President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has announced that a Ukrainian delegation will meet with US President Donald Trump’s envoys in the run-up to another round of trilateral talks with Russia.
A US push for peace has already brought Russia and Ukraine to the table in Abu Dhabi and Geneva this year, but the talks have produced no breakthrough on bridging key differences as Russia’s invasion of its neighbor enters its fifth year.
Zelenskyy told reporters that Rustem Umerov, Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council Secretary, is due to hold talks with Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner on Thursday, February 26, 2026, in Geneva.
Thursday’s meeting will address details of a possible postwar recovery plan for Ukraine and discuss preparations for an upcoming trilateral meeting with Moscow officials, Zelenskyy said, adding that he has also tasked Umerov with discussing a possible prisoner exchange.
Exchanges of captured soldiers and detainees have been a recurring feature of negotiations between Kyiv and Moscow since the start of the war. By including the matter in Thursday’s agenda, Zelenskyy signaled that humanitarian concerns remain intertwined with broader diplomatic efforts.
The reference to a “possible postwar recovery plan” highlights Ukraine’s emphasis on rebuilding infrastructure, industry and communities damaged during the war.
While Zelenskyy did not elaborate on specific elements of the plan, reconstruction has consistently been a priority for the Ukrainian government and its international partners.
Witkoff said yesterday that he would meet Umerov in Geneva for talks that could be followed by a trilateral meeting in Florida.
The involvement of US envoys ahead of talks with Moscow suggests coordination between Kyiv and Washington on both substance and approach.
Kyiv appears to be aiming for clarity on key issues, including the framework for recovery assistance and the scope of negotiation topics.
The meeting with Witkoff and Kushner is positioned as a preparatory step rather than a standalone negotiation, emphasizing its role in shaping the next trilateral engagement.
Talks With Russia To Take Place Next Week
Moreover, Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine expects the US-brokered talks with Russia to take place next week.
Witkoff said that previous talks with Russia and Ukraine have largely resolved the question of security guarantees. He stated that both sides are engaging with the peace efforts, with almost daily conversations taking place between officials.
Zelenskyy’s announcement comes as diplomatic channels remain active despite ongoing hostilities. The Ukrainian leader has repeatedly said that any negotiations must safeguard Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
According to the Institute for the Study of War, Ukrainian forces have in recent months pushed Russia’s army back at points along the roughly 1,250-kilometer (750-mile) front line in eastern areas of the country.
The Washington-based think tank said, that the “significant gains” are the biggest since 2024, ough they are unlikely to grow into major offensives as Ukraine struggles with a troop shortage.
Even so, they likely will disrupt Russian plans for a spring-summer offensive, it said. Ukraine has also continued its almost nightly long-range drone barrage of military and allied infrastructure targets deep inside Russia.
As efforts continue to manage the conflict diplomatically, the focus on recovery planning also serves as a reminder of the scale of rebuilding that will be required. Infrastructure damage, economic disruption and displacement have left Ukraine facing extensive reconstruction needs.
For now, Zelenskyy’s statement signals movement on multiple tracks: preparation for direct engagement with Russian officials, consultation with US representatives and attention to humanitarian measures such as prisoner exchanges.
The outcome of Thursday’s talks in Geneva may help determine the tone and direction of the upcoming trilateral meeting.
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