On February 26, a bilateral meeting commenced in Geneva between Ukrainian officials and a U.S. delegation, including Stephen Witkoff, a special envoy from President Donald Trump, and Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law. The discussions are aimed at addressing economic support mechanisms for Ukraine’s recovery and fostering long-term investment opportunities.
Rustem Umerov, the Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine, emphasized the importance of the meeting on social media. He stated that the Ukrainian delegation would collaborate with the economic team to develop a “prosperity package,” which includes strategies for economic assistance and investment attraction. Umerov also mentioned that he would meet with David Arahamia, head of the Servant of the People faction in the Ukrainian parliament, to prepare for the next round of trilateral negotiations involving Russia.
Umerov highlighted the humanitarian aspects of the talks, particularly concerning potential exchanges of prisoners. He expressed hope for tangible outcomes regarding the return of Ukrainian citizens held abroad. “We are focused on practical solutions. We will provide updates after the meeting concludes,” he added.
President Volodymyr Zelensky had previously announced the Geneva meeting and suggested that the next round of trilateral negotiations among Ukraine, the U.S., and Russia could take place in early March. Several rounds of such talks have occurred in January and February, although specific results have not been disclosed. Notably, a meeting on February 5 resulted in an agreement for a prisoner exchange, the first in five months.
In a recent interview, Stephen Witkoff expressed optimism for positive developments in the coming weeks and indicated the possibility of a meeting between President Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Prior to the Geneva talks, President Trump urged Ukraine to engage in negotiations promptly, suggesting that Russia might be inclined to reach an agreement amid the ongoing conflict.
Despite U.S. efforts to mediate an end to the war, Russia has shown little willingness to compromise on its stringent demands, which include Ukraine’s relinquishment of territories in Donbas. Analysts from the Institute for the Study of War have noted that the Kremlin continues to reject Western security guarantees for Ukraine and maintains its maximalist objectives in the conflict.
Meanwhile, Ukraine insists on receiving robust security guarantees from the U.S. and European allies to safeguard against future Russian aggression.
The recent meeting in Geneva between Ukrainian officials and a U.S. delegation focuses on economic recovery and humanitarian issues amid ongoing conflict with Russia. As negotiations progress, both sides aim to synchronize their positions ahead of future talks with Russia.