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26-02-2026
KYIV: On the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says Russia’s President Vladimir Putin has failed to achieve his “war goals”.
A number of European leaders, including European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Council President Antonio Costa, have arrived in Kyiv in a show of solidarity.
The latest peace talks took place in Geneva earlier this month in the latest of several attempts to end the deadliest fighting in Europe since World War II.
Ukrainian officials say infrastructure was damaged following overnight Russian strikes on Zaporizhzhia.
The World Bank has updated its cost estimate for Ukraine’s reconstruction, raising it to $588bn as of the end of last year from $524bn in its previous report.
Volker Turk, the UN human rights chief, says “civilian casualties have soared” as the world marks the fourth anniversary of the war.
“Russia’s systematic attacks on Ukraine’s energy and water infrastructure could amount to international crimes,” Turk said in Geneva. “The fighting needs to end, and I urge a focus on human rights and justice in any ceasefire or peace agreement.” Turk also stressed the need to “increase the cost of breaking international law”, urging countries to demonstrate a greater commitment to accountability for such violations.
“This includes strengthening the International Criminal Court and encouraging national prosecutions under the principle of universal jurisdiction.”
A joint statement by EU presidents has confirmed that “the European Union will continue to provide comprehensive political, financial, economic, humanitarian, military and diplomatic support to Ukraine and its people”.
“Russia has not achieved its military objectives in Ukraine,” the statement by the presidents of the European Parliament, European Council and the European Commission said.
“As Russia cannot advance on the battle ground, it deliberately targets Ukrainian civilian and critical infrastructure, including energy infrastructure, hospitals, schools and residential buildings in the midst of a severe winter.
“The European Union will continue to provide comprehensive political, financial, economic, humanitarian, military and diplomatic support to Ukraine and its people. In addition to the close to 200 billion euros ($236bn) of support since 2022, European leaders have agreed to provide to Ukraine 90 billion euros ($106bn) in 2026-27 to help ensuring that Ukraine can meet its urgent budgetary and defence needs and remain strong in the face of Russia’s attacks.”
Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) has accused France and the UK of preparing to secretly transfer nuclear weapons to Ukraine, according to reports shared by Russian state media.
The British and French authorities “want to display the transfer of nuclear weapons to Kyiv as if they are Ukraine’s own development”, TASS news agency said.
Russian State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin said France and the UK’s plans could lead to a nuclear war.
Peaceful settlement to war depends on Ukraine’s actions: Kremlin
Information about France and the UK’s intention to transfer a nuclear bomb to Ukraine is extremely important in the context of the conflict.
Russia hopes that work on the Ukraine negotiations will continue.
A peaceful settlement in Ukraine currently depends on the Kyiv government.
Russia remains open to achieving its objectives through diplomatic means. (Int’l Monitoring Desk)
