US-Ukraine Meeting Set Ahead of Crucial Trilateral Talks with Russia

Representatives from Ukraine and the United States will meet in Geneva on Thursday ahead of high-stakes trilateral negotiations that will include Russian envoys, as the conflict between Russia and Ukraine enters its fifth year.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced the upcoming meeting while speaking with reporters, according to The Associated Press. The bilateral discussions will focus on Ukraine’s post-war recovery prospects and preparations for the subsequent trilateral talks with Russia.

The Geneva meeting is expected to include Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council Secretary Rustem Umerov, U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff, and former President Donald Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner. Umerov’s press secretary, Diana Davytian, confirmed Geneva as the meeting location to the AP. The Swiss city will simultaneously host separate U.S.-Iran nuclear negotiations on the same day as the trilateral talks.

Zelenskyy indicated that prisoner exchanges will be a priority topic for Umerov during the discussions. The Ukrainian leader expressed hope that the subsequent negotiations with Russia could take place as early as next week.

The Trump administration has been pushing aggressively to end the prolonged conflict, which has brought Russian and Ukrainian representatives together for discussions in both Abu Dhabi and Geneva. Despite these diplomatic efforts, a breakthrough peace agreement has remained elusive.

Last week, Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Zelenskyy to discuss “Ukraine’s security and deepening defense and economic partnerships.” Following the meeting, Rubio emphasized on social media that “President Trump wants a solution that ends the bloodshed once and for all.”

Zelenskyy also reported recent conversations with both Witkoff and Kushner in advance of the Geneva meetings, which he characterized as potentially “truly productive.” The Ukrainian leader expressed gratitude for America’s “constructive approach” and willingness to assist in “protecting lives.”

“Not everything can be shared over the phone, and our negotiating team will present Ukraine’s position next week,” Zelenskyy wrote on X. “I thank President Trump, his team, and the people of the United States for their support.”

These diplomatic developments come at a significant moment in the conflict. Tuesday marked the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Despite the ongoing war entering its fifth year, Zelenskyy remained defiant, asserting that Russian President Vladimir Putin had neither defeated Ukraine nor broken the nation’s spirit.

The Ukrainian leader’s statement coincided with reports from the Institute for the Study of War indicating that Ukrainian forces have made their largest territorial gains of 2024, pushing back Russian troops at several points along the eastern front line. These tactical successes could strengthen Ukraine’s position heading into the negotiations.

The upcoming trilateral talks represent the most significant diplomatic engagement between the warring parties in months. Territorial disputes remain a central sticking point, with both sides maintaining firm positions on land control and sovereignty.

International observers are watching the Geneva meetings closely, as they could signal whether a negotiated settlement might be possible after years of devastating conflict. With the Trump administration’s clear focus on ending the war, pressure is mounting on both Ukraine and Russia to find a path toward peace.

The State Department did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the upcoming diplomatic engagements.