Russians and Americans have been holding secret unofficial talks on Ukraine war in Switzerland for months — Reuters

Russian and American interlocutors have held secret meetings in Switzerland in recent months to unofficially discuss the war in Ukraine, Reuters reported on Thursday, citing three sources with knowledge of the matter.

The meetings were attended by individuals with diplomatic and security experience, though they are not government officials, and it remains unclear whether they were acting on behalf of the Russian and U.S. governments, Reuters noted. The names of the participants have not been disclosed. One source said that at least some of Trump’s advisers were aware of the meetings.

Many details remain unknown, including what was discussed, whether any Ukrainian representatives were present, and when the talks began.

Some meetings reportedly took place during the U.S. transition period — after Donald Trump won the U.S. presidential election on November 5, 2024, but before his inauguration on January 20, 2025. One of the most recent meetings was held in Geneva, coinciding with the Munich Security Conference in Germany from February 14 to 16.

Sources described the talks as a backchannel for negotiations. One suggested that these discussions may have lost relevance in recent weeks, as U.S. and Russian officials have now established formal contacts.

The White House, Russia’s Foreign Ministry, and the Ukrainian government did not respond to Reuters’ requests for comment.