Zelenskyy Expects Putin Meeting After Kushner & Witkoff Talks in Geneva

Geneva – Representatives from Ukraine and the United States met on Thursday in Geneva, ahead of anticipated trilateral talks with Russia, as the conflict in Ukraine enters its fifth year. The meetings are focused on potential post-war recovery for Ukraine and preparations for direct negotiations with Moscow, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has confirmed.

Zelenskyy announced the discussions on X, stating he had spoken with U.S. Special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner prior to their arrival in Switzerland. He expressed gratitude for their “active engagement” in seeking a resolution to the war. While neither Russia nor the United States has officially confirmed the trilateral meeting in Geneva, Zelenskyy indicated he expects the talks to pave the way for a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in early March.

The U.S.-Ukraine meeting included Rustem Umerov, Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council Secretary, alongside Witkoff and Kushner, according to Zelenskyy. Umerov’s press secretary, Diana Davytian, confirmed the meeting would take place in Geneva, a city also hosting U.S.-Iran nuclear negotiations on the same day.

Zelenskyy has tasked Umerov with discussing a potential prisoner exchange during the negotiations. The Ukrainian leader emphasized his desire for the talks with Russia to commence next week, signaling a renewed push for a diplomatic solution after years of intense fighting.

The timing of these discussions is particularly significant, coinciding with the fourth anniversary of the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine. Commemorations were held in cities across Ukraine, including Bucha, where residents marked the occasion with ceremonies honoring those killed during the Russian occupation. The ongoing conflict has resulted in widespread devastation and displacement, prompting international calls for a ceasefire and a lasting peace agreement.

Beyond the immediate focus on Ukraine, the Geneva talks are occurring against a backdrop of complex geopolitical dynamics. The presence of U.S. Negotiators engaged in separate discussions with Iran underscores the city’s role as a hub for international diplomacy. The situation is further complicated by Hungary’s recent move to block a proposed €90 billion EU loan for Kyiv and the 20th package of sanctions against Russia, in response to disruptions in Russian oil shipments via the Druzhba pipeline.

Ukraine is also seeking to repair the Druzhba oil pipeline, which has been impacted by what Kyiv claims was a Russian strike on equipment in western Ukraine. Slovakia and Hungary, however, attribute the prolonged outage to Ukraine, adding another layer of tension to the regional energy landscape.

In a separate development, Zelenskyy also expressed gratitude to Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre following an agreement for Norway to provide approximately $1.2 billion in aid to Ukraine, supporting a joint drone production initiative. “Thank you, Jonas! Norway contributes a lot of support and is one of our biggest partners,” Zelenskyy stated.

Steve Witkoff, the U.S. Special envoy, reportedly believes a meeting between Zelenskyy and Putin could occur within weeks. This assessment, while not independently confirmed by all parties, suggests a potential opening for direct dialogue between the two leaders, despite the ongoing hostilities and deep-seated mistrust.

The international community continues to monitor the situation closely, with hopes that these diplomatic efforts will lead to a de-escalation of the conflict and a pathway towards a sustainable peace. The success of the Geneva talks, and any subsequent meeting between Zelenskyy and Putin, will be crucial in determining the future of Ukraine and the broader security architecture of Europe.