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 have been held within the United Arab Emirates beginning in late January.
In a submit to X, President Donald Trump’s particular envoy Steve Witkoff stated each Ukraine and Russia had agreed to maintain working in the direction of a peace deal following Tuesday’s conferences.
“President Trump’s success in bringing each side of this battle collectively has led to 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 the 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 submit to Telegram that individuals on Tuesday “mentioned the outcomes of right this moment’s spherical of negotiations and synchronized approaches to additional steps.”
“You will need to preserve a typical imaginative and prescient and coordination of actions between Ukraine, the U.S. and Europe,” he added.
Umerov additionally stated the Ukrainian workforce 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 workforce.
“Ukraine is prepared. We don’t want battle. 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 battle. 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 stress and prices on Russia over Moscow’s continued long-range strike marketing campaign in opposition to Ukrainian cities and demanding infrastructure.
The assaults have targeted on power targets all through the battle’s fourth winter, plunging millions of Ukrainians into periodic darkness amid bitterly chilly climate.
“The workforce completely should elevate the problem of those strikes — to begin 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 informed reporters on Tuesday, “There are not any plans to make any bulletins on this matter. All the things will likely be closed to the press.”
The Russian delegation is being led by Vladimir Medinsky, an aide to President Vladimir Putin recognized for his ultraconservative and nationalistic messaging.
Secretary Normal 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 printed on Wednesday, Russian International Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova stated of the talks, “Any step that might result in, or lead down a path that results in, a decision to the scenario 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 battle, echoing a long-held Russian disinformation narrative.
Ukraine and Russia continued their nightly drone and missile exchanges regardless of the continued talks in Geneva.
Ukraine’s air drive stated in a submit to Telegram on Wednesday morning that Russia launched one missile and 126 drones into the nation in a single day, of which 100 drones have been shot down or suppressed. The missile and 23 assault drones impacted throughout 14 places, the air drive stated.
Ukraine’s State Emergency Service (SES) stated in posts to Telegram that six folks have been injured and one particular person 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 Photograph/Michael Shtekel)
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Russia’s Protection Ministry, in the meantime, stated its forces shot down at the very least 43 Ukrainian drones in a single day.
Russia’s federal air transport company, Rosaviatsiya, stated in posts to Telegram that momentary flight restrictions have 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.
