Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that the next round of peace talks will take place in Switzerland. He emphasized that the venue is important because the war is happening in Europe.
Kremlin special representative Kirill Dmitriev stated that the US will lift sanctions against Russia, as they have cost American businesses over $300 billion. He claims that the portfolio of potential US-Russian projects amounts to over $14 trillion.
Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson called on Europe to truly support Ukraine by providing it with all weapons, including long-range missiles. He emphasized the need to stop Russia's "shadow fleet" activities and unfreeze Russian assets.
On the night of February 19, the Russian city of Velikiye Luki was subjected to a drone attack. As a result of the strikes, an oil depot located near a railway junction caught fire.
President Zelenskyy expressed doubts that negotiating teams can resolve territorial issues between Ukraine and Russia. According to him, a peace agreement must be approved by the Ukrainian people.
Israel has declared the highest state of alert, preparing for a possible war. Officials consider a US strike on Iran, which Israel would join, to be imminent.
In the Kharkiv region, freezing rain and wet snow are observed, and there is ice on the roads. All services have been put on high alert, 74 units of special equipment have been involved in eliminating the consequences.
The Interpol General Secretariat has granted Ukraine the ability to upload information about cultural property stolen during the occupation. Hundreds of objects, including exhibits from Kherson museums, have already been added to the international database.
The latest round of talks on ending the war in Ukraine brought no significant progress. The idea of a demilitarized zone in eastern Ukraine, not controlled by either army, is being discussed.
The National Bank of Ukraine set the official exchange rate for the dollar on February 18 at UAH 43. 26, which is 9 kopecks more than the day before. The euro exchange rate is UAH 51.17, an increase of 1 kopeck.
On February 17, Russian troops lost 740 soldiers and 1851 UAVs. The total combat losses of the enemy from 24.02.22 to 18.02.26 amount to 1,256,080 personnel.
US President's Special Envoy Steve Vitkoff announced significant progress after the first day of trilateral talks in Geneva. Both sides agreed to inform their leaders and continue working towards reaching an agreement.
On the night of February 18, several regions of Russia were subjected to air attacks. In Belgorod, a substation was likely hit, and in Cheboksary, an energy facility was attacked.
On February 18, most of Ukraine is expected to experience a drop in temperature, significant precipitation, and black ice. Temperatures will range from -17°C to +2°C, and up to -10°C in Kyiv.
According to foreign intelligence, the Kremlin plans to create an interdepartmental group to promote "traditional values" in the Russian information space. This includes banning films that discredit these values and introducing new subjects in schools.
An AboutPeople poll showed that 22% of Europeans consider dictatorship better than democracy in certain cases. 26% support a leader who restricts democratic rights.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy believes that a face-to-face meeting with Putin is the best way to resolve the territorial issue. He instructed his team to organize such a meeting in Geneva.
During negotiations with the US in Oman, the Iranian delegation proposed transferring part of its highly enriched uranium to Russia and suspending enrichment for several years. This was done to advance nuclear talks and avoid an attack by the US.
In temporarily occupied Crimea, mobile communication and the internet regularly disappear for hours, sometimes for several days. Subscribers of all major Russian operators report interruptions, but the full tariff fees are still charged.
The Congress of Peru voted to remove interim head of state José Geri. The impeachment was supported by 75 parliamentarians, 24 were against, and three abstained.
Rustem Umerov met with representatives of the USA, France, Great Britain, Germany, Italy, and Switzerland. The parties discussed the results of the negotiations and synchronized approaches for further steps.
As a result of the Russian shelling of Zaporizhzhia, 7 people were injured, including two children. A 48-year-old woman died, and two nine-story buildings were damaged.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi announced progress in talks with the United States in Geneva, but a deal on Tehran's nuclear program is not yet close. Both sides have issues to work on, although discussions were serious and constructive.
According to journalist Barak Ravid, negotiations in the political group in Geneva today "stalled. " According to sources, the reason was the positions presented by Russia's new chief negotiator, Vladimir Medinsky.
As a result of Russian UAV attacks on Sumy region, the number of victims has increased to 11 people. One 28-year-old woman remains in the hospital, while others are receiving outpatient treatment.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with Ukrainian skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych and his father. The Head of State presented Heraskevych with the Order of Liberty, thanking him for his stance, strength, and courage.
On February 13, Russian troops lost 1070 soldiers and 914 UAVs. The total combat losses of the enemy from 24.02.22 to 12.02.26 amount to over 1.2 million personnel.
The Hungarian government believes that Ukraine's rapid accession to the EU threatens the bloc with war with Russia and will harm the economy. Prime Minister Orbán sharply attacked Zelenskyy over his statement about Ukraine's readiness to join by 2027.
In Odesa, the body of a woman born in 1950 was found under the rubble of a destroyed private house. The blast wave damaged windows in neighboring homes.
On Saturday, February 14, most of Ukraine is expected to experience rain and wet snow. Daytime temperatures will reach up to +5°, and up to +12° in Zakarpattia and the south.
