News|Russia-Ukraine warDeadly drone strikes cloud US-brokered Russia-Ukraine talks in GenevaUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio hint at difficulties in next week’s talks.
A recent exchange of drone strikes resulted in fatalities in both Ukraine and Russia, impacting ongoing discussions for a ceasefire. This development precedes the next round of negotiations scheduled for Tue, Feb 13, 2026, in Geneva.
A recent exchange of drone strikes resulted in fatalities in both Ukraine and Russia, impacting ongoing discussions for a ceasefire. This development precedes the next round of negotiations scheduled for Tue, Feb 13, 2026, in Geneva.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio have indicated obstacles to reaching an agreement. Zelenskyy remarked at the Munich Security Conference that while he hopes for "substantive" progress, negotiations often feel misaligned. Rubio stated uncertainty regarding Moscow's commitment to a peace deal.
The negotiations face several contentious issues, including Russia's demand for a full withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from parts of the eastern Donetsk region. Ukraine has rejected unilateral pullbacks, seeking Western security assurances to prevent further invasions.
Rubio did not attend a Ukraine-focused meeting with European and NATO leaders at the Munich conference, citing scheduling conflicts. Zelenskyy emphasized the need for continued US involvement and deeper European engagement in the peace process.
A recent exchange of drone strikes resulted in fatalities in both Ukraine and Russia, impacting ongoing discussions for a ceasefire.
Dutch Foreign Minister David van Weel suggested more pressure should be exerted on Russian President Vladimir Putin, citing a lack of goodwill from Russia in negotiations.
Since the full-scale invasion on Feb 24, 2022, there have been significant military and civilian casualties. Recent Russian drone strikes, including one in Odesa, resulted in the death of an elderly woman. In another incident in Kharkiv, three children and their father were killed.
Ukraine's State Emergency Service reported that Russian drone attacks have been frequent, with over 6,000 attacks in January alone. Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine is working on producing interceptors to counter these drone strikes.
In Russia, a civilian was killed in a Ukrainian drone strike in the Bryansk region. Additionally, a Ukrainian missile strike on Belgorod resulted in two fatalities, injuries, and significant damage to energy facilities.
Oleksiy Goncharenko, a Ukrainian member of parliament, described the attacks on energy infrastructure as "energy terror," highlighting the severe impact on civilians during winter conditions.
Based on reporting by Al Jazeera.
