Special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, son-in-law of U.S. President Donald Trump, will head the American delegation in Geneva, Switzerland, for high-level negotiations on Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine and Iran’s nuclear program, Baltimore Chronicle, via ABC.
The Ukraine talks will follow a trilateral format including U.S., Ukrainian, and Russian representatives, marking the third round after previous sessions in the United Arab Emirates. Earlier discussions were described as constructive but failed to resolve critical issues such as the status of Ukraine’s partially-occupied Donbas region, the future of the Russian-held Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant, and potential Western security guarantees for Kyiv.
Ahead of the Geneva discussions, President Trump emphasized Ukraine’s role in advancing negotiations, stating that Kyiv should “come to the table fast,” while signaling that the U.S. and Russia are “in a position” to reach an agreement.
Army Secretary Dan Driscoll and General Alexus Grynkewich, the top U.S. commander in Europe and NATO’s senior military officer, are also participating in the talks, which are scheduled to continue through Tuesday and Wednesday, according to the Kremlin. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted that Kyiv’s negotiators have already arrived in Switzerland and warned that Moscow is preparing fresh long-range attacks despite diplomatic efforts.
Ukraine’s air force reported a major Russian strike overnight on Tuesday, involving 396 drones and 29 missiles. Ukrainian defenses intercepted 367 drones and 25 missiles, while four missiles and 18 drones hit 13 locations, causing casualties and infrastructure damage. Twelve regions were targeted, including the southern port city of Odesa, leaving tens of thousands without heat or water. At least nine people, including children, were injured, Zelenskyy said.
NATO responded by scrambling aircraft and placing air defenses on alert, while Poland’s Armed Forces Operational Command confirmed that no airspace violations occurred. Russia stated that its forces shot down at least 151 Ukrainian drones overnight.
Simultaneously, U.S. representatives are participating in talks over Iran’s nuclear program, mediated by Oman, which has traditionally served as a conduit for U.S.-Iran negotiations. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in Geneva on Monday to meet with International Atomic Energy Agency chief Rafael Grossi and Omani Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi.
Araghchi emphasized that Iran is pursuing a “fair and equitable deal” while rejecting negotiations under threat. President Trump indicated that he would be “indirectly” involved in the discussions, stressing that Iran is a “very tough negotiator.” U.S. officials have demanded that Iran cease all nuclear enrichment, restrict its ballistic missile program, and halt support for regional proxies—demands repeatedly rejected by Tehran.
The talks come amid a U.S. military buildup in the Middle East and warnings from Tehran that Iranian forces would retaliate against U.S. and Israeli targets if attacked. The Geneva discussions also follow a nationwide uprising in Iran last month, initially triggered by worsening economic conditions. Security forces violently suppressed the protests, reportedly killing at least 7,000 people, according to the U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA).
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