France releases suspected Russian shadow fleet tanker after huge fine, as Ukraine peace talks begin – as it happened

<p>Volodymyr Zelenskyy earlier called for ‘justice and strength’ in diplomacy after Russia hit Ukraine with 400 drones and 29 missiles hours before talks</p><p>The European Commission is just giving its daily midday press briefing, and i<strong>t has confirmed plans to adopt the new, 20th, round of sanctions against Russia by 24 February,</strong> the fourth anniversary of the full-scale invasion on Ukraine.</p><p>Foreign affairs spokesperson <strong>Anouar El Anouni</strong> said:</p><p><em>“<strong>We keep on working on measures to deprive Russia of the funds</strong>, goods and technologies sustaining its war against Ukraine. </em></p><p><em>This indeed includes the 20th package that you have mentioned, and <strong>indeed we aim to adopt it … by 24 February,</strong> as the High Representative [Kaja Kallas] mentioned at the last foreign affairs council. Member states are discussing it.”</em></p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2026/feb/17/ukraine-talks-geneva-russia-zelenskyy-putin-orban-rubio-latest-news-updates">Continue reading...</a>