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Trilateral peace talks between the US, Ukraine and Russia began today in Geneva, Switzerland, in a new effort brokered by Washington to end the nearly four-year-old war.
The head of the Ukrainian delegation, Rustem Umerov (secretary of the National Security and Defense Council), confirmed the start of the meetings and shared on the X platform photos from the negotiation hall, where the three delegations are seated at a horseshoe-shaped table.
Today, we are starting another round of negotiations in a trilateral format — Ukraine, the United States, and Russia.
— Rustem Umerov (@rustem_umerov) February 17, 2026
We thank the American side for its engagement and consistent work in the negotiation process. We are grateful to Switzerland for organizing the meeting and... pic.twitter.com/RqfSGXDk88
"The Ukrainian team has a clear mandate. Security and humanitarian issues are on the agenda. We are working constructively, focused and without excessive expectations. Our task is to maximally advance those solutions that can bring sustainable peace closer ," Umerov wrote.
Russian news agency RIA Novosti also reported that the talks have begun at the Intercontinental Hotel in Geneva. This is the third round of negotiations in this format after two previous rounds in Abu Dhabi.
Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis welcomed the parties and emphasized Switzerland's role as a neutral platform for dialogue.
"Switzerland welcomes the US, Russia and Ukraine to Geneva for trilateral talks focused on peace and stability. We offer a platform for dialogue and de-escalation in support of peace. Welcome to Switzerland, bienvenue à Genève ," he wrote, also sharing an image from the meeting room.
Outside the UN building and the negotiation hotel, dozens of pro-Ukrainian protesters have gathered, holding Ukrainian flags and banners reading "Peace in Ukraine," demanding a just and lasting solution.
Expectations for major progress remain low: the parties continue to hold distant positions, especially on the issue of territory (the lands occupied by Russia), security guarantees, and the role of Western forces after a possible agreement.
The US, under the Trump administration, has set a June deadline for reaching an agreement, putting pressure on Kiev to be flexible. The talks are expected to last two days (February 17–18).
Meanwhile, the fighting on the ground continues: Russia has launched massive drone and missile attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure even during the night before the meeting. This round comes just before the fourth anniversary of the full Russian invasion (February 24, 2022) and is seen as a last chance for de-escalation before the pressure increases even further.
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