LONDON — American, Ukrainian and Russian negotiators are anticipated to convene once more in Geneva, Switzerland, on Wednesday for a second day of trilateral peace talks.
The delegations met Tuesday for the opening classes of the third spherical of U.S.-brokered trilateral talks, the primary two rounds of which had been held within the United Arab Emirates beginning in late January.
In a put up to X, President Donald Trump’s particular envoy Steve Witkoff stated each Ukraine and Russia had agreed to maintain working in direction of a peace deal following Tuesday’s conferences.
“President Trump’s success in bringing either side of this struggle collectively has caused significant progress, and we’re proud to work beneath his management to cease the killing on this horrible battle,” Witkoff wrote.
Protesters maintain placards and Ukrainian flags amid talks between Russian, Ukrainian and U.S. negotiators in Geneva, Switzerland, on Feb. 17, 2026.
Harold Cunningham/AFP by way of Getty Photographs
“Each events agreed to replace their respective leaders and proceed working in direction of a deal,” he added.
Rustem Umerov, the secretary of Ukraine’s Nationwide Safety and Protection Council and the chief of Kyiv’s delegation, stated in a put up to Telegram that contributors on Tuesday “mentioned the outcomes of right now’s spherical of negotiations and synchronized approaches to additional steps.”
“It is very important preserve a standard imaginative and prescient and coordination of actions between Ukraine, the U.S. and Europe,” he added.
Umerov additionally stated the Ukrainian crew held talks with European representatives from France, the U.Okay., Germany, Italy and Switzerland.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy posted to social media on Tuesday night saying he was anticipating a report from the Ukrainian negotiating crew.
“Ukraine is prepared. We don’t want struggle. And we at all times act symmetrically — we’re defending our state and our independence,” he wrote. “Likewise, we’re prepared to maneuver shortly towards a simply settlement to finish the struggle. The one query is for the Russians: what do they need?”
A U.S. delegation led by Particular Envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner waits for the beginning of a gathering on the primary day of the third spherical of trilateral talks between delegates from Ukraine, Russia and the U.S. in Geneva, Switzerland, February 17, 2026.
Nationwide Safety And Defence Co by way of Reuters
The Ukrainian president once more urged international companions to extend strain and prices on Russia over Moscow’s continued long-range strike marketing campaign towards Ukrainian cities and demanding infrastructure.
The assaults have targeted on vitality targets all through the struggle’s fourth winter, plunging millions of Ukrainians into periodic darkness amid bitterly chilly climate.
“The crew completely should increase the difficulty of those strikes — to start with with the American aspect, which proposed that each us and Russia chorus from assaults,” Zelenskyy stated.
“‘Shaheds,’ missiles and fantasy chatter about historical past matter extra to them than actual diplomacy, diplomacy and lasting peace,” Zelenskyy stated of Moscow.
Russian officers have stated little in regards to the newest spherical of talks. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov advised reporters on Tuesday, “There are not any plans to make any bulletins on this matter. Every part will likely be closed to the press.”
The Russian delegation is being led by Vladimir Medinsky, an aide to President Vladimir Putin identified for his ultraconservative and nationalistic messaging.
Secretary Basic of the Council of Europe Alain Berset and Ukraine’s International Minister Andrii Sybiha converse in Independence Sq. in Kyiv, Ukraine, on Feb. 16, 2026.
Alina Smutko/Reuters
In an interview with Sputnik Radio revealed on Wednesday, Russian International Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova stated of the talks, “Any step that would result in, or lead down a path that results in, a decision to the state of affairs is of nice significance,” as quoted by the state-run Tass information company.
Zakharova once more accused Ukraine’s European companions of making an attempt to sabotage the peace negotiations and pressuring Kyiv to proceed the struggle, echoing a long-held Russian disinformation narrative.
Ukraine and Russia continued their nightly drone and missile exchanges regardless of the continuing talks in Geneva.
Ukraine’s air pressure stated in a put up to Telegram on Wednesday morning that Russia launched one missile and 126 drones into the nation in a single day, of which 100 drones had been shot down or suppressed. The missile and 23 assault drones impacted throughout 14 areas, the air pressure stated.
Ukraine’s State Emergency Service (SES) stated in posts to Telegram that six folks had been injured and one individual killed in a Russian strike on the southern metropolis of Zaporizhzhia on Tuesday night. The SES additionally reported an in a single day assault within the Dnipropetrovsk area.
Folks stroll at a ruined metropolis market following a Russia’s assault in Odesa, Ukraine, Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026. (AP Picture/Michael Shtekel)
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Russia’s Protection Ministry, in the meantime, stated its forces shot down no less than 43 Ukrainian drones in a single day.
Russia’s federal air transport company, Rosaviatsiya, stated in posts to Telegram that non permanent flight restrictions had been launched at airports in Volgograd, Saratov, Cheboksary, Kazan and Kaluga.
ABC Information’ Shannon Kingston, Ellie Kaufman, Will Gretsky and Joseph Simonetti contributed to this report.
