After Geneva Talks, US and Ukraine Plan Trilateral Meeting with Russia in Abu Dhabi

Delegations from Ukraine and the US held several hours of talks in Geneva, focusing on economic reconstruction and preparing for the next stage of trilateral talks with Russia. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported that the next meeting in this format will most likely take place in early March in Abu Dhabi, and Kyiv aims to facilitate talks at the leadership level. In statements to the media, Zelenskyy declared readiness to meet with Vladimir Putin while simultaneously rejecting territorial concessions. The Ukrainian side also spoke of the need to finalize arrangements regarding security guarantees. Russia, according to some media reports, emphasized that it does not set a deadline for ending the war, while Kyiv called for stricter sanctions and greater pressure on Moscow. Key Diplomatic Steps: February 25, 2026 — Zelenskyy's Call with Trump; February 26, 2026 — US-Ukraine Talks in Geneva; early March 2026 — Planned Meeting in Abu Dhabi After the collapse of the USSR in 1991, Ukraine regained independence, and its security policy gradually aligned with Euro-Atlantic structures. Since 2014, following the annexation of Crimea and the outbreak of conflict in Donbas, the dispute with Russia has taken on a permanent, armed character and become an axis of geopolitical rivalry in Europe. Diplomatic pressure is unfolding alongside an escalation of attacks. Zelenskyy reported on a nighttime attack using 420 drones and 39 missiles, targeting energy and other critical infrastructure, with reports of casualties and damage in many regions. Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko had earlier reported serious heating problems, which at the peak of the crisis in January affected over 1,000 buildings, although municipal services are successively restoring heat supplies to more consumers. In Russia's Belgorod region, authorities reported serious damage to energy infrastructure and disruptions in electricity, water, and heat supplies, with no immediate comment from the Ukrainian side. Some reports also highlighted humanitarian issues, including talks about prisoners of war and the expectation of their return. 8,1 mld USD — new IMF program Against the backdrop of hostilities, the International Monetary Fund approved a four-year financing program for Ukraine worth $8.1 billion, with an immediate disbursement of $1.5 billion. The instrument is intended to help maintain macroeconomic stability, support reforms, and reduce risks to the balance of payments. The IMF indicated that this program is intended to help cover Ukraine's financing gap, estimated at $136.5 billion for 2026–2029, while authorities in Kyiv estimate the country's long-term reconstruction needs at around $800 billion over a decade. In the background, there were also reports of Hungary blocking some EU instruments and accounts of foreigners being recruited into the Russian army, including – according to Kyiv and a research organization – at least 1,780 people from 36 African countries. Scale of Ukraine: IMF immediate disbursement: 1.5, IMF Program 2026–2029: 8.1, International support package: 136.5, Estimated reconstruction needs (10 years): 800 „They can stop this war.” — Volodymyr Zelenskyy „Noi non abbiamo scadenze, abbiamo obiettivi che stiamo realizzando” (We have no deadlines, we have objectives that we are achieving) — Sergey Lavrov

Perspektywy mediów: Liberal media emphasize sanction pressure on Moscow and the US role in forcing negotiations. Conservative media more often highlight the futility of talks and the need for a stronger European role.