Overview
- U.S.-mediated negotiations on Feb. 17–18 in Geneva concluded without a breakthrough after tense sessions, with both sides set to brief their leaders and continue talks at a later date.
- Zelensky said the parties agreed on almost all elements of a ceasefire monitoring mechanism that would involve the United States, but no deal was reached on core political questions.
- Russia, led in Geneva by Kremlin aide Vladimir Medinsky, maintained its demand that Ukraine cede the remaining parts of Donetsk, a condition Kyiv rejects as unacceptable.
- President Trump publicly urged Ukraine to “come to the table fast,” while Zelensky told Axios that such pressure on Kyiv was “not fair” and ruled out ceding unoccupied areas of Donbas.
- Fighting continued during the talks, with Russian strikes severely damaging Odesa’s power network and large drone and missile barrages reported across multiple regions.