Russia changed up its roster of representatives for the latest round of trilateral talks with Ukraine and the US in Geneva Tuesday -- as fresh airstrikes by Moscow underscored the steep challenges facing negotiators.
While all parties deemed the first two rounds of discussion "constructive" -- in large part because of the focus on military over political issues -- Russia drafted in top Vladimir Putin aide Vladimir Medinsky as lead negotiator this time around, a move one US official complained was "not a step toward a solution."
By contrast, both the American and Ukrainian delegations remained the same.
Special Presidential Envoy Steve Witkoff, Trump brother-in-law Jared Kushner, Gen. Alexus Grynkewich of US European Command, and Army Secretary Dan Driscoll represented the Trump administration, while former Kyiv defense minister and current secretary of Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council Rustem Umerov led the Ukrainians.
Umerov struck a cautious tone going into the negotiations, saying Kyiv was "working constructively, focused and without excessive expectations" to resolve disputes over territory, security guarantees and implementation mechanisms, and adding that discussions would include "humantiarian issues."
"We have the frameworks approved by the President of Ukraine and a clear mandate," he wrote in a post to X. "Our task is to maximally advance those solutions that can bring sustainable peace closer."
The talks come days before the fourth anniversary of Russia's 2022 invasion and amid a push for a rapid settlement to overcome deeply entrenched positions -- particularly Moscow's demand that Ukraine surrender remaining territory in the eastern Donetsk region, which Kyiv has rejected.
Over the past two months, Russia has lost more troops than it has been able to replace, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio estimating Moscow's losses at roughly 35,000 in December and 30,000 in January -- more than the US lost during the entire Vietnam War.
Ukrainian losses estimated to be far fewer -- with units across the battlefield reporting casualty ratios ranging from five to 20 Russians per Ukrainian.
Still, Moscow has shown no signs of giving up its fight -- launching 29 missiles and 400 drones at targets across Ukraine just hours before negotiations began, damaging energy infrastructure and leaving tens of thousands without power and heat, officials said.
"This very clearly demonstrates what Russia wants and what they are up to," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in a statement. "The threat of strikes does not disappear. Cold weather in itself attracts Russia, and they will continue to try to put winter at the service of war."
The onslaught came after President Trump struck an optimistic tone on Monday, previewing the "big talks."
"It's going to be very easy," he told reporters. "Ukraine better come to the table fast. That's all I'm telling you. We are in a position, we want them to come."
Discussions are expected to continue Wednesday.