived in Geneva on Tuesday for another round of United States–brokered peace talks, coming just days ahead of the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed that Kyiv’s delegation was in Switzerland, while Russia’s state news agency Tass reported that Moscow’s team had also reached Geneva. The talks, scheduled to take place over two days, were expected to begin later on Tuesday.

According to a person familiar with the discussions, US President Donald Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff and his son-in-law Jared Kushner are set to engage with the delegations. The talks are expected to involve difficult negotiations over the future of Russian-occupied Ukrainian territory, particularly as Russian officials continue to insist that Ukraine cede control of parts of its eastern Donbas region.

Military leaders from Russia, Ukraine and the United States are also expected to meet in Geneva to discuss how a potential ceasefire could be monitored and implemented. Previous rounds of talks in Abu Dhabi examined proposals for a demilitarised zone and mechanisms for maintaining communication between the respective armed forces.

Despite the renewed diplomatic push, expectations for a breakthrough remain low. Neither side appears willing to soften its stance on key territorial issues, even as Washington has reportedly set June as a target for reaching a settlement.

Ukraine’s smaller and stretched military continues to face a war of attrition against Russia’s larger forces along a front line stretching roughly 1,250 kilometres. Ukrainian civilians, meanwhile, remain under sustained aerial attacks that have repeatedly damaged homes and critical infrastructure.

The fate of nearly 20 per cent of Ukrainian territory currently occupied or claimed by Russia remains central to the negotiations, alongside Kyiv’s demands for postwar security guarantees, including a US-backed deterrent to prevent future aggression.

Trump described the Geneva discussions as “big talks,” telling reporters late Monday that Ukraine “better come to the table fast,” though it was not immediately clear what he meant, given Ukraine’s continued participation in negotiations aimed at ending the war.

The commander of US and NATO forces in Europe, Alexus Grynkewich, and US Army Secretary Dan Driscoll are attending the Geneva meeting on behalf of the US military, according to Colonel Martin O’Donnell, a spokesperson for the US commander.

Even as talks were set to begin, fighting continued. Zelenskyy said Russia launched nearly 400 long-range drones and 29 missiles overnight at 12 regions across Ukraine, injuring at least nine people, including children. He added that tens of thousands of residents in the southern port city of Odesa were left without heating and running water.

The Ukrainian president said Moscow must be held accountable for ongoing attacks, arguing that they undermine US-led efforts to secure peace. He reiterated that Ukraine had agreed to all “realistic proposals” put forward by Washington, including a long-term, unconditional ceasefire.

The Geneva talks are taking place amid broader diplomatic activity in Switzerland, where US officials are also holding indirect discussions with Iran.

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Earlier rounds of negotiations in Abu Dhabi were described by participants as constructive, though officials cautioned that progress would depend on political will from all sides. The United States has said it has re-established direct military communication with Russia, with the aim of preventing escalation while diplomatic efforts continue.