dailynewsnblog
Key events
Russian strikes show disregard for peace talks, Ukrainian foreign minister says
Ukrainian foreign minister Andrii Sybiha said the overnight Russian attack on Ukraine was instructive to show “the extent to which Russia disregards peace efforts.”
“Moscow only understands the language of pressure. It will not take diplomacy seriously if it is not backed by strength,” he warned.
Sybiha called for a new package of sanctions – one is being prepared by the EU for the fourth anniversary of the full-scale aggression next week – and moves against Russia’s shadow bleet.
We are getting a short line from the Kremlin, via Reuters, that the three-way talks with Ukraine and the US are expected to continue tomorrow, with “no news expected today.”
Let’s see about that.
‘Ukraine better come to table fast,’ Trump says on Ukraine-Russia talks
Asked about the talks in Geneva last night, US president Donald Trump said:
“Ukraine better come to the table, fast. That’s all I’m telling you. We are in a position we want them to come.”
Over the weekend, Ukraine’s Zelenskyy stressed that he was pursuing all possible channels of engaging with the US so to not give anyone – including Trump – an excuse to claim that Kyiv is not interested in the talks.
Morning opening: Zelenskyy calls for ‘justice and strength’ as Russian attacks continue just hours before peace talks in Geneva
Jakub Krupa
Senior Ukrainian and Russian officials are meeting in Switzerland for another round of talks brokered by the Trump administration, days before the fourth anniversary of Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
As Luke Harding and Pjotr Sauer explain, the two-day meeting is expected to mirror negotiations held earlier this month in Abu Dhabi, with representatives from Washington, Kyiv and Moscow in attendance.
“Despite renewed US efforts to revive diplomacy, hopes for any sudden breakthrough remain low, with Russia continuing to press maximalist demands on Ukraine.”
Overnight, Russia launched nearly 400 drones and 29 missiles of various types, the Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, said.
“It was a combined strike, deliberately calculated to cause as much damage as possible to our energy sector,” he said.
He urged international partners to “respond to all these strikes against life”, urging them to hold Russia accountable for its aggression.
“Our diplomacy will be more effective if there is justice and strength. Strength of pressure on the Russian Federation – sanctions pressure and steady, rapid support for the Ukrainian army and our air defence.
For peace to be real and just, action must target the sole source of this aggression – because it is Moscow that continues the killings, massive attacks, and assaults.”
The US delegation in Geneva will also hold separate talks with Iran about its nuclear programme as tensions rise in the region.
We will bring you all the updates here.
It’s Tuesday, 17 February 2026, it’s Jakub Krupa here, and this is Europe Live.
Good morning.
