Land Dispute Takes Center Stage at Geneva Peace Talks Between Russia and Ukraine

Post by : Saif

New peace talks between Russia and Ukraine are set to take place in Geneva, with land control expected to be the main and most difficult issue on the table. The meetings are being mediated by the United States and come just days before the fourth anniversary of the full-scale war. While both sides are sending senior representatives, expectations for a major breakthrough remain low.

The talks follow two earlier rounds held in Abu Dhabi that were described as constructive but did not produce a deal. This new round shifts the setting to Geneva, a city long known for international diplomacy. Officials close to the negotiations say the biggest barrier to peace is still territory — specifically how much Ukrainian land is under Russian control and whether Ukraine would ever agree to give up any part of it.

U.S. President Donald Trump has been pushing both sides to reach an agreement to end what is considered the largest war in Europe since World War II. However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said publicly that Ukraine feels heavy pressure to make concessions, while Russia faces less. That imbalance, according to Kyiv, makes the talks harder.

Russia currently controls about one-fifth of Ukraine’s territory, including Crimea and large parts of the Donbas region. Moscow is demanding that Ukraine give up the remaining part of the Donetsk region that Russian forces have not fully captured. Ukraine has firmly rejected this demand and says its land is not open for bargaining. For Ukraine, giving up territory is seen not only as a political loss but also as a threat to future security.

The Russian side is being led by aides and envoys connected to President Vladimir Putin. Some Ukrainian negotiators have criticized past Russian representatives for turning talks into history lectures instead of practical problem-solving. This has further reduced hope that the Geneva meetings will quickly produce results.

Ukraine’s delegation includes top national security and defense officials. Before traveling, Ukrainian representatives said their goal remains a “sustainable and lasting peace,” but not at any price. That wording signals that Kyiv wants guarantees for safety and independence, not just a ceasefire line on a map.

Beyond land borders, several other disputes remain unresolved. One is control of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, a major facility that has raised global safety concerns during the war. Another is whether Western countries would deploy troops or security forces in Ukraine after any peace deal. Russia strongly opposes that idea, while Ukraine sees outside security support as important.

The timing of the talks adds emotional and political weight. Nearly four years have passed since the invasion began. Tens of thousands of people have been killed, millions have left their homes, and many cities and towns have been damaged or destroyed. Energy sites have been frequent targets, leaving many civilians without power and heat during winter months. The longer the war continues, the harder and more costly recovery will be.

Even so, the fact that both sides are still willing to sit at the same table matters. Peace processes often move slowly, with many failed rounds before any success. Diplomacy is rarely dramatic. It is usually made of small steps, repeated meetings, and partial agreements that build over time.

The Geneva talks show that land remains the core question: who controls which territory, under what legal status, and with what security guarantees. Until there is movement on that issue, a full peace deal is unlikely. Still, continued dialogue keeps open a path — however narrow — toward reducing violence and eventually ending the war.

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