Following a recent round of trilateral talks held in Geneva, Ukrainian presidential office head Kyrylo Budanov announced that further discussions are expected soon. The negotiations, involving representatives from Ukraine, the United States, and Russia, took place on February 17-18 and were described by Budanov as challenging yet significant.
On the first day of the talks, the Ukrainian delegation departed from their hotel around 7:50 PM. Rustem Umerov, the head of the Ukrainian team and Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council, reported that the delegations continued their discussions in smaller groups focusing on specific issues. He noted that the conversations revolved around practical matters and the mechanisms for potential resolutions.
Umerov also held a separate meeting in Geneva with representatives from the United States, France, the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, and Switzerland. The participants reviewed the outcomes of the initial round of discussions and aligned their approaches for future steps. He emphasized the importance of maintaining a unified perspective and coordinated actions among Ukraine, the United States, and Europe.
Steve Witkoff, the U.S. Special Envoy, indicated that significant progress was made during the first day of talks. He stated that both sides agreed to provide updated information to their leaders and continue working towards a peace agreement.
The second day of negotiations, February 18, was characterized by Umerov as intense and substantive. He explained that both political and military tracks were being addressed, including discussions on security parameters and the implementation of potential agreements. Umerov added that some issues were clarified while others remain for further coordination. The next step involves achieving a necessary level of consensus to present the developed proposals to the presidents.
Vladimir Medinsky, the head of the Russian delegation, described the round of negotiations as difficult but constructive. President Volodymyr Zelensky noted that the parties reached a level of constructiveness regarding the monitoring of ceasefire agreements, with the U.S. committing to participate actively.
Previous negotiations between Ukraine and the U.S. included discussions on a 20-point peace plan aimed at ending the conflict, held in Berlin on December 14-15, 2025. Umerov reported a productive dialogue, with some progress achieved. On December 24, U.S. Ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker mentioned that four documents were under discussion, with Washington seeking to understand Moscow’s willingness to conclude the aggression.
On December 28, Zelensky met with U.S. President Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago, where they aligned on the peace plan and security guarantees. Following this, they engaged in a joint call with European leaders to further prepare these documents.
Russia has reviewed the proposals regarding the end of the war but has not provided explicit agreement. Trilateral talks took place in Abu Dhabi on January 23-24, focusing on concluding the conflict and advancing peace negotiations. Umerov reiterated that the goal of the discussions is to move towards a just and lasting peace.
In earlier meetings, Zelensky highlighted that key issues remain concerning the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, with the Ukrainian delegation expecting specific responses from Russia regarding the war’s conclusion.
Negotiations continued in Abu Dhabi on February 4-5, with discussions on ceasefire implementation and monitoring of hostilities. On February 13, it was confirmed that the next round of talks would take place in Geneva on February 17-18, as affirmed by both Ukrainian and Kremlin spokespersons. Umerov indicated that energy-related ceasefire discussions might also be on the agenda.
Prior to the Geneva talks, Zelensky consulted with Trump representatives Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, indicating a strategic approach to the ongoing negotiations.
Recent trilateral negotiations in Geneva between Ukraine, the U.S., and Russia focused on practical solutions for ending the conflict. Both sides reported significant progress, with further discussions anticipated.