Third round of Russia-Ukraine talks to take place as strikes continue

BBC News - WorldEN 3 min read 100% complete February 17, 2026 at 12:48 PM

AI Summary

medium article 3 min

Russian and Ukrainian delegations are set to meet in Geneva for the latest round of US-brokered talks on Ukraine, a week before the fourth anniversary of Moscow's full-scale invasion. The talks will be mediated by Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, with Ukrainian representatives including National Security Council secretary Rustem Umerov and President Volodymyr Zelensky's chief of staff Kyrylo Budanov. Expectations for a breakthrough remain low, as Russia has not wavered from its maximalist demands for Ukrainian territory. Meanwhile, strikes continue on a nightly basis, with Moscow carrying out a large combined aerial attack on Ukraine earlier in the day, hitting 12 regions and killing at least three people. The US President has urged Ukraine to make concessions, while Ukraine's deputy energy minister announced that at least three energy workers were killed in Monday's overnight attacks.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Slovyansk 30% Andrii Sybiha 40% Dmitry Peskov 40% Kyrylo Budanov 40% Vladimir Medinsky 40% Rustem Umerov 40% Switzerland 40% Donald Trump ×250% Geneva 50% Volodymyr Zelenskyy ×260% Russia ×790% Ukraine ×1295%

Keywords

russia-ukraine conflict 90% negotiations 80% strikes on ukraine 70% maximalist demands 60% power grid damage 50% us-brokered talks 50% energy workers killed 40% air strikes 40%