In US-mediated peace talks in Geneva, Ukrainian and Russian negotiators concluded a tense first of two days without signaling a breakthrough on the central issue of territorial sovereignty. While President Zelenskyy expressed a readiness for a “worthy agreement,” he criticized Russia for prioritizing missile strikes over genuine diplomacy, citing recent attacks that killed several civilians. The Trump administration has increased pressure on Kyiv to “come to the table fast,” even as Russia demands full control of the eastern Donetsk region as a precondition for any deal. Conversely, Ukraine continues to reject such concessions, bolstered by recent tactical gains on the battlefield and mounting economic strain within Russia due to stagnating oil revenues.
Date: February 17, 2026. Source: france24.com