Kyiv says peace talks could resume

KYIV, Ukraine, Feb. 23, 2026 — Kyiv says another round of U.S.-mediated peace talks with Russia could take place late this week, signaling momentum after recent sessions in Abu Dhabi and Geneva, according to Reuters.

Kyrylo Budanov, the head of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s office, said talks could fall around Feb. 26–27 and that a larger prisoner swap may follow, the Kyiv Independent reported.

Timing and agenda

Budanov said all parties, including the host, must agree to the schedule, and the Kremlin has not confirmed the dates publicly, a gap that underscores the fragile coordination around the process, according to the Kyiv Independent.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has said Geneva talks cover a broader range of issues, including territorial questions, according to PBS NewsHour, reflecting the still-wide distance between the two sides.

Low expectations after Geneva

The most recent Geneva round ended with negotiators returning to brief their leaders, while expectations for a quick breakthrough remained low, the BBC reported, and the Guardian noted that Russia has continued to press maximalist demands even as U.S. envoys push the diplomacy forward.

Washington has been pressing for progress, but analysts and officials say the fundamental disputes over occupied territory and security guarantees remain unresolved, as PBS NewsHour reported.

Diplomacy and next steps

Budanov said Kyiv is still trying to organize a leaders’ meeting, though he described it as very difficult, according to Reuters, as both sides weigh whether to keep fighting or pivot toward a negotiated settlement.

With the fourth anniversary of the full-scale invasion approaching, diplomats expect any near-term talks to focus on practical steps and confidence-building measures rather than a rapid ceasefire, as coverage of the Geneva meetings has shown.

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