Category: World

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has mentioned that Ukrainians won’t settle for a peace deal that includes Ukraine's unilateral withdrawal from Donbas and its handover to Russia.

Supply: Zelenskyy in an interview with US digital information outlet Axios

Particulars: Zelenskyy mentioned one of the best ways to make a breakthrough on territory is a face-to-face assembly with the Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin. He mentioned he had instructed his group to debate a future leaders' assembly in Geneva.

Zelenskyy mentioned he is able to talk about troop withdrawals, however has referred to as on Moscow to drag its forces again by an equal distance and has rejected Russia's claims of sovereignty over the world.

He additionally added that Washington and Kyiv have agreed that any deal have to be put to a referendum of the Ukrainian individuals.

Nonetheless, if an settlement means Ukraine merely withdraws from Donbas, sacrificing its sovereignty and the citizenship of the individuals who dwell there, he believes it will be rejected.

Zelenskyy mentioned that emotionally the individuals won’t forgive the Ukrainian authorities or worldwide companions for abandoning the residents and land.

Quote: "That is a part of our nation, all these residents, the flag, the land."

Extra particulars: In the meantime, Zelenskyy mentioned he believes that Ukrainians would settle for a deal that freezes the present entrance line in Donbas.

Russia, nonetheless, insists it is going to take all of Donbas both by way of talks or by power. Resolving this situation in a approach acceptable to each side is the primary precedence for US Particular Envoy Steve Witkoff and President Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner on this week's peace talks.

Assist Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!

Roman Oleksiv, 11, from Vinnytsia has acquired an award on the annual Cinema for Peace occasion held on the Berlin Worldwide Movie Competition. He was awarded with the Cinema for Peace Honorary Dove 2026 for that includes within the documentary Youngsters within the Fireplace directed by Evgeny Afineevsky.

Supply: Roman Oleksiv on Fb

Particulars: The documentary tells the story of Roman, who suffered extreme accidents in a Russian missile strike on town of Vinnytsia in July 2022. His mom was killed. Roman sustained in depth burns, underwent dozens of operations and spent an extended interval in rehabilitation overseas. He has returned to highschool, resumed music classes and commenced public appearances by which he shares his story.

Youngsters within the Fireplace was shortlisted within the Most Beneficial Documentary Movie of the 12 months class alongside 2000 Meters to Andriivka by Ukrainian director Mstyslav Chernov and 9 different works.

Former US secretary of state Hillary Clinton was among the many company. Afineevsky introduced her with a shawl by a Ukrainian model that includes kids's drawings.

Cinema for Peace has been held since September 2001. Annually it honours movies and people for contributions to reporting on wars and humanitarian crises and for efforts to defend human rights.

In 2008, the initiative led to the creation of the Cinema for Peace Basis, a world non-profit and non-governmental organisation based mostly in Berlin and devoted to "driving change by means of movies able to altering views and bringing hope to its audiences".

In recent times, Cinema for Peace has supported a variety of main initiatives and movies, working with artists comparable to Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt, Leonardo DiCaprio, George Clooney, Julia Roberts, Charlize Theron, and Nicole Kidman. It has additionally labored with distinguished figures comparable to The Dalai Lama, Muhammad Ali, Invoice and Hillary Clinton and Nelson Mandela.

Assist Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!

The Economist experiences that divisions are rising inside Ukraine's negotiating staff. One group is supporting Kyrylo Budanov, Head of the President's Workplace, and favouring a swift US-brokered cope with Russia, whereas one other group aligned with Andrii Yermak, former chief of the President's Workplace, is much less optimistic.

Supply: The Economist

Particulars: The Economist says that each Russia and Ukraine chosen extra pragmatic figures for his or her negotiating groups in 2026.

Particularly, Kyrylo Budanov, former head of Defence Intelligence of Ukraine, made a powerful impression because the de-facto new head of the Ukrainian delegation.

One supply near the Ukrainian staff assessed the probabilities of a breakthrough within the negotiations as "50-50".

In the meantime, the Kremlin unexpectedly reinstated Vladimir Medinsky as head of its negotiating staff. The Economist's columnist describes Medinsky as "a demagogue with a penchant for historic fantasy".

Quote: "Divisions are additionally rising inside Ukraine's delegation. One wing, centred on Mr Budanov, believes Ukraine's pursuits are greatest served by a swift American-led settlement, and fears the window for motion might quickly shut. However one other wing, apparently nonetheless influenced by the controversial former chief of employees Andrii Yermak, who departed in a corruption scandal, is far much less eager. Mr Zelenskyy seems to be balancing between them, whereas additionally having his personal concepts."

Background: On 17 February, a brand new spherical of peace negotiations in a trilateral format between Ukraine, the USA and Russia started in Geneva.

Help Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!

The Economist stories that divisions are rising inside Ukraine's negotiating workforce. One group is supporting Kyrylo Budanov, Head of the President's Workplace, and favouring a swift US-brokered take care of Russia, whereas one other group aligned with Andrii Yermak, former chief of the President's Workplace, is much less optimistic.

Supply: The Economist

Particulars: The Economist says that each Russia and Ukraine chosen extra pragmatic figures for his or her negotiating groups in 2026.

Particularly, Kyrylo Budanov, former head of Defence Intelligence of Ukraine, made a powerful impression because the de-facto new head of the Ukrainian delegation.

One supply near the Ukrainian workforce assessed the probabilities of a breakthrough within the negotiations as "50-50".

In the meantime, the Kremlin unexpectedly reinstated Vladimir Medinsky as head of its negotiating workforce. The Economist's columnist describes Medinsky as "a demagogue with a penchant for historic fantasy".

Quote: "Divisions are additionally rising inside Ukraine's delegation. One wing, centred on Mr Budanov, believes Ukraine's pursuits are finest served by a swift American-led settlement, and fears the window for motion could quickly shut. However one other wing, apparently nonetheless influenced by the controversial former chief of workers Andrii Yermak, who departed in a corruption scandal, is far much less eager. Mr Zelenskyy seems to be balancing between them, whereas additionally having his personal concepts."

Background: On 17 February, a brand new spherical of peace negotiations in a trilateral format between Ukraine, the US and Russia started in Geneva.

Assist Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!

A 25-year-old Moldovan nationwide was detained in Pulawy, Poland, after trying to halt a freight prepare carrying oil to Ukraine.

Supply: European Pravda, citing RMF24

Particulars: The prepare consisted of 37 wagons crammed with oil. The Moldovan engaged the emergency brakes on three of the wagons. Earlier, he had requested the prepare crew for permission to board.

"The person who tried to entry the carriage and sought to power the motive force to take him to Dorohusk was detained when the motive force found that the wagons have been partially blocked," mentioned Police Chief Marek Boroń.

He added that the emergency braking may have precipitated the prepare to derail.

It’s recognized that the detainee entered Poland on Sunday by way of the Terespol border crossing.

Authorities discovered a bag containing digital tools, telephones, SIM playing cards and numerous paperwork.

"He possessed certificates proving his proficiency in Russian," Marek Boroń reported.

Investigations into his motives are ongoing. Authorities are checking whether or not he was performing on orders from international companies, however up to now this speculation has not been confirmed.

The case is being dealt with by the navy division of the District Prosecutor's Workplace in Lublin.

"The freight prepare close to which this man was current has been inspected; no hazardous supplies have been discovered," mentioned Andrzej Fijołek, press officer of the Lublin Voivodeship Police.

The police intervention was a part of an operation launched in mid-November after an act of sabotage was detected on this railway line.

Assist Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!

Ukraine is systematically scaling up using floor robotic methods on the entrance. In January 2026 alone, greater than 7,000 missions involving floor drones have been carried out; the overwhelming majority of them have been logistics duties on the entrance line.

Supply: Ukraine's Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov

Quote: "Simply six months in the past, the evacuation of the wounded utilizing floor robotic methods was an remoted incidence. At the moment, robots usually enter high-risk zones: they ship ammunition, present logistics and evacuate the wounded the place the presence of individuals creates extra hazard."

Particulars: Fedorov stated that using floor robotic methods on the battlefield is now not a collection of particular person instances however every day observe for models. He additionally introduced the purpose of maximally shifting frontline logistics to floor drones. The minister famous that this might assist cut back dangers for servicemen and enhance unit effectiveness.

Quote: "This 12 months we’ll enhance manufacturing, procurement volumes of floor robotic methods and enhance communication and management methods. We can even allow army models to finish their methods – buying the mandatory modules and elements for particular fight duties."

Particulars: Fedorov additionally revealed a video displaying an evacuation mission by a rifle unit of the seventeenth Separate Heavy Mechanised Brigade. A wounded serviceman was evacuated from a harmful space utilizing a floor robotic system.

Learn extra: Robots taking the place of troopers: how floor robotic methods armed with machine weapons are changing individuals on the entrance traces

Background: Just lately, Ukrainian troopers captured a Bulgarian citizen serving within the Russian military who was advancing to assault a place. He was transported to an evacuation level utilizing a floor robotic system.

Help Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!

Hungary's place on Russian sports activities officers might delay the adoption of additional EU sanctions in opposition to Moscow.

Supply: Politico, a Brussels-based politics and coverage information organisation, citing sources, as reported by European Pravda

Particulars: General, the EU is near finalising its twentieth package deal of sanctions in opposition to Russia, with a deal anticipated following two extra Coreper II ambassador conferences, three diplomats informed Politico.

Kaja Kallas, EU Excessive Consultant for Overseas Affairs and Safety Coverage, is urgent laborious to have the sanctions package deal prepared by 24 February, the fourth anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Ambassadors are anticipated to fulfill once more on Wednesday and probably Friday, the diplomats mentioned.

Kallas can also be coordinating with the UK to make sure the sanctions are as efficient as attainable.

On Monday, ambassadors obtained a report from EU Sanctions Envoy David O'Sullivan, who has been working with third international locations to shut loopholes that allow Russia to maintain its oil tankers working on the excessive seas.

Nonetheless, two different diplomats informed Politico that Hungary is insisting on exempting senior Russian sports activities officers from the sanctions checklist – a stance that might delay the package deal's adoption.

Background: European Pravda reported that European Fee President Ursula von der Leyen had mentioned sanctions on Russia and EU-US coordination on sanctions with a bipartisan US delegation on the sidelines of the Munich Safety Convention.

Greece and Malta have turn into the primary impediment to a proposal by the EU to exchange the worth cap on Russian oil with a ban on companies essential for transporting the gasoline.

Assist Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!

Ukrainian International Minister Andrii Sybiha has mentioned that Russia's large-scale assault forward of the Geneva talks demonstrates the necessity to improve strain on Moscow to carry the warfare to an finish.

Supply: Sybiha on X (Twitter), as reported by European Pravda

Particulars: Sybiha famous that the large-scale missile and drone strike on Ukraine simply earlier than the following spherical of Geneva talks exhibits Russia's disregard for peace efforts.

Quote: "Moscow solely understands the language of strain. It won’t take diplomacy critically if it isn’t backed by energy. New sanctions packages are vital. Blocking shadow fleet. Maritime providers ban. Entry ban for individuals of Russian aggression. Solely our unity and energy will carry an finish to this warfare."

Background:

• On the night of 16 February, the Ukrainian delegation arrived in Geneva for a two-day trilateral assembly with Russia and the US.
• The Russian facet has made modifications for the reason that earlier spherical, with the delegation now to be led by Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin's aide Vladimir Medinsky.
• Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy hopes the negotiations with the US and Russia on a possible finish to the warfare won’t be slowed down by the modifications within the Russian negotiating workforce.

Assist Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!

US President Donald Trump has stated forward of trilateral talks in Geneva that Ukraine "higher come to the desk quick".

Supply: Trump talking to journalists on board Air Drive One, as reported by European Pravda

Quote from Trump on the trilateral talks in Geneva on 17-18 February: "We now have huge talks. It's gonna be very straightforward."

Particulars: Trump added that "Ukraine higher come to the desk quick".

"That's all I'm telling you," he concluded.

Background:

• On the night of 16 February, the Ukrainian delegation arrived in Geneva.
• The Russian aspect had made modifications for the reason that earlier spherical, with the delegation now to be led by Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin's aide Vladimir Medinsky.
• Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy hopes the negotiations with the US and Russia on a possible finish to the battle is not going to be slowed down by the modifications within the Russian negotiating staff.

Help Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!

Of the two,600 multi-storey residential buildings in Kyiv that misplaced their warmth provide resulting from a Russian assault on the capital's power infrastructure on 12 February, round 100 nonetheless haven’t any heating.

Supply: Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko on Telegram

Particulars: Klitschko stated utility employees have restored heating to 2,500 condo blocks and are persevering with to work to deliver it again to the remaining properties.

He identified that over 1,100 condo buildings in Kyiv's Dniprovskyi and Darnytskyi districts stay with out heating following earlier assaults. It’s presently not possible to revive their warmth provide because of the vital injury triggered to the Darnytsia mixed warmth and energy plant.

Background:

• Earlier, Klitschko stated that Kyiv has been getting ready to disaster over the previous two months resulting from intensive Russian assaults.
• Consultants have examined the injury to the Darnytsia mixed warmth and energy plant and compiled an inventory of greater than 1,100 condo buildings that may stay with out heating till the plant is rebuilt.

Assist Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!