Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has shared details of a recent conversation with former U.S. President Donald Trump, which took place on the evening of February 25. The discussion included key members of Trump’s team, notably Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.
Zelensky expressed gratitude for the involvement of the U.S. in ongoing negotiations aimed at ending the conflict in Ukraine, describing the current winter as particularly challenging for the country. He noted that missile systems for air defense, which Ukraine can procure from the U.S. through the PURL program, are crucial for navigating these difficulties and protecting lives.
During the call, Zelensky and Trump discussed topics that will be addressed at a bilateral meeting in Geneva, scheduled for February 26. Zelensky indicated that this meeting would precede a larger trilateral discussion involving Ukraine, the U.S., and Russia in early March. He expressed hope that these meetings would pave the way for negotiations at the leadership level, emphasizing that such dialogue is essential for resolving complex and sensitive issues to ultimately conclude the war.
Trump has not publicly commented on the conversation. Earlier on the same day, the Ukrainian presidential office reported that the call with Trump lasted approximately 30 minutes.
Zelensky also hinted that the next round of trilateral talks concerning the cessation of hostilities could occur in early March, following a meeting between Rustem Umerov, the head of the Ukrainian delegation, and U.S. negotiators. This meeting is set for February 26.
In January and February, several rounds of trilateral meetings involving Ukraine, the U.S., and Russia have taken place, although specific outcomes have not been disclosed. However, a notable agreement was reached on February 5 regarding the exchange of prisoners of war, marking the first such arrangement in five months.
Stephen Witkoff, a special envoy for Trump, recently stated in an interview that he anticipates positive developments in the coming weeks and mentioned the possibility of a meeting between Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Prior to the Geneva talks, Trump had suggested that Ukraine should engage in negotiations promptly, asserting that Russia appears interested in reaching an agreement amid the ongoing conflict.
Despite U.S. efforts to mediate a resolution, Russia has shown no inclination to soften its demands, which include Ukraine relinquishing control 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 remains committed to its maximalist objectives in the conflict.
Meanwhile, Ukraine insists on robust security assurances from the U.S. and European allies to safeguard against potential future aggression from Russia.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has detailed a recent conversation with former U.S. President Donald Trump about ongoing peace negotiations. The discussions emphasize the need for strong security guarantees for Ukraine as it navigates complex diplomatic efforts with Russia.