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February 2026 | 15 countries | 93 topics | 3448 sources
The United States is advocating for a peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine by June, with negotiations ongoing in locations like Geneva and Abu Dhabi. Both Russian and Ukrainian leaders have commented on the process, while military strikes continue alongside the diplomatic efforts.
In early February 2026, a renewed diplomatic push to end the war in Ukraine began. The United States brokered peace talks between Russia and Ukraine, held first in Abu Dhabi and later in Geneva. Concurrently, Russia resumed military strikes on Ukraine, with major drone and missile attacks reported in mid-February ahead of negotiation rounds. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that 55,000 Ukrainian soldiers had been killed in the war and announced that Ukraine would only hold elections after a ceasefire was in place.
The diplomatic efforts revealed divergent international positions. The United States, under the involvement of Trump, actively pushed for a peace deal by June, with reports indicating pressure on Zelenskyy to move faster. European leaders were divided; France's President Macron sought to restart direct dialogue with Russia's Putin, while Germany's Merz ruled out talks with Putin, sparking diplomatic tensions. Within Europe, discussions continued about whether to resume dialogue with Russia. Meanwhile, Putin held discussions with other world leaders, including a video call with China's Xi Jinping to strengthen their alliance, and met with Cuban officials to criticize US sanctions.
By late February, as the conflict approached its fourth anniversary, talks in Geneva ended without a breakthrough. Zelenskyy, speaking at the Munich Security Conference, accused Putin of having started World War Three and rejected giving up territory, while expressing a willingness to meet with Putin. Russian officials issued a series of critical statements about Zelenskyy. European media reports suggested some US officials might be considering a change in Ukraine's leadership, promoting Ukraine's former army chief as a political alternative. The month concluded with Trump and Zelenskyy holding a phone call ahead of further planned talks, and Zelenskyy asserting that Russia had not won the war as it entered its fifth year.
The United States is actively brokering peace talks between Russia and Ukraine, pushing for a deal by June. Talks have been held in locations including Abu Dhabi and Geneva, though they have repeatedly ended without a breakthrough. Trump is reported to be urging Zelensky to move faster towards a deal, even as Russia continues military strikes.
The conflict continues with Russia launching drone and missile strikes across Ukraine, including around periods of peace talks. Zelenskyy stated that 55,000 Ukrainian soldiers have been killed in the war. NATO has warned of heavy Russian losses, while Putin emphasized developing Russia's nuclear forces as an absolute priority.
Putin and Chinese leader Xi Jinping held a video call to strengthen their alliance, discussing a nuclear treaty and Iran. Putin also met with Cuban officials, criticizing US sanctions. Meanwhile, European leaders, particularly France's Macron, debated resuming direct dialogue with Putin, though Germany's Merz ruled out such talks.
Zelenskyy faces mixed public trust in Ukraine according to polls, and European media have promoted Ukraine's former army chief as a political alternative. Zelenskyy stated Ukraine will only hold elections after a ceasefire. In Russia, Putin made changes to military and security councils and addressed domestic economic concerns, citing slowed growth.
Zelenskyy accused Putin of having started World War Three, calling him a 'slave to war'. Russian officials made a series of critical statements about Zelenskyy and Western support. The conflict's rhetoric was also reflected in international satire, such as German carnival parades mocking Putin and Trump.
Ukraine engaged in peace talks but made little progress after four years of war, with Zelensky stating Russia had not won as the conflict entered its fifth year, while Russia launched major strikes ahead of talks.