Geneva Peace Talks Yield Partial Ceasefire Agreement in Ukraine Conflict

February 17, 2026

After three days of intense negotiations in Geneva, representatives from Ukraine, Russia, and international mediators announced a partial ceasefire agreement late Friday night, marking the first significant diplomatic breakthrough in the ongoing conflict since late 2024. The deal, brokered by Switzerland in coordination with the United Nations, United States, European Union, and Turkey, establishes a 30-day cessation of hostilities along a 120-kilometer section of the front line in eastern Ukraine, primarily in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions.

The agreement includes immediate withdrawal of heavy artillery to a distance of 30 kilometers from the contact line, creation of demilitarized humanitarian corridors for civilian evacuation and aid delivery, and establishment of joint monitoring teams composed of UN observers and representatives from both sides. Both Ukraine and Russia committed to halting drone and missile strikes on civilian infrastructure during the 30-day period.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy described the partial ceasefire as “a necessary first step toward saving lives and creating space for genuine negotiations,” while emphasizing that “any violation will be met with a proportionate response.” Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov called the agreement “a pragmatic move toward de-escalation” but reiterated Moscow’s insistence on recognition of territorial realities and security guarantees as prerequisites for a comprehensive settlement.

Key Participants and Mediation Efforts

The talks were hosted by Swiss Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis and facilitated by UN Special Envoy for Ukraine Staffan de Mistura. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and European Union High Representative Kaja Kallas attended key sessions, while Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan played a crucial bridging role between the two delegations.

Closed-door meetings also included representatives from France, Germany, Poland, and China, though Beijing did not join as a formal mediator. The United Kingdom and several Eastern European nations expressed cautious support for the partial truce while urging stronger enforcement mechanisms.

Humanitarian and Economic Provisions

The agreement includes:

• Immediate opening of six humanitarian corridors for civilian evacuations from frontline areas
• Unimpeded delivery of food, medicine, and winter heating supplies to affected populations
• Temporary suspension of economic sanctions related to energy exports along agreed routes
• Joint commitment to repair critical civilian infrastructure damaged in recent months

Both sides agreed to allow International Committee of the Red Cross teams unrestricted access to detention facilities and POW exchange sites during the ceasefire period.

Reactions and Challenges Ahead

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg welcomed the partial ceasefire as “a step in the right direction” but stressed the need for “robust verification and swift enforcement.” The United Nations Security Council is expected to convene an emergency session Monday to endorse the agreement and authorize expanded UN monitoring presence.

Critics, including several Ukrainian opposition figures and Eastern European governments, expressed skepticism about enforcement, pointing to previous failed ceasefires. Russian state media described the deal as “a tactical pause” rather than a strategic shift.

The 30-day truce is scheduled to begin at 00:00 local time on February 17, 2026, with both sides agreeing to a hotline mechanism for immediate reporting of violations. Negotiators have committed to reconvening in Geneva on March 1 to assess compliance and discuss extension or expansion of the ceasefire.

While falling short of a comprehensive peace deal, the Geneva agreement represents the first tangible diplomatic progress in over a year and offers a potential window for further talks on prisoner exchanges, humanitarian access, and confidence-building measures. The coming weeks will test whether both sides can maintain discipline and whether the fragile truce can evolve into a broader path toward resolution. Live updates and official statements remain available through UN and Swiss government channels.