Trump, Zelenskyy Speak By Phone Ahead Of Geneva Talks As Pressure Mounts For Tougher Line On Russia

"We expect this meeting to create an opportunity to move talks to the leaders' level. Trump supports this sequence of steps. A direct leaders' summit is the only way to resolve all the complex and sensitive issues and finally end the war."

"The problem is with the political will to stop this war and the question of territories. While acknowledging the Trump administration's desire for a swift conclusion to the conflict, skepticism exists that lower-level working groups could resolve the most contentious issues."

President Trump and President Zelenskyy spoke by phone on February 25, with both the White House and Kyiv confirming the conversation. The call precedes a February 26 Geneva meeting between Ukraine's Rustem Umerov, US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, and Jared Kushner. Discussions focus on a prosperity package for Ukraine's economic recovery and groundwork for a potential trilateral summit with Russia as early as March. Zelenskyy emphasized that direct leaders-level talks are essential for resolving complex issues and ending the war. However, fundamental gaps remain between the parties, with territorial integrity and political will identified as primary friction points. Zelenskyy expressed skepticism that lower-level working groups alone could resolve the most contentious issues.

Read at RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty