Ukraine and Russia made some progress at U.S.-mediated talks in Geneva but did not find a compromise on the key issue of territory, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Wednesday (February 18, 2026). The two sides agreed on “almost all issues” related to a ceasefire monitoring mechanism which will involve the United States, Mr. Zelenskyy said. DeadlockFor the Geneva talks, the Kremlin reinstated nationalist hawk and former culture minister Vladimir Medinsky as its lead negotiator. “I hope it is just his tactics and not the decision,” Mr. Zelenskyy said. Ukraine says handing Russia more territory will effectively “reward” Russia for invading and embolden it to attack again.
