One week before the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, US-mediated peace talks in Geneva ended early on Wednesday, highlighting the persistent deadlock in efforts to end Europe’s deadliest conflict since World War II. The talks, led by Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, marked the latest attempt to broker a ceasefire, yet no breakthrough was achieved.
Since the war began in February 2022, multiple rounds of diplomacy have failed to halt hostilities. Early direct talks in Kyiv and Belarus quickly collapsed, while regional meetings in Turkiye and initiatives like the Black Sea Grain Initiative provided limited humanitarian relief but no political resolution. Subsequent peace proposals—from Ukraine, China, African nations, and various US-led efforts—have repeatedly faltered over issues including territorial control, sovereignty, and military limitations.
Trump’s administration has remained actively involved, with high-profile meetings between US, Russian, and Ukrainian officials in Alaska, Geneva, Berlin, Miami, and Abu Dhabi. Some agreements, like prisoner exchanges, were achieved, but fundamental disputes over Ukraine’s Donbas region and Russia’s territorial ambitions remain unresolved.
As Ukraine approaches its fifth year of war, the Geneva talks underscore the complexities of mediating a conflict with entrenched positions, high civilian casualties, and significant geopolitical stakes, leaving hopes for an immediate ceasefire distant.
