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KYIV — Ukrainian officials traveled to Geneva on Monday for another round of U.S.-brokered negotiations with Russia, as the war approaches its fourth year with no clear path to resolution.
The talks, scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday in Switzerland, come amid muted expectations. Both sides remain firm on key territorial and security demands, even after Washington set a June deadline for a potential settlement. The future status of Ukrainian territories currently occupied or claimed by Russia remains at the center of discussions.
Ukrainian forces continue to engage Russian troops along a roughly 1,250-kilometer front line in what has become a prolonged war of attrition. Civilian areas in Ukraine face ongoing drone and missile strikes, while Kyiv has intensified its own long-range drone operations targeting infrastructure inside Russia.
In western Russia, Bryansk regional governor Alexander Bogomaz said air defense units intercepted 229 Ukrainian drones within 24 hours, describing it as an unprecedented volume of attacks in a single day for the region.
Ukraine’s Air Force reported that Russia launched 62 long-range strike drones and six missiles overnight.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said the Geneva talks will address a “broader range of issues related to the territories and other issues connected to the demands that we have.” He did not provide further details.
U.S. President Donald Trump described the upcoming meeting as “big talks,” telling reporters aboard Air Force One, “Ukraine better come to the table fast.”
Despite nearly a year of diplomatic efforts by Washington, the conflict has shown little sign of easing. Western analysts assess that Russian President Vladimir Putin believes prolonged fighting may weaken Western backing for Kyiv and erode Ukrainian resistance.
Ukraine’s delegation is set to be led by Rustem Umerov, head of the country’s National Security and Defense Council. Gen. Kyrylo Budanov, a senior Ukrainian official, posted an image on Telegram showing members of the team preparing to depart by train, as Ukrainian airspace remains closed due to the war.
Russia’s delegation will again be headed by presidential adviser Vladimir Medinsky, who led Moscow’s team during direct talks held in Istanbul in March 2022. Also part of the delegation are Igor Kostyukov, chief of Russian military intelligence, and Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin.
In addition, Putin’s envoy Kirill Dmitriev is expected in Geneva for separate discussions with U.S. officials on economic cooperation, according to the Kremlin.
It remains unclear which American officials will attend the Geneva meeting. In earlier negotiations held in Abu Dhabi, U.S. representation included envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.
Any tentative understandings reached in Geneva will be subject to approval by leaders in Moscow and Kyiv before implementation.