Ukraine Peace Talks Intensify in Geneva Amid Iran Nuclear Negotiations

Geneva became a focal point for international diplomacy on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, as negotiations aimed at ending the war in Ukraine coincided with discussions regarding Iran’s nuclear program. The presence of high-level delegations from the United States, Ukraine, and Russia transformed the Swiss city into a hub of diplomatic activity, conducted under strict confidentiality.

A Day of Intense Negotiations

American diplomats engaged in a day of intense negotiations, participating in both the Ukraine peace talks and the discussions concerning the Iranian nuclear program. The Intercontinental hotel served as a primary venue for the Ukraine negotiations, although the residence of the ambassador of Oman hosted talks with Iranian representatives in the Cologny district.

Protests and Demonstrations

The Iranian delegation’s departure was met with protests, as demonstrators chanted “terrorists” and threw objects, prompting police intervention. Protesters voiced outrage over human rights concerns, specifically the reported deaths of protesters in Iran. One protester, Hossein, a Swiss resident of Iranian origin, stated, “They are killing children, they are killing teenagers by the thousands. Why do they continue negotiating with terrorists?” and called for a regime change.

Outside the United Nations, approximately 200 demonstrators protested against the repression of protests in Iran, carrying banners with slogans such as “No negotiations with murderers.” Around 100 pro-Ukraine activists also gathered, calling for an end to the Russian invasion with slogans like “Stop killing Ukrainians!” and “Save Ukraine to preserve peace in Europe.”

Perspectives from Observers

Alexandre Plautard, an international relations student, described the event as a historic moment, expressing his intention to keep the world aware of Ukraine’s situation. He believes Russian representatives “have no interest in peace.” Marianne, a Ukrainian citizen who arrived in Geneva in 2022, conveyed a sense of desperation, stating, “We are desperate. We don’t really believe them, but we hope for changes. We don’t want to be too positive so as not to be disappointed.”

Key Players and Previous Engagements

The U.S. Delegation to the Ukraine talks included Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, President Trump’s son-in-law. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky spoke with Witkoff and Kushner on Saturday ahead of the Geneva talks. Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner previously met with Russian President Vladimir Putin for nearly five hours in December 2025, though those talks ended with Russia stating that some American proposals were “unacceptable.”

Witkoff has engaged in similar peace talks with Putin on numerous occasions, and this marked Kushner’s first time joining him.

(With information from AFP)