As the world marks the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, diplomatic initiatives aimed at resolving the ongoing conflict remain fraught with challenges. Recent peace talks in Geneva, orchestrated by figures from the Trump administration, signal a renewed—but still troubled—effort to mitigate the deadly confrontation that has claimed over a million lives. This situation underscores not only the complexities of international negotiations but also the deepening global stakes as various nations strive to broker peace in an increasingly fraught geopolitical climate.
One week ahead of the fourth anniversary of Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, United States-led peace talks in Geneva concluded earlier than planned on Wednesday. These discussions, mediated by Steve Witkoff, a former special envoy of President Donald Trump, alongside Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law, exemplify yet another attempt to resolve the most intense fighting in Europe since World War II. Despite ongoing diplomatic efforts, previous talks have failed to yield significant breakthroughs.
During his 2024 presidential campaign, Trump asserted his capability to negotiate a ceasefire in Ukraine within “24 hours.” However, he has yet to fulfill this ambitious pledge, leaving many observers skeptical about the prospects for peace. As the conflict nears its fifth year, the urgency for resolution becomes increasingly critical.
A timeline of mediation efforts illustrates the complexities of ending the war. The first ceasefire talks occurred just four days after the invasion in February 2022. Despite featuring high-ranking officials from both sides, these negotiations yielded no agreements. Additional rounds of talks, including three rounds in Belarus, also failed to bring about tangible results.
In March and April 2022, meetings in Antalya, Turkiye, saw foreign ministers from both nations seeking to find common ground. Yet, Russia’s withdrawal from parts of Ukraine later that month revealed disturbing evidence of atrocities, complicating future negotiations. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed these revelations would obstruct dialogue, while Russian President Vladimir Putin maintained the discussions were at a stalemate.
July 2022 saw a notable milestone with the signing of the Black Sea Grain Initiative, aimed at averting a global food crisis by establishing safe maritime routes for grain exports stuck in Ukrainian ports. This agreement, signed in Istanbul and involving the United Nations, represented a significant diplomatic achievement amid escalating tensions.
As the years progressed, Ukraine’s peace proposals, including a ten-point plan presented at the G20 summit in November 2022, called for Russia’s withdrawal from occupied territories and addressed key issues such as nuclear safety and food security. Russia’s refusal to comply has continued to hinder progress.
Notably, China also proposed a peace plan in February 2023, urging both sides to engage in talks that uphold sovereignty and territorial integrity. However, skepticism remained among Western allies regarding China’s stance on Russian actions.
In June 2023, a delegation of African leaders, led by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, visited Ukraine and Russia to advocate for a de-escalation plan focused on food security—a critical concern for the African continent affected by the war’s implications on grain prices. However, this initiative was met with pushback from Zelenskyy, who argued that a ceasefire without a Russian withdrawal could merely lead to a protracted stalemate.
The August 2023 Jeddah summit gathered representatives from 40 countries, aiming to discuss Zelenskyy’s “Peace Formula,” although it ultimately concluded without consensus. China’s envoy’s participation marked a significant moment in the dialogue dynamics, though it drew criticism from Russia, which claimed such efforts would be futile without its involvement.
A peace summit held in Switzerland in June 2024, with participation from over 90 nations, aimed to discuss nuclear safety, food security, and territorial disputes, but Russia’s exclusion and the absence of key nations like Saudi Arabia from signing the final joint statement highlighted ongoing diplomatic divides.
In February 2025, Trump re-engaged with Putin, proposing a trilateral meeting. However, concerns arose about Ukraine and the European Union being sidelined in the negotiation process.
As recently as January 2026, Abu Dhabi hosted trilateral talks, mediated by the UAE, resulting in a significant prisoner exchange but leaving crucial political and security issues unresolved. A further round of discussions on February 4 saw an agreement on the exchange of prisoners—an encouraging step amidst the backdrop of a continued impasse over critical concerns.
Currently, Geneva is the site of renewed negotiations, with senior military officials from both Ukraine and Russia attending the ongoing discussions. Nevertheless, the outcome remains uncertain as Russia insists on retaining the territories it has seized. The road to reconciliation in Ukraine is proving as complex and winding as the war itself.
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