U.S.-Ukraine Strategic Talks Advance

In a significant diplomatic engagement, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and U.S. President Donald Trump conducted a pivotal phone conversation on February 25, 2026. The discussion, detailed on the Ukrainian Presidential website, also saw the participation of key U.S. envoys, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.

During the call, President Zelenskyy expressed appreciation for the ongoing efforts and active participation of both Ukrainian and U.S. negotiators aimed at resolving the conflict. He highlighted the critical support the U.S. has provided through the PURL initiative, particularly noting the significance of air defense systems that have been instrumental in safeguarding Ukrainian lives during a notably harsh winter.

The leaders also previewed the agenda for an upcoming bilateral meeting set for February 26 in Geneva, which will further address pertinent issues and set the stage for a larger trilateral negotiation in early March. President Zelenskyy emphasized the importance of elevating these discussions to the leaders’ level to effectively tackle complex and sensitive matters, a move supported by President Trump who reiterated the necessity of this strategic approach to conclusively end the conflict.