Geneva is poised to turn into a central hub for international diplomacy this week, as US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are scheduled to engage in separate negotiations concerning the conflicts in Ukraine and Iran. The dual-track effort, beginning Tuesday, aims to secure limitations on Iran’s nuclear program in the morning and address the ongoing war in Ukraine with Ukrainian and Russian negotiators in the afternoon, with discussions continuing into Wednesday.
The timing and location of these talks underscore the urgency with which the US administration, under President Donald Trump, is pursuing resolutions to these complex geopolitical challenges. While the specific venue remains undisclosed, Switzerland is facilitating the discussions, offering its traditional role as a neutral host for international negotiations. The Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (DFAE) confirmed its support for both sets of talks, stating its readiness to “offer its solid offices to facilitate dialogue between the United States and Iran” and reiterating its availability to support any diplomatic initiative aimed at de-escalation.
The first set of meetings will focus on Iran’s nuclear program. The US seeks to re-establish limitations on the program, a key objective of the Trump administration’s foreign policy. These efforts come after years of strained relations following the US withdrawal from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), commonly known as the Iran nuclear deal, in 2018.
Later Tuesday, Witkoff and Kushner will meet with negotiators from Ukraine and Russia. This follows initial in-person negotiations between Ukrainian and Russian delegations held in Abu Dhabi last Friday and Saturday, driven by a US peace plan. The Ukrainian team was led by Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, alongside Presidential Office chief Kyrylo Budanov, lawmaker David Arakhamia, and Chief of the General Staff Andriy Hnatov. Russia was represented by a delegation headed by Igor Kostyukov, the head of the GRU, Russia’s military intelligence service, with Alexander Zorin, the GRU’s first deputy head for information, also participating, according to investigative outlet Agentstvo.
Whereas, the future involvement of Witkoff and Kushner in subsequent rounds of negotiations is uncertain. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio indicated on January 28, 2026, that the two envoys would not participate in the next round of talks, stating, “[Russia and Ukraine] are going to follow up talks again this week. In that regard, bilateral. There might be a US presence, but it won’t be Steve and Jared.”
The primary obstacle to a peace agreement between Kyiv and Moscow remains the status of Donetsk, according to Rubio. This highlights the complexities involved in reaching a lasting resolution to the conflict, which began with Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The war has resulted in significant casualties and displacement, and has had a profound impact on the geopolitical landscape of Eastern Europe.
Prior to these meetings, Witkoff and Kushner met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in the Kremlin on January 22, 2026, to discuss the latest developments in the conflict. A YouTube video documents this meeting, showing the US envoys engaging in discussions with the Russian leader.
The involvement of Witkoff, President Trump’s special envoy, and Kushner, the president’s son-in-law, in these negotiations has drawn attention, particularly given their backgrounds in business rather than traditional diplomacy. Their presence signals a willingness by the Trump administration to explore unconventional approaches to resolving these international crises.
As these negotiations unfold in Geneva, the international community will be closely watching for signs of progress. The outcome of these talks could have significant implications for regional stability and the broader global order. The next few days will be critical in determining whether a diplomatic solution can be found to these pressing challenges.
What comes next will depend on the outcomes of these initial discussions. Further rounds of negotiations are anticipated, and the role of other international actors, such as the European Union and the United Nations, will likely become more prominent as the process moves forward. The situation remains fluid, and the path to a lasting resolution is far from certain.
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