The diplomatic push to end the grinding war in Ukraine has hit a wall of ice in Switzerland. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has emerged from the US-mediated talks in Geneva with a grim assessment, accusing the Russian delegation of "dragging out" negotiations and refusing to budge on the most critical issues of sovereignty and security.

As the conflict enters its fifth year, the hope for a breakthrough has evaporated in the cold light of geopolitical reality. "The positions differ because the negotiations were not easy," Zelenskyy told reporters, his frustration evident. The talks, intended to find a roadmap to peace, have instead highlighted the gaping chasm between Kyiv and Moscow. While some "groundwork" has been laid, the core disputes—specifically the fate of occupied territories in the East and the control of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant—remain unresolved and toxic.

The Sticking Points

The deadlock centers on two non-negotiables. For Ukraine, the return of the Zaporizhzhia plant is a matter of nuclear safety and national sovereignty. For Russia, maintaining control over the Donbas and other seized territories is a strategic imperative they are unwilling to relinquish. Zelenskyy’s accusation that Moscow is "playing for time" suggests he believes the Kremlin is waiting for a shift in the international political wind—perhaps looking toward future US elections or European fatigue—rather than seeking a genuine end to the violence.

• The Nuclear Shadow: The Zaporizhzhia plant remains the most dangerous flashpoint. Russia's refusal to demilitarize the zone keeps the threat of a radiological disaster hanging over the entire continent.
• The US Role: The presence of US mediators underscores the global stakes, but even American pressure has failed to crack the Russian resolve. The "dragging out" tactic is a classic diplomatic attrition strategy, designed to wear down the opponent's will.

A War of Attrition

With the talks stalled, the focus returns to the battlefield. Zelenskyy’s comments signal to his people and his allies that there will be no quick fix, no easy compromise. The war will not end in a conference room in Geneva—at least, not yet.

For the soldiers on the front lines and the civilians in the bomb shelters, the failure in Geneva means the nightmare continues. Peace remains a distant, elusive mirage, obscured by the smoke of a war that Russia seems in no hurry to finish.