Ukraine-Russia peace talks enter second day in Geneva amid pressure concerns

Summary

Negotiators from Ukraine and Russia resumed talks in Geneva for a second day as diplomatic efforts to end the war continued. Ukrainian officials raised concerns about perceived pressure to make concessions, while U.S. representatives said their mediation is aimed at sustaining momentum toward further negotiations.

GENEVA, Feb. 18, 2026 — Ukraine and Russia held a second day of negotiations in Geneva on Tuesday as international efforts to broker a path toward ending the conflict continued, with Kyiv voicing concern about pressure linked to the talks.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said publicly that calls for faster progress appeared to focus more on Ukraine, though he reiterated appreciation for U.S. diplomatic engagement. U.S. officials said their role is to facilitate dialogue and keep both sides engaged.

U.S. mediation under scrutiny

The talks are being facilitated by U.S. envoys as part of broader diplomatic outreach. Zelenskyy said any proposal requiring Ukraine to cede territory beyond currently contested areas would be unacceptable domestically, emphasizing the need for terms viewed as fair by the Ukrainian public.

At the same time, he described ongoing discussions with U.S. representatives as constructive and thanked Washington for its continued support.

Focus on practical steps rather than breakthroughs

Ukraine’s lead negotiator Rustem Umerov said initial sessions focused on “practical issues” and the framework for potential future decisions, indicating incremental progress rather than a major breakthrough.

Russian officials described the discussions as difficult, with several rounds of bilateral and multilateral meetings extending for hours.

Background: diplomacy amid ongoing conflict

The Geneva meetings follow earlier diplomatic efforts in other venues that failed to produce a comprehensive agreement, with significant gaps remaining on core issues such as territorial control and long-term security arrangements.

Western officials say maintaining dialogue is itself an important step, even as expectations for an immediate settlement remain low.

Why this matters

The continuation of talks signals sustained diplomatic engagement despite a prolonged stalemate on the ground.

For global markets and policymakers, negotiations could influence sanctions policy, energy prices, and geopolitical risk perceptions, particularly if discussions lead to confidence-building measures or a ceasefire framework.

FAQs

Q1. What are the Geneva talks focused on?

They aim to explore potential pathways toward ending the conflict, including ceasefire arrangements and political frameworks.

Q2. Why did Ukraine raise concerns?

Ukrainian officials said public messaging appeared to emphasize concessions from Kyiv, though they continue to support negotiations.

Q3. Has any agreement been reached?

No major breakthrough has been announced; discussions are ongoing.

Q4. Who is mediating the talks?

U.S. envoys are facilitating dialogue between the parties.

Q5. Why are the talks important globally?

Progress could affect sanctions, energy markets, and broader geopolitical stability.