Delegations from Moscow and Kyiv met in Geneva on Tuesday for a new round of U.S.-brokered peace talks, coming just days before the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. With both sides holding firm on core demands, expectations for a breakthrough remained low.

Ukrainian negotiator Rustem Umerov shared photos of the delegations seated around a horseshoe-shaped table, noting that the agenda focuses on security and humanitarian issues. The United States was represented by envoy Steve Witkoff and adviser Jared Kushner.

A major obstacle continues to be Russia’s insistence that Ukraine cede control of the eastern Donbas region. Military leaders from the United States, Russia, and Ukraine also joined the discussions to explore potential ceasefire monitoring mechanisms and future security guarantees.

President Donald Trump called the gathering “big talks” and urged Ukraine to “come to the table fast,” even though Kyiv has consistently taken part in negotiations.

Russia’s delegation is led by Vladimir Medinsky, a longtime adviser who previously headed peace efforts in early 2022. Also attending on the U.S. side were Gen. Alexus Grynkewich, the commander of U.S. and NATO forces in Europe, and Army Secretary Dan Driscoll.

As the talks were underway, Russia launched a large-scale drone and missile attack across 12 Ukrainian regions, injuring civilians and leaving tens of thousands without heat or running water in the city of Odesa. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the strikes, saying they undermine Washington’s push for peace and reiterating that Ukraine has accepted all realistic U.S. proposals, including a long-term ceasefire.

Meanwhile, Ukraine’s Security Service carried out long-range drone strikes on strategic sites deep inside Russia, including the Tamanneftegaz oil terminal in the Krasnodar region and the Metafrax Chemicals plant in the Perm region.

The Geneva discussions coincided with separate indirect U.S.–Iran talks also being held in the city, underscoring Geneva’s role in several parallel diplomatic efforts.