Ukraine: The Latest

Episode: Ukraine ‘scales up offensives’ near Pokrovsk & third round of US-Ukraine-Russia peace talks begin in Geneva
Date: February 17, 2026
Host: Francis Durnley, The Telegraph
Guests: Dominic Nichols, Joe Barnes, Nikita Zubenko, Artur Podsoka; Student leaders from the Ukrainian Students Union

Episode Overview

This episode explores two central themes:

1. The Military and Diplomatic Situation—including the escalation of fighting near Pokrovsk and updates from the trilateral Geneva peace talks between the US, Ukraine, and Russia.
2. The Next Generation of Ukrainians—a special focus on Ukrainian youth voices, their hopes, concerns, and the pivotal role they are seeking (and demanding) in their country's future and in current diplomatic debates.

Journalists on the ground provide real-time analysis, while youth leaders and student organizers share firsthand perspectives on how the war continues to shape their decisions, activism, and vision for Ukraine’s recovery and security.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Military Update: Escalation Before Geneva Talks

• Russian Aerial Attacks:

  • On the eve of the Geneva peace talks, Russia launched a significant aerial assault with missiles and drones across Ukraine.
  • Ukraine’s air defense intercepted the majority: "Amazingly... this resulted in only one death and 25 injured. Ukraine's air defences say they intercepted all of the cruise missiles and 367 of the drones."
    — Dominic Nichols, [03:23]

• Situation in Pokrovsk:

  • Russian forces have "scaled up their offensives north of Pokrovsk," intensifying attempts to encircle key cities, though Ukrainian forces maintain resistance and deny Russia a breakthrough.

• Ukrainian Strikes Inside Russia:

  • Ukrainian drones targeted the Ilsky oil refinery and other sites deep in Russian territory, including Tatarstan—demonstrating Kyiv’s continued capacity to strike at logistical targets.

• Precision Weapons & "Precision" in War:

  • In-depth discussion on the limitations and legal implications of modern weapon accuracy (CEP, circular error probable).
  • Not all “precision strikes” are as clean or discriminate as politicians might hope or claim.
    • Quote: “When we talk about CEP, we’re only talking about 50% of the weapons. A CEP that could be 5 meters—that means that 50% of the weapons will land within that 5 meter radius. The other 50% will land outside it… So think about the collateral damage that is possible.”
      — Dominic Nichols, [09:17]

2. Diplomacy and the Geneva Peace Talks

• Geneva Negotiation Atmosphere:

  • Joe Barnes (on location) describes the scene at the Intercontinental Hotel: Americans and Ukrainians socializing before Russians arrive with “loud sirens, a big motorcade.”
  • Talks are somewhat fluid in schedule and seem to begin with bilateral (US-Ukraine) discussions before trilateral engagement.

• Ukraine's Position:

  • President Zelenskyy calls for "realistic US proposals" and insists on strong, unconditional security guarantees; Russia continues to reject these.
  • Ukrainian diplomatic circles are bracing for “bluster” on the first day, with hope for substantive discussion in subsequent sessions.

• Europe’s Energy and Sanctions Dynamics:

  • Croatia refuses to transport Russian oil to Hungary and Slovakia after a pipeline was damaged in Ukraine, risking broader energy disputes within the EU.
  • Ongoing concerns about the effectiveness of sanctions—Germany and Italy, in particular, are cited for continued trade patterns via Central Asian intermediaries.

• Ukrainian Anti-Corruption Efforts:

  • Former Energy Minister detained leaving Ukraine, as another corruption scandal unfolds.
  • New initiatives: Ukraine’s economic police launch a Telegram bot for citizens to report illegal fuel traders.

3. Ukrainian Youth Voices: "The Next Generation"

Introduction to Young Ukrainian Leaders

• Nikita Zubenko — Co-founder, Headquarters of Future:

  • A network uniting over 30 Ukrainian youth organizations abroad.
  • Focus: Amplifying pro-Ukrainian sentiment and channeling youthful energy towards support initiatives in host countries.

• Artur Podsoka — Founder, UA Youth UK:

  • Aims to educate the British public about Ukrainian culture/history and foster socio-political engagement amongst Ukrainian youth in the UK.
  • Emphasis on keeping displaced youth connected to Ukraine and preparing them to help rebuild.

The Open Letter and Its Demands

• Ukrainian youth organizations have co-authored and signed a letter to policymakers insisting that:

  • Any peace agreement must not permanently bar Ukraine from NATO membership.
  • European leaders must intensify their diplomatic and security guarantees, beyond current US leadership.
  • Youth voices must be included in negotiation processes.

• Quote: "This is a call from Ukrainian young people to say that we know what's happening, we know what's at stake and we are very certain that this is important for the rest of our lives."
  — Nikita Zubenko, [25:12]

• Quote: “We are the ones who will live in the next generation. We want to be safe, we want to be protected, because we want our generation to be the last one to experience war in Europe.”
  — Artur Podsoka, [26:22]

Mobilization, Political Responsibility, and Agency

• Discussion about controversial proposals to lower the military mobilization age from 25.
  • Many young Ukrainians weigh the imperative to return and serve vs. contributing abroad in specialized fields.
  • Zubenko: The 18-25 “window” is often spent acquiring skills—military, technological, or in defense tech collectives—so they can be more effective when called.
  • Podsoka: If conscripted, “Morally, I don’t have a choice...it would be hypocritical of me to advocate for Ukraine from abroad and refuse to go if called.” ([31:31])

Outlook for Peace and the Future

• Mixed optimism: Most feel that without sustained Western leverage, any Russian promise is unreliable ("they’re likely to pause and return in five years").
• The challenge for youth: Planning a future, whether to build a life abroad or return to rebuild Ukraine, is paralyzed by the war’s uncertain duration.
  • Quote: "It’s very difficult to decide your own future and your relationship with your country when you don’t know what that future looks like."
    — Francis Durnley, [33:41]
  • Podsoka notes legal uncertainty—temporary protections in the UK, limited options for residency—complicates decisions for displaced youth.

4. Ukrainian Students in Europe: Conference in Cambridge

A special segment features interviews with leaders of Ukrainian student organizations in the UK and France, including:

• Danila Kifrov (Ukrainian Students Union, UK)
• Anna Bazarna (Ukrainian Students in France)
• Diana Shapovich (Cambridge University Ukrainian Society)

Key Takeaways:

• Origins & Growth:

  • Ukrainian student societies flourished after the full-scale invasion, providing cultural, social, and career support for thousands.
  • “At the moment... we have 51 member societies [and] 2,000 current Ukrainian students across 51 universities.”
    — Danila Kifrov, [39:28]

• Aims:

  • Promoting Ukrainian culture and awareness in host countries.
  • Networking and career opportunities—internships in the European Parliament, Council of Europe, partner think tanks.
  • Advocacy: E.g., meetings with UK government re: tuition and visa issues.

• Changing Engagement:

  • “Among students, interest is waning...but academics remain engaged.”
    — Diana Shapovich, [42:35]

• Integration vs. Return:

  • Most want to contribute to Ukraine’s future, but are split—some plan to return, others believe they can serve best as “ambassadors” abroad.
  • Example: Cambridge students working on nuclear deterrence modeling; others focusing on mental health for war-affected children.

• Support Mechanisms:

  • Societies provide vital social support, trauma-processing, and mental health resources—particularly acute as most students have lost someone to the war.

Memorable Quote:

• "Having hope involves having responsibility. Because if you believe that something can be better...then we have the responsibility to act on it and do whatever we can, small or big, to contribute."
  — Diana Shapovich, [53:27]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the murkiness of “precision” in modern warfare

  • “That term of CEP does allow for a lot of outcomes you really wouldn’t want, but it still comes under ‘we used a precision weapon and it functioned as advertised’.”
    — Dominic Nichols, [10:38]

• Youth leadership on NATO and Peace

  • "The prospects of becoming a NATO member is the strongest security guarantee...for any peace deal."
    — Artur Podsoka, [26:12]

• On moral responsibility and conscription

  • “I do have a choice legally, but I don’t have a moral choice because it would be hypocritical of me, you know, if I advocate for Ukraine from abroad.”
    — Artur Podsoka, [31:30]

• On balancing optimism and reality

  • “It’s always important to be optimistic, but also realistic and always keep track of what is going on and don’t dream too much of things which cannot be implemented.”
    — Anna Bazarna, [52:46]

Key Timestamps for Important Segments

| Timestamp | Segment Description | |:----------|:------------------------------------------------------| | [02:59] | Military update: Russian strikes, Pokrovsk situation | | [08:42] | Legalities & realities of "precision" weapons | | [13:03] | Geneva talks—on the ground update by Joe Barnes | | [22:41] | Youth organizations: missions and impact | | [25:12] | The open letter: youth demands for peace & security | | [27:45] | Young Ukrainians on mobilization and service | | [32:42] | Will there be peace? Youth perspectives | | [38:01] | Cambridge: Ukrainian Student Union interviews | | [46:18] | Do students plan to return or build new lives abroad? | | [50:10] | Student societies’ support for war-affected students | | [52:46] | Hopes and realism for the future |

Conclusion

This episode captures the tense intersection of ongoing military struggle, elusive peace negotiations, and the urgent, often overlooked, aspirations of Ukraine’s youth.
By centering young voices—with clear, candid discussions on everything from battlefield innovation to trauma, activism, and the complexities of diaspora life—the episode delivers a moving and nuanced perspective on what’s at stake for an entire generation.

Final Thought:
“We are the ones who will live in the next generation. We want our generation to be the last one to experience war in Europe.” — Artur Podsoka, [26:22]