Ukraine, U.S. begin talks in Geneva

Police are seen in Geneva, Switzerland, Feb. 26, 2026. Ukrainian and U.S. delegations began talks in Geneva on Thursday as part of the efforts to end the years-long Ukraine-Russia conflict. (Xinhua/Lian Yi)

GENEVA, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- Ukrainian and U.S. delegations began talks in Geneva on Thursday as part of the efforts to end the years-long Ukraine-Russia conflict.

Ukraine's chief negotiator, Rustem Umerov, also Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council Secretary, announced on the social media platform X that the meeting had begun with U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.

Umerov said the delegations "will thoroughly work through the prosperity package: mechanisms for economic support and recovery of Ukraine, instruments for attracting investment, and frameworks for long-term cooperation."

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky wrote on X that he had spoken with U.S. President Trump and discussed issues to be addressed during Thursday's bilateral meeting, as well as preparations for the next round of trilateral negotiations among Ukraine, the United States and Russia, which is expected in early March.

"We expect this meeting to create an opportunity to move talks to the leaders' level," Zelensky said.

The Ukrainian, Russian and U.S. delegations previously held two rounds of talks in Abu Dhabi on Jan. 23-24 and Feb. 4-5, followed by another round in Geneva on Feb. 17-18, yielding no agreement on key issues.

Police are seen in Geneva, Switzerland, Feb. 26, 2026. Ukrainian and U.S. delegations began talks in Geneva on Thursday as part of the efforts to end the years-long Ukraine-Russia conflict. (Xinhua/Lian Yi)