LONDON — Particular envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner — U.S. President Donald Trump’s son-in-law — will lead American negotiators in Geneva, Switzerland, in high-stakes talks beginning Tuesday concerning Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine and the U.S. standoff with Iran over the latter’s nuclear power program.
The talks on Ukraine will likely be in a trilateral format together with American, Ukrainian and Russian representatives. They’re the third instalment of the trilateral format following two rounds of latest negotiations within the United Arab Emirates.
These talks have been described as constructive by contributors, however appeared to have failed to realize a breakthrough on key contentious factors, such because the destiny of Ukraine’s partially-occupied japanese Donbas area, the way forward for the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear energy plant and proposed Western safety ensures for Kyiv.
Requested what he anticipated forward of talks with Russia and Ukraine in Geneva on Tuesday, Trump on Monday put the onus on Ukraine to “come to the desk quick,” showing to counsel that the U.S. and Russia “are ready” to make a deal.
This file photograph taken on Might 27, 2019 reveals a view of Geneva, Switzerland.
Denis Balibouse/Reuters
“Properly they’re massive talks. It should be very simple,” Trump stated. “Ukraine higher come to the desk quick. That is all I am telling you. We’re ready, we wish them to come back.”
Military Secretary Dan Driscoll and Gen. Alexus Grynkewich — the highest U.S. commander in Europe and NATO’s chief army officer — will even attend the Ukraine-Russian talks in Geneva on Tuesday and Wednesday as a part of the U.S. delegation, an individual acquainted with the upcoming discussions instructed ABC Information.
The Ukraine talks are anticipated to stretch by means of Tuesday and into Wednesday, the Kremlin has stated. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated in a Monday night tackle that Kyiv’s negotiators had already traveled to Switzerland, warning that Moscow was getting ready recent long-range assaults on Ukrainian cities regardless of the continued diplomatic push.
Ukraine’s air drive on Tuesday reported a serious Russian in a single day assault, wherein it stated Moscow launched 396 drones and 29 missiles into the nation. Ukrainian forces downed or suppressed 367 drones and 25 missiles, the air drive stated. 4 missiles and 18 drones impacted throughout 13 areas, the air drive reported.
Secretary Common of the Council of Europe Alain Berset and Ukraine’s Overseas Minister Andrii Sybiha communicate in Independence Sq. in Kyiv, Ukraine, on Feb. 16, 2026.
Alina Smutko/Reuters
“It was a mixed strike, intentionally calculated to trigger as a lot harm as attainable to our power sector,” Zelenskyy wrote in a put up on X. Twelve areas of Ukraine have been focused within the Russian strikes and at the very least 9 individuals, together with kids, have been injured, the Ukrainian president stated.
Among the many targets was the southern port metropolis of Odesa and the broader area, the place “tens of 1000’s of individuals are with out warmth and water provide after the drone strike,” in keeping with Zelenskyy.
Poland’s Armed Forces Operational Command stated NATO plane have been scrambled and air defenses placed on alert as a response to the Russian strikes. “No violations of the Republic of Poland’s airspace by objects that would pose a menace have been recorded,” the command stated on X.
Russia’s Protection Ministry, in the meantime, stated its forces shot down at the very least 151 Ukrainian drones in a single day.
Additionally on Tuesday, U.S. representatives are scheduled to participate in talks over Iran’s nuclear program. The talks will likely be mediated by Oman, historically a conduit for U.S.-Iran exchanges.
Iran’s Overseas Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in Geneva on Monday. Araghchi stated in a put up to X that he would maintain talks with Worldwide Atomic Power Company chief Rafael Grossi and Omani Overseas Minister Badr Albusaidi.
Members of the media arrange gear in entrance of the InterContinental lodge on the day of U.S.-mediated peace talks between Russia and Ukraine in Geneva, Switzerland, on Feb. 17, 2026.
Pierre Albouy/Reuters
“I’m in Geneva with actual concepts to realize a good and equitable deal,” Araghchi wrote. “What is just not on the desk: submission earlier than threats.”
Trump instructed reporters aboard Air Drive One on Monday that he can be “not directly” concerned in Tuesday’s talks with Iran.
“They’re going to be essential,” Trump instructed reporters of the talks. “We’ll see what can occur. Particularly, Iran is a really powerful negotiator.”
Trump has stated the U.S. desires Iran to finish all nuclear enrichment as a part of any deal, whereas American officers have additionally indicated that the U.S. desires constraints on Tehran’s ballistic missile program and its help of regional proxies.
All three calls for have lengthy been U.S. targets, however such proposals have been repeatedly rebuffed by Iranian leaders.
The talks have been preceded by a U.S. army buildup within the Center East, with officers in Tehran warning that Iranian forces will retaliate in opposition to U.S. and Israeli targets if Iran is attacked.
An Iranian girl walks previous an enormous nationwide flag hanging above retailers, in Tehran on Feb. 6, 2026. Iran’s overseas minister met together with his Omani counterpart in Muscat on Feb. 6, forward of Oman-mediated talks with america on the Islamic republic’s nuclear program.
AFP through Getty Photographs
The most recent spherical of talks additionally come within the aftermath of a serious anti-regime rebellion in Iran, wherein protests — initially sparked by the deteriorating financial circumstances contained in the nation — unfold nationwide. Trump provided his help to the demonstrators, telling them to “hold protesting”, saying “assistance is on its means.”
Safety forces violently suppressed the demonstrations, killing at the very least 7,000 individuals in keeping with knowledge revealed by the U.S.-based Human Rights Activists Information Company (HRANA).
ABC Information’ Anne Flaherty, Lalee Ibssa, Joseph Simonetti, Fidel Pavlenko, Natalia Popova and Morgan Winsor contributed to this report.
