This week, Russia and Ukraine conclude peace talks unsuccessfully in Geneva. A ceasefire begins in eastern DRC. Nigerian president pledges renewed support for South Sudan peace process.
Russia and Ukraine Conclude Peace Talks Unsuccessfully in Geneva
On February 18, Russia and Ukraine concluded two days of unsuccessful peace talks in Geneva, Switzerland. A Ukrainian diplomatic source said that some progress was made on military issues, however, both Russia’s chief negotiator and Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelensky indicated that the talks had been “difficult.”
Zelensky accused Russia of “trying to drag out” the peace process. He noted that the most contentious issues were the status of Russian-occupied territories in eastern Ukraine, and the future of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, which Russia currently controls.
Russia’s chief negotiator, Vladimir Medinsky, said the talks were “difficult but businesslike,” and that further rounds were planned.
A Ceasefire Begins in Eastern DRC
A ceasefire began in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) on February 18, based on the US-brokered peace deal signed in late 2025, in Washington DC between the DRC and Rwanda.
DRC foreign minister Therese Kayikwamba Wagner attended the Munich Security Conference 2026, which took place from February 13 to 15. In an exclusive interview for DW, she said, “It’s not the first attempt. We will do everything to fulfill our commitments and hope the other side does the same.”
The UN accuses Rwanda of supporting the M23 rebels in DRC, a charge Kigali denies. Rwandan President Paul Kagame did not attend the conference, however, he said “The conflict parties are M23 and the government of DR Congo. Rwanda is not a warring party.”
However, the same day the ceasefire began, Channel Africa reported that fighting between the rebels and DRC forces was continuing in villages in South Kivu province.
Nigerian President Pledges Renewed Support for South Sudan Peace Process
Nigerian president Bola Tinubu is speaking out in support of the provisions of the revitalised agreement on the resolution of the conflict in South Sudan.
On February 15, Tinubu said, “We wish to specifically call on the government to consider the immediate and unconditional release from detention of the vice-president and other key opposition figures. It is also imperative to convene an all-inclusive South Sudan national dialogue and reconciliation forum. We call on all parties to engage constructively with authorities in the mediation process without preconditions.”
Tinubu added that the recent launch of the Regional Partnership for Democracy by Nigeria in collaboration with development partners was part of the country’s contribution to the resolution of the conflict in South Sudan and beyond.
This development comes as funding cuts are weakening desperately needed peacekeeping work in South Sudan. On February 10, UN peacekeeping chief Jean-Pierre Lacroix said cost-cutting measures have already reduced protection patrols by up to 40 percent in some areas, and as much as 70 percent where bases have closed. In Jonglei state, violence between Government forces and opposition elements has displaced more than 280,000 people, according to government sources.
After the country experienced a civil war in 2013 which killed over 400,000 people, South Sudan’s fragile peace has been deteriorating since 2025, despite a peace agreement signed in 2018. Amnesty International on May 28, 2025 reported that violence had killed 180 people between March and mid-April 2025 amid deepening divisions between President Salva Kiir and First Vice President Riek Machar. On September 21 2025, at least 48 people were killed and over 152 injured in fighting between South Sudan’s army and opposition forces in Burebiey.
Keywords: Ukraine, Russia, Congo, DRC, South Sudan, peace process, ceasefire, peace, conflict, conflict resolution
Tara Abhasakun
Tara Abhasakun is Peace News Network (PNN)'s managing editor. She is journalist based in Christchurch, New Zealand, and formerly in Bangkok, Thailand. She has reported on a range of human rights issues involving youth protests in Thailand, as well as arts and culture. Tara's work has appeared in several outlets, including Al Jazeera and South China Morning Post.
