Trump puts fate of world’s top conflicts in hands of 2 men

Russia and Ukraine have exchanged the bodies of soldiers killed in the ongoing conflict, with Russia handing over the remains of 1,000 soldiers to Ukraine and receiving 35 Russian bodies in return. The exchange follows an agreement reached in Istanbul in June 2025, aiming to return thousands of bodies and prisoners of war. This exchange occurred as Ukrainian negotiators met with US envoys in Geneva to discuss Ukraine's post-war economic reconstruction, and as preparations were underway for a third round of US-led talks involving Russia to end the conflict. While both sides regularly publish estimates of the other's losses, the BBC has confirmed nearly 186,000 Russian deaths, and Russia has returned more bodies to Ukraine than it has received, despite higher estimated Russian casualties.

On February 26, 2026, Russia launched missile and drone attacks across Ukraine, including Kyiv, Kharkiv, Zaporizhia, and Dnipropetrovsk, wounding at least eight people. These attacks damaged residential buildings and infrastructure, prompting air defense activation. The strikes occurred before a scheduled meeting in Geneva between Ukrainian negotiator Rustem Umerov and US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. The Geneva meeting is intended to pave the way for a larger negotiation session in early March involving Moscow, Kyiv, and Washington, aimed at resolving the ongoing conflict, now in its fifth year. Kyiv hopes these talks will lead to a direct meeting between Russian and Ukrainian leaders.

In February 2026, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy spoke with U.S. President Donald Trump regarding ongoing peace negotiations with Russia. The conversation, which included U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, preceded a meeting between U.S. and Ukrainian officials in Geneva. Discussions covered topics for the Geneva meeting, preparations for trilateral talks with Russian officials expected in early March, and a potential prisoner swap. Zelenskyy hopes the upcoming trilateral meeting will facilitate leaders-level talks with Russia to resolve complex issues and end the war. Separately, Russian economic envoy Kirill Dmitriev will also be in Geneva to meet with U.S. negotiators on economic issues.

US President Donald Trump has tasked Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff with resolving the war in Ukraine and the US stand-off with Iran. On Thursday, Kushner and Witkoff met with Iranian officials in Geneva, Switzerland, to discuss Tehran’s nuclear program. They then met separately with Ukrainian and Russian envoys to address the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Prior to this, the pair participated in the inaugural meeting of the "Board of Peace" regarding the ceasefire between Hamas and Israel. Trump's reliance on trusted associates for these critical diplomatic missions highlights his preference for a small circle of advisors over traditional government channels. The move underscores the tension in Trump’s diplomatic strategy and raises questions about the capacity of two individuals to manage such complex global issues.

Negotiators from Ukraine and Russia met in Geneva on Tuesday for US-mediated peace talks aimed at resolving the ongoing conflict. The talks, following two prior rounds in Abu Dhabi, are focused on security and humanitarian issues. US President Donald Trump is urging both sides to reach a swift agreement, though Ukraine's President Zelensky has expressed concerns about pressure to make concessions. Despite ongoing discussions, including military representatives, a breakthrough has yet to be achieved. The meeting occurred against a backdrop of renewed Russian air strikes across Ukraine, including significant damage to Odesa's power network.

Ukrainian and Russian officials met in Switzerland on Tuesday for U.S.-brokered peace talks, the third such meeting in recent weeks. Expectations for a breakthrough were low, as previous discussions in the United Arab Emirates yielded minimal progress beyond a prisoner exchange. The core issues of contention remain unresolved, including the status of Ukrainian territory in the east, which Russia seeks to control, and Western security guarantees for Ukraine. Ukrainian President Zelensky has warned against ceding territory and urged progress on security guarantees. The U.S. delegation is led by Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, while Russia is represented by Vladimir Medinsky, among others. The talks, scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday in Geneva, also include separate negotiations focused on Iran.

Russian and Ukrainian officials began a third round of US-brokered peace talks in Geneva on Tuesday, ahead of the war's fourth anniversary. The negotiations, led by Rustem Umerov for Ukraine, will address security and humanitarian issues. Despite the talks, Russia launched heavy air strikes across Ukraine, damaging infrastructure and leaving many without essential services. Ukraine's President Zelenskyy urged allies to increase pressure on Russia for a "real and just" peace deal. The US President Trump has pushed for a deal, stating Ukraine needs to come to the table quickly. Russia is demanding Ukraine cede the remaining 20 percent of the eastern region of Donetsk, which Ukraine refuses to do.

On day 1,454 of the Russia-Ukraine war, February 17, 2026, Ukraine claimed to have recaptured 201 sq km of territory, exploiting a Starlink outage affecting Russian forces. Ukraine anticipates further Russian attacks on its energy infrastructure, complicating peace negotiations. Overnight, Russia launched 62 strike drones and six missiles, while Russia claimed to have downed 345 Ukrainian drones and captured two settlements, Pokrovka and Minkivka. A fire, reportedly caused by a Ukrainian drone attack, damaged the Black Sea port of Taman in Russia. Ukraine has received 4.4 million rounds of ammunition through a Czech-led initiative. Ceasefire talks are scheduled in Geneva between Ukrainian, US, and Russian delegations, with Russia aiming to discuss a broader range of issues, including territory.

Russian army chief Valery Gerasimov visited troops in Ukraine and announced that Russian forces had seized 12 villages in eastern Ukraine during the first two weeks of February 2026. The announcement, made by the defense ministry, comes ahead of US-mediated talks in Geneva aimed at ending the nearly four-year war. Gerasimov noted the advances occurred despite severe winter conditions. While the pace of Russia's advance has increased since autumn, they have yet to achieve their goal of capturing the entire Donetsk region. Russia is demanding Kyiv withdraw from Donetsk as a condition for ending the conflict, a demand Ukraine rejects.

While U.S.-backed negotiations between Russia and Ukraine in Geneva stalled, Ukraine achieved its fastest territorial gains in years along the southeastern front near Zaporizhzhia. Over five days, Ukrainian forces retook approximately 78 square miles, exploiting reported disruptions in Russian battlefield communications and command-and-control. Analysts at the Institute for the Study of War suggest Ukraine is leveraging limitations affecting Russian connectivity, creating opportunities for localized counterattacks around Huliaipole. Despite these advances, experts caution that the front remains fluid and the gains do not indicate a collapse in Russian defenses. The fighting has centered east of Zaporizhzhia, where Russian forces have steadily advanced since mid-2025.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy dismissed Vladimir Putin's historical arguments as a "delay tactic" in peace negotiations, urging a focus on ending the war. Zelenskyy stated that debating history would only prolong the process and that the only relevant discussion is how to achieve a swift resolution. His comments followed talks in Switzerland between Ukrainian, U.S., and Russian officials, which Zelenskyy suggested yielded limited progress, particularly on sensitive political matters. NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte questioned Russia's seriousness about negotiations, noting the presence of Vladimir Medinsky, known for emphasizing historical narratives. Medinsky described the talks as "difficult but businesslike."

Russia launched missile and drone attacks on Ukrainian cities overnight amid stalled peace talks. Ukrainian President Zelensky stated that Russia is hesitant to engage in another round of US-brokered negotiations, proposed to be held in Miami or Abu Dhabi next week. While Ukraine has confirmed its attendance, the Kremlin indicated that talks are expected "soon" without providing specifics. These developments occur as a US-led peace effort faces a June deadline, with disagreements over occupied territories in the Donbas region and Russian demands for further territorial concessions hindering a comprehensive settlement after four years of conflict.

On Thursday, February 12, 2026, Russia launched a barrage of missiles and drones at Ukrainian cities. This occurred as the possibility of another round of US-brokered peace talks between Russia and Ukraine remained uncertain. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine had agreed to attend proposed negotiations in either Miami or Abu Dhabi, but Russia was hesitant. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov indicated that talks were expected "soon" without providing specifics. The US government has not commented on the potential for further negotiations, which are part of an ongoing peace effort. Zelenskyy previously stated that the US has set a June deadline for a deal between the two countries.

On day 1,445 of the Russia-Ukraine war, February 8, 2026, Russia launched over 400 drones and 40 missiles targeting Ukraine's power grid, hitting thermal power stations and distribution lines, leaving over 1,000 apartment buildings in Kyiv without heating. Poland briefly suspended operations at two airports near the Ukrainian border due to the strikes. Ukraine retaliated by striking an oil depot in Russia's Saratov region, a missile fuel component plant in the Tver region, and the Bryansk region, causing damage and power disruptions. Russia claimed to have captured the village of Chuhunivka in Ukraine's Kharkiv region. The International Atomic Energy Agency reported that Ukrainian nuclear power plants reduced output due to the military activity affecting electrical substations.

Russian and Ukrainian envoys will meet in Geneva next week, February 17-18, for US-brokered talks aimed at finding a resolution to the ongoing war. This round of negotiations follows two previous meetings in Abu Dhabi and comes as the conflict approaches its fourth year. The primary sticking point remains the future of the Donbas region, with Russia demanding Ukraine withdraw from the portion of Donetsk it still controls. Ukraine seeks Western security guarantees to prevent future Russian offensives. The US has reportedly given both sides a June deadline to reach an agreement. The conflict, which began in 2022, has resulted in hundreds of thousands of military and civilian casualties.

Ukrainian and Russian officials concluded the first day of US-brokered peace talks in Abu Dhabi, described as "productive" by Kyiv's lead negotiator. The trilateral meetings, involving US special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, aim to find concrete steps and practical solutions to the ongoing conflict. The talks occurred amidst continued fighting, including a Russian strike on a market in eastern Ukraine that resulted in casualties. Rustem Umerov, head of Ukraine's National Security and Defence Council, stated the work was substantive and would prepare a report for President Zelensky. Discussions are expected to continue on Thursday.

Russian, Ukrainian, and U.S. negotiators are meeting in the United Arab Emirates for a second round of peace talks, following a large Russian attack on Ukraine's power grid. The talks, a push by President Trump to end the nearly four-year war, aim to address key sticking points: the status of Ukrainian territory Russia seeks and security guarantees for Ukraine. Russia demands Ukraine cede both seized territory and the remaining Ukrainian-controlled portion of the Donetsk region, which Ukraine rejects. Despite the ongoing conflict and disagreements, the talks represent the most public sign of progress. Prior to the talks, U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff met with Kremlin envoy Kirill Dmitriev in Florida. The talks were postponed to allow Witkoff to attend a wedding.

According to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the US has set a June deadline for Ukraine and Russia to reach a peace agreement to end their nearly four-year war. Zelenskyy stated that the US is likely to put pressure on both parties to meet this timeline. The Trump administration has also proposed a new round of trilateral talks in Miami next week, which Ukraine has confirmed it will attend. These developments follow US-mediated talks in Abu Dhabi that yielded little progress, with Russia demanding Ukraine withdraw from the Donbas region, a condition Kyiv rejects. Despite the lack of a breakthrough, both sides recently agreed to exchange 157 prisoners of war each, and Zelenskyy indicated that prisoner swaps will continue.

On Tuesday, Russia launched a large-scale missile attack on Ukraine's energy infrastructure, targeting eight regions including Kyiv and Kharkiv, injuring five and damaging a residential building. The attack involved over 70 missiles and 450 drones, according to Ukrainian President Zelenskyy. The strikes occurred one day before planned peace talks between Ukraine, Russia, and the U.S. in Abu Dhabi. Zelenskyy stated the attack was timed to coincide with freezing temperatures, aiming to deprive civilians of heating and electricity. Despite a proposed pause in attacks suggested by the U.S., Russia resumed strikes prior to the pause's expiration, hitting civilian targets. Zelenskyy said the upcoming peace talks would be adjusted in light of the recent attacks.

Russia launched a large-scale drone and missile attack on Ukraine, targeting its energy grid and leaving hundreds of thousands without heating during freezing temperatures. The strikes occurred on Tuesday, coinciding with Ukraine experiencing its coldest weather since the Russian invasion began and damaging a WWII monument. The attack took place a day before scheduled peace talks between Ukrainian and Russian negotiators in Abu Dhabi. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the attack, accusing Russia of prioritizing terror over diplomacy. The attack also coincided with a surprise visit to Kyiv by NATO chief Mark Rutte, who met with Zelensky.

On February 1, 2026, a Russian drone strike in the Dnipropetrovsk region of east-central Ukraine killed 12 miners and injured 16. The miners were traveling on a bus after finishing their shift at a DTEK-operated coal mine. The strike was part of a larger Russian attack on Ukrainian mining operations, a critical hub for heating during a winter freeze. The attack occurred despite a partial truce requested by President Trump and planned peace talks in the United Arab Emirates. Russia's ongoing attacks have devastated Ukraine's power grid this winter, leaving many without heat and power, even after a previously agreed upon pause in attacks.

Following a week-long pause requested by US President Trump, Russia has resumed attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure, causing widespread damage and leaving many without power and heating as temperatures plummet. UK Prime Minister Starmer condemned the attacks as "barbaric." The strikes have severely damaged facilities, including a power plant in Kharkiv and Kyiv's Darnytsia CHP plant, leaving over 1,000 tower blocks in Kyiv without heating. Residents are seeking shelter in metro stations and communal heating centers. US envoys are meeting with Ukrainian and Russian negotiators in Abu Dhabi to discuss a peace plan, but Russia has so far refused calls for a ceasefire. Ukraine's Energy Minister has described the energy situation as "difficult" and expects repairs to take time.

US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff held "productive" talks with Russian Special Envoy Kirill Dmitriev in Florida regarding the war in Ukraine. The meeting, attended by other US officials, occurred ahead of a second round of US-mediated negotiations between Ukrainian and Russian negotiators in Abu Dhabi. These talks aim to advance a US-backed plan to end the nearly four-year conflict. This follows the first direct public negotiations between Moscow and Kyiv since the war's early stages, also mediated by the US in Abu Dhabi. President Trump stated progress is being made toward a deal, and Russia agreed to pause attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure during extreme winter conditions following a request from Trump.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy is cautiously awaiting confirmation of a potential pause in Russian strikes on Ukrainian cities and energy infrastructure amid extreme cold weather. Donald Trump claimed Putin agreed to halt strikes for a week after a personal appeal, but the Kremlin neither confirmed nor denied this. Zelenskyy stated there's no formal ceasefire agreement, but Ukraine would reciprocate if Russia ceased attacks. While there was a noticeable reduction in overnight attacks, Ukraine reported 111 strike drones and one ballistic missile launched by Russia. The ceasefire proposal originated during trilateral talks in Abu Dhabi, where Ukrainian and Russian officials are scheduled to meet for further discussions, though rising US-Iran tensions may affect the timing.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has invited Russian President Vladimir Putin to meet for talks in Kyiv, stating he would not meet in Moscow or Belarus. This comes after the Kremlin said they invited Zelenskyy to Moscow for talks but received no response. Negotiations between Ukraine and Russia, mediated by the US, took place in Abu Dhabi last week, with another meeting scheduled for Sunday, although the date and location may change. These discussions are happening amidst the ongoing conflict, with Zelenskyy seeking to inflict heavy losses on Russian forces. US President Trump stated that Putin agreed to pause attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure for a week due to extreme cold weather.

Amid ongoing talks between Ukrainian, Russian, US, and Emirati officials, Ukrainians express skepticism about a near-term end to the war with Russia. The talks, held in Abu Dhabi, are viewed as a potential first step toward peace, but many Ukrainians are weary after nearly four years of conflict. Russia's continued attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure have caused widespread power outages during a harsh winter, exacerbating war fatigue. A former advisor to President Zelenskyy believes the war will only end when Russia decides to stop or is forced to do so, neither of which he sees as likely before spring. Despite exhaustion, Ukrainians have shown resilience and adaptability throughout the conflict.