Zelenskyy: "If we put in the document that we stay where we stay on the contact line, I think people will support this in referendum. That is my opinion." But russia insists it will take full Donbas either through talks or by force. 5/
Full-scale invasion and national resilience, broadcasted live.
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Zelenskyy open to troop withdrawal but rejects Russian sovereignty claims
Zelenskyy prepared to discuss troop withdrawal. He calls Moscow to pull troops back on equivalent distance and rejects Russia's claim to sovereignty over zone. But if deal simply freezes current battle lines in Donbas, Zelenskyy thinks Ukrainian people would accept it in
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New Head of Russian Delegation to Talks
Russian delegation has a new leader: Putin adviser Vladimir Medinsky. Zelenskyy fears the Russian delegation will try to turn talks into a meet-and-greet to buy more time. Zelenskyy: "Medinsky likes to philosophize about historical roots. We don't have time for all this nonsense."
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US proposes Ukrainian withdrawal from Donbas for demilitarized zone
Main sticking point in Geneva talks is control of Donbas. Around 10% still in Ukrainian hands. US mediators proposed Ukrainian forces withdraw from parts they hold and allow area to become demilitarized "free economic zone." Washington has not taken position on sovereignty. 2/
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Zelenskyy: Ukrainians reject peace deal ceding Donbas to Russia
Zelenskyy: Ukrainians will never forgive me or the US if we cede Donbas to Putin. Ukrainian people will reject peace deal that involves Ukraine unilaterally withdrawing from eastern Donbas and turning it over to russia — Axios. 1/
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Allemagne admet manquer de missiles pour l’Ukraine
Germany just admitted it has zero air defense missiles left to give Ukraine from its own reserves. Foreign Minister Wadephul says new production goes straight to the front lines – but urged European partners to step up as Zelenskyy warns Ukraine is running low on interceptors.
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Russia destroys Donbas under guise of ‘liberation’
Russian "liberation" of Donetsk and Donbas – no water, no help from the local "authorities".
— Anton Gerashchenko (@Gerashchenko_en) 17 février 2026
Russia says it wants to "protect" the people of Donbas. But in fact, it destroys Donbas, drains it out (literally and figuratively).
In the Russian-occupied part of the Donetsk region,… https://t.co/6TWrpXKmEk pic.twitter.com/HraRKkyH5ARussian "liberation" of Donetsk and Donbas – no water, no help from the local "authorities". Russia says it wants to "protect" the people of Donbas. But in fact, it destroys Donbas, drains it out (literally and figuratively). In the Russian-occupied part of the Donetsk region,
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2,000 Ukrainian children returned from Russian captivity; Zelenskyy vows to return all
2,000 Ukrainian children returned home from Russian captivity through the Bring Kids Back initiative. Zelenskyy says work won't stop "until every child is back" – tens of thousands remain under Russian control, forcibly separated from their families.
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Zelensky rejects handing Donbas to Russia
Ukrainians will not agree to a peace deal that involves Ukraine withdrawing from Donbas and handing it over to Russia, Zelenskyy said. He added that he is ready to discuss troop withdrawal but called on Moscow to pull its troops back an equivalent distance and rejected Russia's claims.
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Troisième round de négociations Ukraine-Russie-USA à Genève
Third round of Ukraine-Russia-US negotiations kicks off in Geneva, now with British, French, and German advisers in the room. Umerov says Kyiv is working "without excessive expectations" – two previous rounds in Abu Dhabi produced no concrete agreements.