Geneva, Switzerland - February 18, 2026 - Trilateral talks between Russia, Ukraine, and the United States resumed in Geneva on Tuesday, as the four-year anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine approached, according to Al Jazeera. While vague references to progress were made, no tangible outcomes were immediately shared. Meanwhile, in other international developments, the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) announced that Russian athletes would be allowed to compete under their own flag at the upcoming Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Games, marking the first time since 2014, as reported by Sky News.
The talks in Geneva, which entered their second day, involved delegates from Russia, Ukraine, and the United States. Al Jazeera reported that the meeting took place amid the ongoing conflict, with the Ukrainian delegation awaiting the start of the discussions. The IPC's decision to allow Russian athletes to compete followed two previous bans, first in 2016 due to a state-sponsored doping scheme and then in 2022 due to the invasion of Ukraine, according to Sky News. The IPC granted Russia's National Paralympic Committee six slots in the upcoming games.
In other news, a Real Madrid Champions League match against Benfica was halted for 11 minutes after Vinicius Junior reported a racial slur from a Benfica player, Sky News reported. The incident occurred shortly after Vinicius gave Real Madrid a 1-0 lead. Additionally, US forces struck three alleged drug smuggling boats in the Pacific and Caribbean, resulting in the deaths of 11 people, according to Sky News. The US Southern Command confirmed the operations, stating that intelligence indicated the vessels were involved in narco-trafficking.
In Gaza City, residents prepared for Ramadan amid economic hardship and the aftermath of war, Euronews reported. Residents visited markets to purchase supplies, navigating streets lined with rubble. Several residents noted that rising prices, a lack of cash, and widespread destruction had significantly altered the atmosphere compared to previous years.
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