National Security and Defense Council Secretary Rustem Umerov said that Ukraine had begun a bilateral meeting in Geneva with US officials as part of ongoing negotiations on Thursday, Feb. 26.
In a Telegram post published the same day, Umerov confirmed that the US delegation included Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.
Representing Ukraine alongside Umerov are lawmaker Davyd Arakhamia, Deputy Economy Minister Oleksiy Sobolev and Deputy Head of the President’s Office Daryna Marchak.
Agenda of the talks
Umerov said the talks would focus on what he described as a “prosperity package,” including mechanisms for economic support and reconstruction, tools to attract investment and frameworks for long-term cooperation.
He added that he and Arakhamia would discuss preparations for the next round of trilateral negotiations involving the Russian side, emphasizing the need to synchronize positions ahead of that stage. A separate block of talks will address humanitarian issues, including potential prisoner exchanges.
“We are working toward practical solutions,” Umerov said, adding that further details would be announced after the meeting concludes.
Previous negotiations
On Wednesday evening, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed that the bilateral talks would take place, with preparations underway for a new round of trilateral negotiations involving Russia in early March.
The previous round of trilateral US-Ukraine-Russia peace talks in Geneva wrapped up on Feb. 17-18, with lead Russian negotiator Vladimir Medinsky describing the session as “difficult, but businesslike.”
Although the issue of territory remains a sticking point – Moscow continues to demand that Kyiv cede territory the Russian army has failed to win in four years of full-scale war – the military track proved more productive, with negotiators shaping the terms of a possible ceasefire.
A source familiar with the discussions told CNN that negotiators made “incremental but significant progress,” agreeing on common terms and technical details to avoid confusion and make the ceasefire workable.
Zelensky confirmed that the military track is nearing completion, saying negotiators are close to a full draft on ceasefire monitoring.