Zelenskyy dismisses Putin’s 'historical s---' in peace talks as ‘delay tactic,’ urges focus on ending the war

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.

Peace talks between Russia, Ukraine, and the US in Geneva this week concluded without a breakthrough. The meetings, aimed at resolving the ongoing war in Ukraine, were described as "difficult" by both Russian and Ukrainian representatives due to disagreements on territory and ceasefire terms. While a US envoy expressed initial optimism, key issues remain unresolved after four years of conflict. Despite the challenges, both sides indicated the discussions were "businesslike" and "substantive," with a potential future meeting planned. Ukrainian President Zelensky accused Russia of prolonging negotiations, while also suggesting a possible prisoner exchange. The US has signaled impatience with the deadlock, urging Ukraine to compromise, a sentiment Zelensky has rejected.

In an interview with Axios published on Tuesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed concern over what he perceives as undue pressure from former US President Donald Trump to resolve the ongoing conflict with Russia. Zelensky stated that Trump has been publicly calling on Ukraine, rather than Russia, to make concessions in peace negotiations. He added that any peace plan requiring Ukraine to cede territory in the Donbas region not currently occupied by Russia would be rejected in a referendum. Zelensky voiced hope that Trump's stance was merely a negotiating tactic. Trump recently stated that Ukraine needs to quickly come to the table for negotiations to be successful. The interview was conducted as Russian, Ukrainian, and US negotiators held talks in Geneva.

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.

In February 2026, Russia intensified its air assaults on Ukraine, coinciding with visits from Western officials. These attacks, involving drones and missiles, targeted energy infrastructure across the country, causing widespread power outages and forcing a nuclear power plant to shut down. Ukrainian air defenses managed to intercept a significant portion of the incoming weapons. The strikes have resulted in civilian casualties, including the deaths of children in Bohodukhiv and elsewhere. Russia's actions are seen as an attempt to weaken Ukraine's defenses and punish its growing ties with the West. Emergency crews are working to restore power and heat amidst freezing temperatures.

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.

As Ukraine prepares for upcoming peace talks, Ukrainian officials report increased pressure from the Trump administration to make concessions to Russia, aiming to end the war by early summer. President Zelensky expressed frustration that the U.S. is pressing Ukraine harder than Russia, but acknowledges the need to maintain American engagement, especially with the approaching midterm elections potentially shifting U.S. focus. Zelensky stated that the U.S. desires to halt the war by June, and that the Trump administration was "likely to put pressure on the parties according to that timeline.” Ukraine is sending a delegation to Florida for talks next week, though Russian participation is uncertain. The U.S. strategy remains unclear if Ukraine doesn't concede on issues like territory and elections.

Russia and Ukraine concluded US-brokered negotiations in the United Arab Emirates, agreeing to a prisoner exchange of 314 total prisoners of war. The exchange, involving 157 prisoners from each side, marks the first such agreement in several months, with the last one occurring in October 2025. US special envoy Steve Witkoff confirmed the deal, emphasizing the positive results of sustained diplomatic engagement. Russian negotiator Kirill Dmitriev noted progress and ongoing efforts to restore relations with the US, while criticizing European interference. The negotiations, which included a US-Russia working group on the economy, follow previous talks in late January that made little progress on territorial disputes.

Negotiators from Russia and Ukraine held a second day of US-brokered peace talks in Abu Dhabi on Thursday, February 5, 2026. The discussions aimed to find a resolution to the ongoing war. These talks occurred amidst increased Russian attacks on Ukraine’s power grid and a rise in civilian casualties. The recent Russian attack on a thermal power plant in Kyiv was described by Latvia’s Ambassador to Ukraine as a "war crime" and "genocidal" act. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy spoke as the negotiations took place.

According to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the U.S. 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 U.S. is likely to pressure both countries to meet this schedule, potentially hosting trilateral talks in Miami next week. President Trump expressed optimism about the talks, and the U.S. described recent discussions in Abu Dhabi as "constructive," noting an agreement for a prisoner swap involving 157 prisoners from each side. The U.S. and Russia have also agreed to establish a new military-to-military communication channel led by General Alexus Grynkewich. The goal of these efforts is to create conditions for a lasting peace.

In February 2026, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed that 55,000 Ukrainian soldiers have been killed in the war against Russia. He also stated that a large number of soldiers are considered missing. Zelenskyy's statement was made before the fourth anniversary of Russia's invasion and during ceasefire talks in Abu Dhabi aimed at resolving the conflict. A Kremlin spokesperson stated that Russian forces would continue fighting until Kyiv makes the necessary decisions to end the war. The UN reported over 2,500 civilian deaths in Ukraine in 2025 due to Russian attacks.

On Saturday, February 7, 2026, Russia launched a large-scale attack on Ukraine's energy infrastructure, including high-voltage transmission lines, power plants, and substations, causing widespread emergency outages. The strikes, involving hundreds of drones and dozens of missiles, prompted Ukraine to request emergency electricity assistance from Poland. According to Ukraine's energy minister, the attacks forced nuclear power plant operators to reduce or shut down reactor output as a precaution. These strikes are the latest in a series targeting Ukrainian energy infrastructure during the winter. The attacks occurred shortly after peace talks showed little progress, with the next round of negotiations scheduled for mid-February in Miami, involving delegations from Ukraine, Russia, and the United States.

A Russian drone strike on a bus in the Dnipropetrovsk region of southeastern Ukraine killed at least 12 miners on Sunday, according to Ukrainian officials. The attack, which targeted energy workers finishing their shift, occurred hours after President Zelensky announced new peace talks scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday in Abu Dhabi. These US-backed talks follow a previous round in late January that failed to resolve territorial disputes. The announcement comes amid ongoing Russian air strikes that have severely damaged Ukraine's energy infrastructure during the winter. While the Kremlin had reportedly agreed to halt strikes on energy infrastructure until Sunday at the request of US President Donald Trump, the drone strike suggests this agreement was not upheld.

Over 1,000 residential buildings in Kyiv were without heating after a Russian air attack during one of the coldest nights of the winter, with temperatures falling to -20C. The Kremlin launched 450 drones and over 70 missiles across Ukraine, causing damage in five districts and injuring at least nine people. The attacks occurred overnight, prompting an air raid alert that remained in effect for over five hours. Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy criticized the attacks as a demonstration of Russia's disinterest in peace talks, scheduled to take place in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday and Thursday. The attack also damaged facilities used to heat water for distribution to homes, leaving hundreds of thousands of families without heating during extreme cold conditions.

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.

Talks between Russian, Ukrainian, and American officials aimed at ending the war in Ukraine are scheduled to continue next week. The announcement follows face-to-face negotiations held in Abu Dhabi last weekend, the first such meeting between Ukraine and Russia since June. While both Ukrainian and Russian officials expressed some optimism after the talks, a Kremlin spokesman gave little indication that Russia was ready to compromise on its aims in Ukraine. A major point of contention remains control of territory in eastern Ukraine, with Russia insisting on terms it claims were previously agreed to by the U.S. president. The ongoing negotiations also involve discussions about American involvement in postwar security guarantees for Ukraine.

U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff held "productive and constructive meetings" with Russian envoy Kirill Dmitriev in Florida on Saturday as part of the Trump administration's effort to end the Russia-Ukraine war. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Jared Kushner, and Josh Gruenbaum also attended the meetings. Witkoff, Kushner, and Gruenbaum previously met with Putin in Moscow and then with negotiators from Ukraine and Russia, with Zelenskyy describing the talks as constructive. Trump stated that Putin agreed to halt strikes on Kyiv for one week due to the extreme cold. Witkoff expressed optimism that Russia is working toward peace in Ukraine and that a peace deal is expected soon.

Ukraine is bracing for severe winter weather as President Trump announced that Russia's Putin agreed to halt attacks on Ukraine's power grid. Trump stated Putin agreed to his request to pause targeting Kyiv and other towns for one week due to the frigid temperatures causing hardship for civilians. However, Trump did not specify when the call with Putin occurred or when the moratorium would begin, and the White House has not provided further clarification. The Kremlin has not confirmed Putin's commitment. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy expressed skepticism about Russia's willingness to end the war, which is approaching its fourth anniversary next month.

Russian President Vladimir Putin met with US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner late Thursday to discuss a potential settlement in Ukraine. The Kremlin emphasized that resolving the territorial issue, specifically Ukraine's withdrawal from annexed eastern regions, is crucial for any long-term peace agreement. The meeting, which lasted past 3 a.m. Friday, occurred shortly after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky criticized European allies' slow response to the Russian invasion. Despite the territorial disagreements, Russian, Ukrainian, and US officials agreed to hold security talks in the United Arab Emirates on Friday regarding a prospective peace deal. Zelensky stated that peace proposals are nearly ready, but the status of Russian-occupied land remains unresolved.

In Davos, Switzerland, US and Russian envoys met at the World Economic Forum on January 21, 2026, amid the postponement of an $800 billion Ukraine reconstruction plan. US special envoy Steve Witkoff, along with Jared Kushner, met with Russian special envoy Kirill Dmitriev for over two hours. Witkoff confirmed plans to meet with both President Putin and the Ukrainian delegation in Moscow on Thursday. The Kremlin acknowledged the scheduled meeting with Putin. The signing of the "prosperity plan," involving Ukraine, Europe, and the US, was delayed due to tensions within NATO over President Trump's interest in acquiring Greenland, according to the Financial Times. The plan has not been shelved indefinitely and could be signed at a later date.

Russia, Ukraine, and the United States are reportedly holding peace talks in Abu Dhabi. The timing of these discussions is considered significant. The article includes images from January 2026, showing Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Davos, Switzerland, and meetings in Moscow involving U.S. President Donald Trump's envoys, Kremlin foreign policy advisor Yuri Ushakov, and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Another image shows Putin visiting the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology. The article highlights the occurrence of these talks amidst an important juncture in the ongoing conflict.

Ukrainian drone strikes damaged energy networks in Russia-occupied southern Ukraine on Sunday, leaving over 200,000 households, across nearly 400 settlements in the Zaporizhzhia region, without power. Kremlin-installed authorities reported the damage. Simultaneously, Russia continued its attacks on Ukraine's energy grid overnight, resulting in at least two deaths and several injuries across multiple regions, including Odesa and Dnipropetrovsk. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy stated that Russia used over 1,300 attack drones, 1,050 guided aerial bombs, and 29 missiles this week. A Ukrainian delegation arrived in the United States for talks on a U.S.-led diplomatic effort to end the war, focusing on postwar security guarantees and economic recovery.

On day 1,424 of the Russia-Ukraine war, January 18, 2026, fighting continued with both sides claiming battlefield gains. Ukraine's military estimated significant Russian personnel and equipment losses since the February 2022 invasion. Russia's Defence Ministry reported capturing Pryvillya and Pryluky, while claiming to have inflicted heavy losses on Ukrainian forces and downed numerous drones and missiles. Russia also stated it targeted Ukrainian energy and transportation infrastructure across 167 locations. Ukraine reported Russian strikes on energy infrastructure in the Kyiv and Odesa regions, leaving over 20 settlements in the Kyiv area without power. Kharkiv's mayor stated the city's energy system was strained due to constant attacks.

Ukraine condemned recent Russian strikes that killed one and injured 23 others, coinciding with ongoing peace talks between Ukraine, Russia, and the US in Abu Dhabi. The strikes, which targeted Kyiv and Kharkiv, damaged critical infrastructure and residential areas, including a maternity hospital and a hostel. Ukrainian officials described the attacks as "brutal" and proof that Putin is not interested in peace. The talks, the first trilateral discussions since Russia's 2022 invasion, have reportedly made some progress, but territorial disputes remain a major obstacle. Russia currently occupies roughly 20% of Ukraine and demands Ukraine cede large areas of territory, which Ukraine refuses to do.