President Donald Trump is aiming to bring the Russia–Ukraine war to a definitive end, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said after meeting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference.
In a post on X, Rubio said he discussed Ukraine’s security situation and bilateral cooperation with Zelenskyy, adding that Trump “wants a solution that ends the bloodshed once and for all.”
The diplomatic engagement comes ahead of a planned trilateral meeting involving Ukraine, Russia, and the United States scheduled for February 17–18 in Geneva, where negotiators are expected to explore potential pathways toward de-escalation.
Zelenskyy said he briefed Rubio on battlefield conditions, Russian strikes, and the damage inflicted on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. “We discussed how to help Ukraine protect lives during the winter cold and strengthen our resilience,” he wrote, stressing that productive talks in Geneva would be “crucial,” particularly on security guarantees and economic recovery. He also thanked Washington for what he described as consistent and constructive support.
Separately, the Ukrainian leader revealed he had spoken with Trump’s envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner about expectations for the upcoming negotiations, saying Kyiv’s team would present its position during next week’s discussions. He noted that some diplomatic details could not be discussed publicly but expressed hope the meetings would be “truly productive.”
The latest round of diplomacy follows earlier trilateral talks held in Abu Dhabi in January 2026. According to Russian state outlet TASS, Moscow’s delegation for the Geneva discussions will be led by presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky.
Officials from all sides have indicated that, while major differences remain, the upcoming negotiations are seen as a significant opportunity to test whether renewed diplomacy can move the conflict closer to a negotiated settlement.
