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

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.

Talks between Russia and Ukraine, mediated by US envoy Steve Witkoff, are ongoing in Geneva, Switzerland. Witkoff stated that the negotiations have made "meaningful progress" towards ending the war. However, hopes for a breakthrough remain low due to Russia's continued demands for Ukrainian territory, specifically the Donbas region. Ukraine insists on robust security guarantees from the West before any agreement can be reached. Ukrainian negotiator Rustem Umerov said the first day focused on practical issues, while Zelensky stated Ukraine is ready to refrain from strikes and seek a worthy agreement, questioning Russia's intentions. These talks represent the third round of trilateral negotiations.

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.

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."

The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) has decided to allow Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete under their own flags at the Milano Cortina Winter Paralympics 2026. This reverses the ban imposed following Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Ukraine's Sports Minister has strongly condemned the decision, calling it "disappointing and outrageous," arguing that these nations' flags should not be present at international sporting events. The IPC's decision follows a vote in September 2025 to lift the partial suspensions of Russia and Belarus. Despite initial bans from international federations, Russia and Belarus won an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport, enabling their participation. Approximately 10 para-athletes from the two nations are expected to participate.

Valerii Zaluzhnyi, the former army chief of Ukraine and now ambassador to the United Kingdom, has revealed a rift between himself and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. In an interview with the Associated Press in London on February 2, 2026, Zaluzhnyi, who is seen as a potential political rival to Zelenskyy, discussed the previously unseen tensions. The article suggests the disagreement may stem from differing views on the direction of the war and potentially, political ambitions. The revelation comes after Zaluzhnyi was removed from his position as army chief in February 2024. The details of the rift and its potential impact on Ukraine's political landscape remain to be seen.

On February 16, 2026, day 1,453 of the Russia-Ukraine war, fighting continued with both sides launching attacks. Russian forces struck multiple regions in Ukraine, including Dnipropetrovsk, Sumy, Zaporizhzhia, and Odesa, causing injuries and damaging infrastructure, leaving some without heat. Ukraine targeted a key oil terminal in the Krasnodar region of Russia, near Crimea, and launched a drone attack on the Russian Black Sea port of Taman, causing damage and fires. Russia claimed to have captured the village of Tsvitkove in the Zaporizhia region, while Ukrainian attacks left areas in the Bryansk region of Russia without heat and electricity. Russian air defenses also downed drones approaching Moscow.

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.

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.

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 February 13, 2026, marking day 1,450 of the Russia-Ukraine war, Russia launched a barrage of missiles and drones targeting Ukrainian cities, including Kyiv, Odesa, and Dnipro, damaging energy infrastructure and residential buildings. The attacks resulted in casualties and left thousands without heating as temperatures dropped. In response, Ukraine reportedly struck an oil refinery in Russia's Komi Republic, causing a fire, and a Ukrainian attack in Russia's Belgorod region left over 220,000 without electricity. Despite the ongoing conflict, Ukraine continues to transport Russian oil to Slovakia and Hungary. The bodies of two Nigerians fighting for Russia were also found.

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.

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.

Ahead of upcoming talks with Russia and the US, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated Ukraine seeks a 20-year security guarantee from the US as a prerequisite for signing a peace deal. Speaking at the Munich Security Summit, Zelenskyy also requested a clear timeline for Ukraine's EU membership. He expressed concern that the US focuses on Ukrainian concessions rather than Russian ones. While US Secretary of State Marco Rubio offered partnership with Europe, it was conditional on climate, migration, and tariff agreements. Zelenskyy revealed the US offered a 15-year guarantee, but Ukraine desires a legally binding 20-year agreement detailing US support for a planned European reassurance force in Ukraine.