War in Ukraine: Negotiations Still at an Impasse

Triggered in February 2022 by Russia's massive invasion of Ukraine, the war ravaging Eastern Europe is part of a context of increasing geopolitical tensions between Moscow and the West. The Kremlin then justified its offensive by the desire to « protect » the Russian-speaking populations of Donbass and to prevent NATO expansion at its borders.

However, this aggression has been widely condemned by the international community, leading to a large-scale conflict marked by thousands of deaths, massive population displacements, and a lasting upheaval of the European order.

In May 2025, more than three years after the start of hostilities, the war continues, and diplomatic efforts to achieve de-escalation or lasting peace remain difficult. Despite numerous international mediations, no negotiated solution has emerged so far. The most recent discussions, particularly between the United States and Russia, have yielded no concrete results, illustrating the diplomatic process's stagnation.

In this regard, the two-hour telephone exchange between US President Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, held on May 19, 2025, did not lead to any notable breakthrough. While Washington proposed a 30-day ceasefire — already accepted by Ukraine — Moscow rejected this proposal. The Kremlin continues to demand conditions unacceptable to Kyiv, including the total demilitarization of the country, the abandonment of its Euro-Atlantic ambitions, and the official recognition of the annexation of occupied Ukrainian territories. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, for his part, reiterated that any negotiated solution without Ukraine's active participation would be not only illegitimate but also ineffective in the long term.

In parallel, the United States' bilateral approach, focused on direct exchanges with Russia, is drawing increasing criticism in Europe. Many Western allies have felt excluded from the process. In response, six European powers — France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Poland, Italy, and Spain — formed the diplomatic alliance « Weimar+ » in February 2025. This group aims to strengthen Europe's voice in peace negotiations while defending Ukraine's interests on the international stage. Furthermore, initiatives like the « coalition of volunteers », launched by Emmanuel Macron and Keir Starmer, aim to provide Ukraine with reinforced security support, regardless of the evolution of diplomatic discussions.

Moreover, the United States' attitude remains ambiguous. While Donald Trump positions himself as a possible mediator, his discourse oscillates between firmness and disengagement. Frustrated by the lack of concrete results, he has raised the possibility of an American withdrawal from the process if no progress is made. This statement caused additional tensions with Kyiv, especially since, during an official visit to the White House in February 2025, President Zelenskyy was publicly criticized by Trump and his Vice President JD Vance. This further weakened ties between the two allies.