Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Wednesday that Kyiv and senior U.S. officials had reached agreement on the essential elements of a post-war reconstruction plan, a central part of broader efforts to secure a settlement to the nearly four-year conflict with Russia. The talks took place as diplomatic activity intensifies around a possible framework to end the war, including discussions on security guarantees and lingering disputes over territory.
Key Developments
Zelenskiy said the meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and BlackRock CEO Larry Fink focused on what he described as an “economic document” that will underpin Ukraine’s rebuilding efforts. According to Zelenskiy, both sides reached full alignment on the document’s core principles, which he said place security conditions at the center of any future reconstruction. “When there is security, everything else is there too,” he said.
The Ukrainian leader said the talks also moved forward on what he called a “fundamental document” consisting of 20 points aimed at shaping an ultimate settlement to the conflict. Two additional documents being prepared cover security guarantees for Ukraine and detailed economic conditions for recovery. Zelenskiy was accompanied at the talks by Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko, senior government officials and top military figures.
Kushner’s Expanding Diplomatic Role
Kushner has taken on a prominent role in Trump-era efforts to broker peace between Ukraine and Russia. Last week he spent five hours in the Kremlin in talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, followed by a meeting in Florida with a Ukrainian delegation. Kushner previously played a key role in negotiating a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas and has been involved in reconstruction proposals for Gaza. His involvement has added a new diplomatic channel to the emerging discussions around Ukraine’s future.
Economic Priorities
A major focus of the reconstruction discussions is the establishment of a large investment fund dedicated to rebuilding key sectors of Ukraine’s economy, including rare metals — an area of strategic interest to the United States. Svyrydenko, Ukraine’s prime minister, has been central to these efforts, reflecting Kyiv’s hope that international financing can help modernize and stabilize the country once hostilities end.
International Response
The diplomatic momentum has drawn attention across Europe. On Wednesday, the leaders of Britain, France and Germany held a call with Trump to discuss the latest U.S. peace initiatives, describing the moment as critical for shaping the next phase of negotiations. Members of the “Coalition of the Willing,” a group of nations backing Ukraine and led by European Union states, are set to meet on Thursday to coordinate their positions and examine the U.S. proposals.
What’s Next
Negotiations are continuing as Washington, Kyiv and Moscow explore the outlines of a possible settlement. While the reconstruction framework is taking shape, major issues including security guarantees and territorial questions remain unresolved. Still, Zelenskiy said the alignment with U.S. officials offers a foundation for moving forward, even as the broader diplomatic picture remains fluid.
With information from Reuters.