Ukraine: The Latest

Host: Dom Nicholls

Episode: "Peace talks end in ‘acrimony’ after just two hours & Ukraine recaptures ‘most land since summer 2023’"

Date: February 18, 2026

Overview of Episode Theme

This episode dives into the abrupt breakdown of new peace talks between Russia and Ukraine in Geneva and examines the broader diplomatic, military, and domestic implications. The hosts and expert correspondents discuss the state of negotiations, interpret Kremlin maneuvering, the situation on the Ukrainian battlefield, and wider geopolitical developments—such as Azerbaijan’s pivot towards Ukraine and Russia's reaction to rising domestic tensions. The controversial decision by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) to allow Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete under their national flags at the Winter Paralympics also features, alongside updates from inside Russia.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Geneva Peace Talks – What Happened?

(03:07–11:18)

• Timeline: Talks began at 9:30am, ended after less than two hours. Both sides described discussions as “tough but businesslike”.
• Ukrainian take: Progress was seemingly limited to technical military aspects (e.g., ceasefire mechanics, withdrawal procedures), but political hurdles—mainly over Donbas's future and Russian territorial claims—remain insurmountable.
• Two parallel rooms:
  • Political discussions: Stalemate over Donbas, Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant, and security guarantees.
  • Military-technical discussions: Some agreement possible on mechanisms for ceasefire/withdrawal, but redundant without political breakthrough.
• Information truce: Both delegations agreed not to blame each other or leak details until consulting national leaders.
• Notable Quote:
  • "What is the use of a technical deal if we don’t have a political one?" — [Joe Barnes, 05:32]
  • "Mini information truce, that's the most positive thing… that is a sign of a grown up negotiation." — [Dom Nicholls, 11:04]

2. European Involvement: Are Allies in the Room or on the Sidelines?

(06:30–09:02)

• Contrary to social media rumors of Europeans forcing their way into negotiations, they were present by invitation, actively briefed but not making key decisions.
• Europeans are influential in the "secondary path"—providing input on security guarantees as they're primary actors in any potential deployment or post-conflict guarantees.

3. Russian Position and Kremlin Dynamics

(12:19–16:06)

• Putin’s envoy Medinsky headed Russia’s delegation—a signal the talks are not a first-tier Kremlin priority.
• Other high-level envoys present, suggesting some seriousness, but Kremlin media muted about outcomes.
• Russia continues to demand all Donbas territory, showing little real compromise.
• Ongoing information lockdown within Russia about sensitive topics, like the anniversary of Navalny’s death.

4. Life in Russia: Political and Social Underpinnings

(16:06–25:43)

• Navalny aftermath: Strict police control and near-zero press coverage for commemorations.
  • "It really shows the totalitarian nature of Russia, not that we need particular reminding..." — [James Kilner, 15:41]
• Cuba and the Kremlin: Russia using fuel and economic support as leverage in Cuba, risking new confrontation with the US.
• Telegram Ban: The Kremlin reportedly moving to block Telegram, Russia’s key communication tool—even as front-line troops depend on it.
  • "Knock it down is a massive play by the Kremlin… the stakes are so high…” — [James Kilner, 19:04]
• Cucumber inflation and economy: Surging cucumber prices are symptomatic of broader inflation and economic distress. 
  • "Apparently, cucumbers are an important vegetable in Russia… a symbol of Russian dachas and food and opulence." — [James Kilner, 22:21]
  • Russia's central bank is in a bind—struggling to balance inflation and growth as sanctions bite.

5. International Paralympic Committee (IPC) Decision

(25:55–32:48)

• Russian and Belarusian athletes permitted to compete under their own flags at Milan 2026, reversing years of bans due to doping and invasion.
• Ukrainian outrage at the decision; lack of clear rationale from IPC, especially with war ongoing.
  • “Why are they doing this? There's no logical justification for this… Anyone who says this brings the sides closer together—it's all guff.” — [Francis Durnley, 31:33]

6. Battlefield Update: Ukrainian Gains

(32:48–38:28)

• Territorial gains: Ukraine has recaptured the most ground since summer 2023—approx. 110 square kilometers in five days, leveraging Russian command disarray.
• Reasons for success: Disruption in Russian communications (Starlink shutdown, Telegram ban) has left isolated Russian units vulnerable.
  • "Ukraine is taking advantage of the confusion… mopping up small and disconnected groups of Russian troops." — [Dom Nicholls, 32:55]
• Potential OPSEC concerns: Unprecedented confusion on Russian side; public knowledge of troop movements may not be as damaging as before due to Russian communication breakdown.

7. Human Impact & Sanctions Updates

(25:55, 30:00)

• Children returns: 2,000 Ukrainian children returned from Russia; an estimated 35,000 still missing.
• Belarus sanctions: Ukraine increases sanctions on Lukashenko, citing use of Belarusian territory for Russian drone operations and attacks.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the peace talks’ futility:
  • "Surprise, surprise. Nothing came of it." — [Francis Durnley, 11:18]
• On Russia’s cucumber crisis and economic malaise:
  • "The price rise is linked to the strong winter, lack of labor in fields… and also this wider collapse of the Russian economy." — [James Kilner, 23:13]
• On the meaning of ‘mini information truce’:
  • “That is a sign of a grown-up negotiation, in my opinion.” — [Dom Nicholls, 11:04]
• On the enduring war:
  • "The war is continuing the whole time, as we're going to hear… in terms of the battlefield." — [Francis Durnley, 11:49]
• On the geopolitical shift in the Caucasus:
  • "Aliyev, President of Azerbaijan, meeting with Zelensky—remarkable sign Baku is drifting away from Putin…" — [James Kilner, 40:06]

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Segment | Timestamp | |--------------------------------------------------------|-------------| | Peace Talks Breakdown & Context | 03:07–11:18 | | European/US Roles in Negotiations | 06:30–09:02 | | Reaction from Ukraine, Russia | 11:18–16:06 | | Inside Russia: Navalny, Cuba, Telegram, Cucumbers | 16:06–25:43 | | IPC’s Controversial Decision (Paralympics) | 25:55–32:48 | | Ukrainian Military & Territorial Developments | 32:48–38:28 | | Sanctions & Abductions Update | 25:55, 30:00| | Geopolitical Developments in the Caucasus | 40:06–41:48 | | Final Thoughts from Panel | 41:48–43:59 |

Tone & Language Notes

• The episode maintains the analytical, informed, and sometimes wry tone typical of The Telegraph’s coverage:
  • Clear skepticism about the meaningfulness of the peace talks (“Surprise, surprise”).
  • Wry humor about cucumber inflation as symbol of Russia’s broader crisis.
  • Professional candor about the limited, technical progress at the negotiations.

Conclusion

This episode captures a moment where diplomatic theatrics, military realities, and the grinding impacts of war all intersect:

• Geneva talks reveal a deadlock mired in political impasse despite technical progress.
• On the battlefield, Ukraine exploits Russian vulnerabilities for rare territorial gains.
• Russia domestically lurches between economic strains and harsher information controls.
• Internationally, shifting alliances and controversial sporting decisions underscore broader uncertainty.

Further Information:

• For updates, visit The Telegraph’s Ukraine live blog and consider subscribing/listening to Ukrainian & Russian language versions.
• For those wishing to support humanitarian efforts, [Convoy for Ukraine](URL in Show Notes) welcomes donations and volunteers.