Translated material
Witkoff and Kushner will meet with Umerov in Geneva on February 26
On Thursday, February 26, a meeting will be held in Geneva between the head of the Ukrainian delegation at peace negotiations with Russia, Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine Rustem Umerov, and special representatives of the US President Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. This was stated by the President of Ukraine Vladimir Zelensky, reports RBC-Ukraine .
As follows from Zelensky’s words, we are talking about a bilateral meeting, without the participation of Russian representatives. The trilateral meeting, according to the Ukrainian president, should take place in early March. Previously, the parties said that it could take place at the end of February, but the exact dates were not given.
The day before, Steve Witkoff stated that he and Kushner would meet with Umerov in Geneva. It was reported that the main purpose of the visit of American representatives would be negotiations with representatives of Iran.
According to Zelensky, at Umerov’s meeting with representatives of Donald Trump, they will mainly talk about the program for the restoration of Ukraine (the so-called “prosperity package”). The parties will also discuss preparations for the meeting with Russia’s participation.
As Witkoff said the day before , the United States still believes in the possibility of organizing a meeting between Vladimir Zelensky and Vladimir Putin. According to him, the main issue of this meeting could be the issue of territories. As Washington has repeatedly emphasized, it remains the main obstacle to a peace agreement: Russia continues to insist on the transfer of uncontrolled territories of Donbass to it. Zelensky also said that the issue of territories can only be resolved at a meeting with Putin. Ukraine insists that it does not recognize the Russian-occupied territories as Russian de jure, but is ready for a ceasefire along the current front line.
This year, three rounds of trilateral negotiations took place - two in Abu Dhabi and one on February 17-18 in Geneva. The parties announced progress, but noted that there were still many unresolved issues. The fighting continues, Russia has refused the ceasefire offer.
Witkoff and Kushner will meet with Umerov in Geneva on February 26