The first day of high-stakes trilateral talks between Ukraine, the United States, and Russia concluded on February 17, 2026, with negotiations set to resume on February 18. The closed-door discussions, described by Ukrainian negotiator Rustem Umerov as focusing on "practical issues and mechanisms of possible solutions," aim to address unresolved territorial disputes, military de-escalation, and security arrangements.
Russia’s delegation, led by presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky, and the US team, represented by presidential envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, engaged in sector-specific working groups following a joint session. Umerov emphasized that outcomes from the first day would be presented to Ukraine’s president for review.
This round follows two prior meetings in Abu Dhabi earlier this year, which failed to resolve core disagreements over ceasefire monitoring and territorial claims. While no breakthroughs have been announced, the continued dialogue signals cautious diplomatic momentum amid heightened regional tensions.
