Скачать или смотреть Four years in: can diplomacy end the Ukraine war?

During his campaign for president, Donald Trump vowed to end the war in Ukraine within twenty-four hours of taking office. But now, as the conflict enters its fifth year, there is no end in sight. US-mediated talks have struggled to gain traction. Meetings in Geneva and Abu Dhabi aimed to narrow differences and explore ceasefire frameworks. But while diplomatic channels remain open, fighting continues, with the heaviest in eastern Ukraine.

Russian missiles and drones continue to strike infrastructure and cities. Kiev says negotiations cannot move forward under sustained bombardment. Moscow insists its territorial gains must be recognised, including full control of the Donbas region. But neither side is ready to concede. Throughout last year, Türkiye re-emerged as a key mediator. Ankara hosted talks maintained open lines with both capitals and positioned itself once again as a rare diplomatic bridge. Nearly five years in, hundreds of thousands of soldiers have been killed or wounded, with tens of thousands of civilian deaths. As the war grinds on, the question remains: can diplomacy finally overtake the battlefield?

Guests:
Alexey Muraviev
Associate professor at Curtin University

Peter Zalmayev
Director of the Eurasia Democracy Initiative

Zuhal Mert Uzuner
Professor at Marmara University