The Ukrainian delegation at talks with Russia and the US to end Moscow’s invasion, Geneva, Switzerland, February 16, 2026

Tuesday’s Coverage: Kyiv Regains Territory in South After Russia’s Troops Lose Starlink

UPDATE 0634 GMT:

Ukrainian drones struck the Taman oil terminal in the Krasnodar region in southwest Russia overnight.

The UAVs also hit the Metafrax Chemicals plant in the Perm region, around 1,600 km (994 miles) from the border, said the Ukrainian State security service SBU.

Ukraine’s drones have hit nine oil refineries, among 240 facilities struck in Russia and Russian-occupied territory, since the start of 2026.

ORIGINAL ENTRY: Ukrainian officials have said that “practical issues” were discussed in more than five hours of talks on Tuesday with Russia and the US over Moscow’s invasion.

However, they gave no details, and President Volodymyr Zelensky chided Donald Trump over “undue pressure” on Kyiv to give way to the Kremlin’s demands for territory and permanent Ukrainian weakness.

Rustem Umerov, the head of the Ukrainian delegation, said of the first day of the discussions in Geneva, “Discussions focused on practical issues and the mechanics of possible solutions. We would like to thank our American partners for constructive cooperation.”

A Russian official said only that the discussions were “very tense”.

Donald Trump’s envoy, real estate developer Steve Witkoff, declared “meaningful progress”: “Both parties agreed to update their respective leaders and continue working towards a deal.”

But Zelensky said it was “not fair” that Trump kept calling for Ukrainian concessions with no easing of the Kremlin’s ultimata for surrender: “I hope it is just his tactics and not the decision.”

In the interview with Axios, Zelensky emphasized that any proposal requiring Ukraine to withdraw from the Donetsk region, in the east of the country, will be rejected by Ukrainians if put to a referendum.

Trump snapped on Monday, “Ukraine better come to the table fast. That’s all I’m telling you.”

Hours later, Russia fired 29 missiles and 396 drones, trying to breaking Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. A 68-year-old woman was killed and 25 other civilians injured by the attacks.

In his nightly address to the nation, Zelensky focused on the strikes as he awaited a report on the talks from his negotiators, “This very clearly shows what Russia wants and what it is truly intent on….The team absolutely must raise the issue of these strikes – first of all with the American side.”

The only question is for the Russians: what do they want? And also, whether there will be consequences for Russia for the fact that “shaheds” [attack drone], missiles, and fantasy chatter about history matter more to them than real diplomacy and lasting peace.