News|Russia-Ukraine warZelenskyy speaks with Trump about peace efforts, eyes leaders-level talksConversation precedes meeting between US and Ukrainian envoys in Geneva on Thursday.
On Wed, Feb 24, 2026, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a phone conversation with United States President Donald Trump regarding ongoing peace negotiations with Russia. This discussion, joined by US envoy Steve Witkoff and adviser Jared…
On Wed, Feb 24, 2026, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a phone conversation with United States President Donald Trump regarding ongoing peace negotiations with Russia. This discussion, joined by US envoy Steve Witkoff and adviser Jared Kushner, occurred prior to a scheduled meeting of US and Ukrainian officials in Geneva.
The conversation lasted approximately 30 minutes, according to Ukrainian presidential adviser Dmytro Lytvyn. Both leaders addressed the agenda for the upcoming meeting and the preparations for the next round of trilateral discussions involving Russian officials, anticipated to take place in early March.
The meeting in Geneva on Thursday will include Ukraine’s lead negotiator, Rustem Umerov, alongside Kushner and Witkoff. Key topics will be the details of a potential post-war recovery plan for Ukraine, preparations for the forthcoming trilateral meeting in March, and a possible prisoner exchange.
Additionally, Russia’s economic affairs envoy Kirill Dmitriev is scheduled to meet US negotiators to discuss economic issues, as reported by the state-run TASS news agency.
The discussions form part of a renewed effort to advance peace negotiations, led by President Trump. Despite these efforts, significant progress toward resolving the four-year conflict has not yet been achieved. The war has resulted in substantial casualties, displacement of millions of Ukrainians, and heightened security concerns across Europe.
This discussion, joined by US envoy Steve Witkoff and adviser Jared Kushner, occurred prior to a scheduled meeting of US and Ukrainian officials in Geneva.
During a press conference in Kyiv with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store, President Zelenskyy indicated that Thursday’s meeting would also cover a proposed "prosperity package." While the US aims to expedite the resolution of the conflict, notable differences remain between Moscow and Kyiv regarding their negotiation positions.
President Zelenskyy believes the challenges are primarily political rather than military. He anticipates that trilateral talks will commence in early March, with economic documentation being prepared at a bilateral meeting between Ukraine and the United States.
According to the World Bank’s latest assessment released on Mon, Feb 22, 2026, rebuilding Ukraine's economy will require an estimated $588 billion. Since the initiation of direct talks in January, Russia and Ukraine have faced significant disagreements on major issues, including territorial control and security guarantees.
Moscow's demands for Kyiv to relinquish control of the Donbas region have been rejected by Ukraine. Ukraine insists on obtaining security guarantees from its allies, such as the United States, to prevent future invasions.
On the anniversary of the conflict, President Zelenskyy reaffirmed Ukraine's resolve, stating that Russia has not succeeded in breaking the spirit of the Ukrainian people or achieving its war objectives. Meanwhile, the Kremlin has acknowledged its unmet goals but remains committed to continuing the conflict.
Based on reporting by Al Jazeera.