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Talks on Ukraine in Geneva

Russian delegation at Geneva talks reports directly to Putin — Kremlin spokesman

The Russian delegation is led by Presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky

© Yekaterina Chesnokova/POOL/TASS

MOSCOW, February 18. /TASS/. The Russian negotiating team at the consultations on a Ukrainian settlement in Geneva is providing regular updates on the progress of the discussions directly to Russian President Vladimir Putin, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told a briefing.

"Of course, direct reports are being made to the president," he said. "But it is too early to make any assessments," Peskov added.

The trilateral talks between Russia, the United States, and Ukraine began in Geneva on Tuesday. The Russian delegation is led by Presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky.

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Foreign policy Dmitry Peskov

Europe's weapons supplies to Kiev show unwillingness to see peace in Ukraine — MFA

Maria Zakharova noted that weapons are supplied despite the ongoing peace talks

Telegram could meet all of Roskomnadzor’s requirements in month — MP

Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Committee on Information Policy Andrey Svintsov stressed that Telegram has begun actively complying with illegal content blocking requirements

Russian athletes to march at 2026 Winter Paralympics Opening Ceremony — sports official

The 2026 Winter Paralympic Games will be held in Italy on March 6-15

Zelensky fails to simulate fight against corruption, bigger sacrifice needed — diplomat

Rodion Miroshnik also added that an international investigation could reveal Vladimir Zelensky as a key figure in embezzling Western funds

Ten skiers missing in California avalanche

The avalanche struck near the town of Truckee in the Castle Peak area northwest of Lake Tahoe, which is a popular destination for freeride skiing

Russian drone operators destroy enemy equipment in Ukrainian-controlled territory

According to the serviceman, a target falls into the trap roughly once a week

Mexico to continue assisting Cuba but will not supply oil for now — president

Claudia Sheinbaum also emphasized that Mexico respects the Cuban people’s right to self-determination and opposes foreign interference in the country’s internal affairs

Road network funding amount to $43.2 bln in 2025 — Russian transport minister

Andrey Nikitin said that 1,600 km of were built and renovated in Russia in 2025

Europe harming itself by sabotaging its own interests — US Vice President

JD Vance also pointed out that that he would like to see greater efforts from European states to protect their borders in order to preserve "civilizational coherence"

At least 43 Ukrainian UAVs shot down overnight over Russian regions and Black Sea

21 of them were destroyed over the territory of the Bryansk Region

Russian diplomat calls any step toward Ukrainian settlement significant

It is Kiev and its Western backers who are diminishing the importance of negotiations, Maria Zakharova emphasized

Zelensky may suffer some kind of 'accident' if goes to talks — Ukrainian ex-officer

Vasily Prozorov added that Vladimir Zelensky is not just opposing the US administration without reason and that forces are standing behind him that do not want the fighting in Ukraine to end

Russia to demand legal codification of NATO’s non-expansion eastward — newspaper

According to the newspaper, Moscow will also demand the revocation of the decisions of the 2008 Bucharest Summit

France, Germany on collision course over EU military leadership — Russian expert

Both countries vie for military leadership in the European Union, Alexander Kamkin noted

US trying to fabricate pretext for resuming nuclear testing — Chinese embassy

China urges the US to take concrete steps to safeguard the international nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation regime, Liu Pengyu said

Military police building collapses in Leningrad Region, investigation underway — governor

Alexander Drozdenko has ordered assistance to the military in clearing the rubble

Kiev carries out targeted terrorist attacks against children — Russian diplomat

According to Maria Zakharova, these are precise, targeted actions through planting Lepestok mines and using drones

EAEU-Iran free trade agreement opens market to over 2,000 goods from Russia

The list of goods includes confectionery, flour, light industry products and machinery

IN BRIEF: What is known about collapse of military police building in Leningrad Region

According to preliminary reports, there were casualties as a result of the incident

Ukrainian soldiers blow up ferry in Dnepropetrovsk Region to skip combat — defense source

According to the source, it were soldiers of the Ukrainian army’s 67th brigade

European officials report arrival in Geneva for talks on Ukraine

Representatives of Italy, Germany, France and the United Kingdom are in Geneva

Russian troops deliver massive strike on Ukrainian army’s energy infrastructure over day

Russia’s Battlegroup South inflicted more than 195 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed two US-made armored vehicles in its area of responsibility over the past day, the Defense Ministry reported

FACTBOX: Telegram blocking speculation and mass channel crackdown

Roskomnadzor’s press service stated that the agency has nothing to add to previously published information regarding the possible blocking of Telegram

State Duma passes bill giving FSB power to turn off telecom services

The reasons for the shutdown will be set by the government

Three victims found dead at building collapse site in Russia’s Leningrad Region — governor

Investigative actions are ongoing, Alexander Drozdenko reported

Press review: Geneva talks on Ukraine begin and Epstein case could spark GOP fiasco

Top stories from the Russian press on Tuesday, February 17th

Iraq approves agreement with Lukoil to cede operations at West Qurna-2 to local company

In early January, Iraqi authorities announced the transfer, stating it was occurring "in accordance with the provisions of the service and development contract"

Ukraine ‘better come to the table fast,’ Trump says

The president says, the US urges Kiev to start being more flexible

US must build trust with Russia, China to prevent resumption of nuclear testing — expert

Executive Director of the American Arms Control Association Daryl Kimball emphasized that any US resumption of testing would set off a chain reaction of nuclear testing by other nuclear-armed states

Russian troops break Ukrainian defenses near Kramatorsk after liberating Minkovka — expert

The Ukrainian army had many strongholds, materiel depots and temporary deployment sites in Minkovka, Andrey Marochko said

Envoy Filatov calls Ireland’s comment on alleged Russian threat dangerous illusion

According to the Russian ambassador to Ireland Yury Filatov, a similar thesis, like in the other countries, is used to justify a course towards militarization of the country

Charges against China regarding nuclear tests shaky at best — US expert

Professor Peter Kuznick recalled that the first Donald Trump administration had made similar claims about Russia in May 2019 only to have most experts support Russia's denial

Russia to test Internet provider drone similar to Starlink — newspaper

According to the newspaper, the drone will operate at an altitude of 15 to 24 kilometers

Ukrainian units face 'icy hell' in Kupyansk-Uzlovoy area — Russian Defense Ministry

Up to 30% of Ukrainian army soldiers in the Kupyansk direction are incapacitated due to frostbite and other cold-related injuries, and it is impossible to evacuate them

Lagarde to step down as ECB head ahead of schedule — FT

According to the report, Christine Lagarde wants to give outgoing French President Emmanuel Macron, whose term ends in May 2027, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz the opportunity to appoint a new head of one of the community's most important institutions

Russia’s Petrosyan flawless in ladies’ short program at 2026 Italy Winter Games

The Russian, who is participating at the 2026 Games under a neutral status, had a clean performance skating to a mix of hits by US pop idol Michael Jackson

Russian Finance Ministry suggests simplifying branches’ opening for foreign banks

The draft document also stipulates lifting restrictions on banking with individuals - all the transactions and deals authorized for branches of foreign banks to be made with legal entities will be available for them

Russian MP slams Poland’s plans to claim reparations from Russia

"This is a 'smokescreen' of the dwarfish infantry on the fields of the proxy war against Russia," chairman of the international committee of the Russian State Duma Leonid Slutsky said

Trump extends order authorizing detention of ships bound for Cuba for year

The US leader also added that a mass migration from Cuba would endanger United States national security

Iran, Russia to conduct joint drills in Sea of Oman Thursday — Iranian Navy

According to Iranian Navy’s spokesman Rear Admiral Hassan Maghsoudloo, the main objective of these maneuvers is to practice cooperation in combating maritime security threats, particularly in protecting merchant vessels and oil tankers

Foreign mercenaries in Ukrainian forces almost absent on the Slavyansk-Kramatorsk axis

Before, there were French and Poles, but now there was eliminated only one Georgian

Japan-Russia trade turnover up 14.65% in January to $692 mln — TASS calculations

Imports from Russia added 6% in the reporting period, while exports from Japan to Russia soared by 53.4% year-on-year

Expert suggests Telegram may remain functional due to the messenger’s policy

Association of Bloggers and Agencies President Yulia Dolgova also highlighted the factor of using means to bypass blocking

United States may use military force if talks with Iran reach deadlock — Vance

US Vice President noted that there are a lot of options

US says Geneva talks with Iran met expectations — Axios

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said earlier that Iran and the United States had reached an understanding on a range of issues

Lavrov discusses strengthening strategic partnership with BRICS ambassadors

According to the Foreign Ministry, the sides discussed current issues on the global agenda, with a focus on the inadmissibility of undermining the central role of the United Nations

Putin, Macron talk to each other 'on the go' after funeral service for Chirac

Putin talked with the French leader for about two minutes

US strike on drug-trafficking vessels leaves 11 people dead — Pentagon

According to the statement, two of the vessels were detected and struck in the Eastern Pacific

Russian fighters enter Ukrainian positions in forest near Konstantinovka, DPR — expert

Andrey Marochko noted that the enemy had seriously fortified Novodmitrovka, having constructed "strong fortifications"

What we know about Ukrainian settlement talks beginning in Geneva

The Russian delegation, which includes about 20 people, is headed by Presidential Aide Vladimir Medinsky

Political, military groups to continue consultations in Geneva on Wednesday — Umerov

Vladimir Zelensky will be briefed on the results of the first day of talks, Ukraine’s chief negotiator said

Navy Chief Moiseyev heads Russian delegation at Milan 2026 multilateral naval exercise

In the next few days, the Marshal Shaposhnikov crew will take part in some protocol, cultural and sports events as part of the coastal phase of the multilateral naval exercise

Russia develops Bulavka FPV interceptor system against drones

The drone is not equipped with a warhead, its maximum payload is 200 grams and the maximum speed is 270 km/h

Ukraine will only win as part of Russia, lawmaker says

Andrey Kartapolov highlighted that European politicians had already realized their defeat and were making such statements to justify themselves before their citizens

Corvette Stoiky took part in exercise with Iranian Navy ships in Gulf of Oman

This activity followed an unofficial port visit by the Russian vessel to Bandar Abbas

Russian delegation at Geneva talks reports directly to Putin — Kremlin spokesman

The Russian delegation is led by Presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky

US wants all nuclear powers to engage in nuclear disarmament talks

Assistant Secretary of State for Arms Control and Nonproliferation Christopher Yeaw said that is a high priority for Washington

US Department of State says China conducts nuclear tests

"China has used decoupling, a method to decrease the effectiveness of seismic monitoring to hide its activities from the world," Christopher Yeaw said

Hungary, Slovakia seeking to receive Russian oil through Croatia — Szijjarto

The Hungarian foreign minister noted that Ukraine is blocking the transit of crude from Russia for political reasons

Europe withdraws all gas it pumped in for heating season from storage facilities

European UGS facilities are currently 33.02% full

Large Flamingo missile production line destroyed in Ukraine, Zelensky admits

Vladimir Zelensky added that he could speak about this because the incident occurred some time ago

Czech Republic suggests supplying oil to Slovakia over its branch of Druzhba pipeline

The First Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister of Industry and Trade of the Czech Republic said that a small oil volume is meant

Press review: Ukraine seeks EU accession in 2027 and Germany urges Russian energy return

Top stories from the Russian press on Friday, February 13th

FACTBOX: Forty-three drones downed over Russian regions, one person injured

One person was injured in the drone attack on the city of Cheboksary

Russia’s Petrosyan places fifth after short program at Olympics

The free programs are scheduled for February 19

Cargo transportation over Northern Sea Route reach 37.02 mln tons — minister

The transportation plan for the last year totaled 35.1 mln metric tons

European Commission silent on problems with approving new sanctions package against Russia

According to the agenda of the EU Committee of Permanent Representatives, the 20th package of sanctions will be discussed at the ambassadors level on February 18 and 20 and on February 23 at the meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels

US Department of State claims that Russia, China conducted nuclear tests

Assistant Secretary of State for Arms Control and Nonproliferation Christopher Yeaw said that current situation in this sphere is extremely disadvantageous for Washington

Iran, US see progress at indirect negotiations in Geneva — Oman’s top diplomat

Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi stressed that in order to conclude a final deal "much work is yet to be done"

Canada’s nuclear weapons development would result in international isolation — newspaper

The media outlet doubts that Ottawa would use the weapons even if they were successfully produced

Russian stock market closes with major indices decline

The yuan exchange rate dropped by 13.5 kopecks to 10.99 rubles

Russian detained in Sweden at US request — TV

The man is suspected of violating sanctions in 2022-2023

Kiev's negotiating team splits into two camps — The Economist

Head of Vladimir Zelensky's office Kirill Budanov believes that doing a deal now with Russia under the auspices of Washington will be more beneficial for Kiev, since the window of opportunity may close soon, the magazine claims

US keeps influence on Venezuela through control over its oil sales — Energy Secretary

That money goes back down to Venezuela, Chris Wright said

MOEX Index up 0.4% as morning trading session opens

As of 7:10 a.m. Moscow time, the MOEX Index was up by 0.19% at 2,770.72 points

US gives guidance on combat operations to Ukraine — Russian Foreign Ministry

Washington is engaging its allies in these activities, prompting them to send armaments to Ukraine, Director of the Second Department of CIS Countries of the Russian Foreign Ministry Aleksey Polischuk noted

Talks in Geneva address 'major issues, major compromises' — TASS source

The trilateral talks have been underway for over four hours

Any attempt to impose naval blockade on Russia illegal — Maritime Board chair

Nikolay Patrushev stressed that if the situation could not be resolved peacefully, the blockade would be broken and lifted by the Navy

What we know about second round of US-Iran nuclear talks on Tehran’s nuclear dossier

Tehran and Washington reached understanding on a range of general issues, the IRNA news agency said

US reportedly explores scenarios for potential lifting of anti-Russian sanctions

The magazine emphasized that Europe would lift sanctions against Russia with great reluctance, however US President Donald Trump could influence that decision

Total length of Russian roads reach 1.58 mln km — Transport Ministry

Regional roads stand at 502,500 km and federal roads equal 65,500 km

State Department confirms US wants China to take part in disarmament talks

The Treaty between Russia and the United States on Measures for the Further Reduction and Limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms expired on February 5

Slovakia requested Croatia to let Russian oil flowing over Adria pipeline

The Economy Ministry of Slovakia expects that feedstock supplies over the Druzhba oil pipeline halted since early February will resume shortly

Russia to hold informal UNSC meeting on media coverage of Ukrainian crisis on Feb 20

Russia plans to discuss the role of the Western and Ukrainian media in forming a distorted vision of the Ukrainian crisis

Galushchenko’s arrest shows Zelensky's corruption will not be swept under rug — diplomat

Rodion Miroshnik emphasized that Galushchenko’s detention demonstrates that NABU and those who stand behind NABU are quite serious

Disagreements arise in EU on measures for new anti-Russian sanctions package — Bloomberg

According to the news agency, Greece and Malta speak against the proposal to replace the Russian oil price cap with a ban on maritime services for Russian oil, such as insurance and transportation

Japanese parliament to convene after ruling party’s victory in lower house elections

During the 150-day session, deputies will adopt the 2026 budget and consider key bills for Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi

Trilateral talks on Ukraine end in Geneva after 6 hours of discussions

The talks were held behind closed doors at Hotel InterContinental

LDP leader Sanae Takaichi reelected Japanese prime minister

Sanae Takaichi secured 354 votes

Putin to chair supervisory board meeting on strategic initiatives for 15th anniversary

The meeting will review the agency’s 2025 results and outline goals for the upcoming period

Polish president not coming to inaugural Gaza Board of Peace meeting — spokesperson

Polish President Karol Nawrocki will be represented by the head of the Bureau for International Policy, Minister Marcin Przydacz

Kiev negotiator died during ‘special assignment’ — defense ministry

Three intelligence officers, staffers of the Ukrainian Defense Ministry’s Main Intelligence Directorate, were killed while performing special assignments, the statement noted

Witkoff announces significant progress in negotiation process on Ukraine

According to the US Special Presidential Envoy, "both parties agreed to update their respective leaders and continue working towards a deal"

Japan-Russia trade turnover in January increased by 14.65%, reaching $692 million

Japan increased coal imports from Russia by 258.6%

Gazprom plans to put Kharasavey field in operation in 2026

Gradual recruitment of the operating staff is underway in connection with the planned launch of the field, the company said

US allegations about China conducting nuclear tests baseless — Chinese embassy

Spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in Washington Liu Pengyu stressed that this is political manipulation aimed at pursuing nuclear hegemony

Ukrainian military attack Alyoshki district 750 times in one week

Ruslan Khomenko, head of the district, added that four civilians were wounded in Ukrainian strikes over the past seven days

Geneva talks were tough-going but businesslike — Russia’s chief delegate

Vladimir Medinsky announced that a new meeting on Ukraine would take place soon

Finnish politician calls on the West to recognize Russia's red lines in Ukrainian conflict

Armando Mema noted that the Russian side had repeatedly spoken about security guarantees, but Europe "refused them with arrogance"

Talks on Ukrainian settlement in Geneva pass three-hour mark

The Russian delegation is led by Presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky

Europe withdraws almost all gas it pumped in for heating season from storage facilities

Gas withdrawal from UGS facilities in EU countries amounted to around 475 mln cubic meters on February 15