NATO
Ukraine's president has said that the country needs protection while waiting to join NATO. Among the options are nuclear weapons, missile systems, or a contingent of other countries' military.
Ukraine maintains communication with the Trump team on possible terms of cooperation. The exchange of rare earth metals for US aid is being discussed.
Jens Stoltenberg has been appointed Minister of Finance of Norway in the new government. The appointment follows the Center Party's withdrawal from the government over disputes over EU energy directives.
EU leaders support Denmark's territorial integrity and oppose US plans for Greenland. NATO proposes to increase its military presence in the Arctic region with the participation of its northern allies.
Mark Rutte called Trump's interest in Greenland logical and called for a stronger NATO presence in the far north. Denmark once again reminded that Greenland is not for sale, and most locals are against joining the United States.
Russia is considering Saudi Arabia and the UAE as possible locations for a summit between Trump and Putin. Both countries are not members of the International Criminal Court.
Polish President Duda said that his country should participate in negotiations on Ukraine if they are initiated by Trump. He also expressed concern about a possible increase in crime after the war.
The number of German army personnel decreased to 181,150 at the end of the year. The reduction affected mainly temporary military personnel, while the number of professional soldiers increased.
The President of Ukraine said that Trump could force Putin to peace through tough sanctions against Russia's banking system and energy sector. Zelenskyy emphasized the importance of continuing to support the Armed Forces and obtaining security guarantees.
Zelenskiy said that Putin is avoiding real negotiations with Ukraine by insisting on war with the West. The Russian dictator is trying to present the conflict as a confrontation with NATO, not Ukraine.
Mark Rutte said that a peace agreement with Russia must be sustainable and prevent further aggression. The NATO Secretary General has a secret plan for the negotiations, but does not disclose the details.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte announced a significant increase in defense spending by the Alliance. He supported Trump's position on the need to increase military investment and called on Germany to increase its defense budget.
The President of Ukraine said that NATO membership is the cheapest option for security guarantees for allies. Zelenskyy emphasized that Ukraine's 800,000-strong army would be a bonus for the Alliance.
The Flemish nationalist party N-VA will form the new government of Belgium along with four other parties. It is expected that N-VA leader Bart De Wever will become Prime Minister of the center-right cabinet.
Ukraine has joined the Confédération Interalliée des Officiers de Réserve (CIOR) as an associate member. The decision was unanimously supported by the heads of national associations of reserve officers of NATO countries.
The Dutch Ministry of Defense will train 26 Ukrainian F-16 crew chiefs until the end of April. The technicians will be responsible for inspecting and maintaining the fighters before and after flights.
The Center for Countering Disinformation has denied the information that Russia is developing a new version of the Iskander with a range of 1,000 kilometers. Reports about this in the English-language media are a deliberate disinformation campaign.
19 EU member states have asked the European Investment Bank to increase defense funding. The countries propose to expand the list of authorized activities and issue “defense bonds.
NATO is considering a significant increase in its military presence in the Arctic region. The new defense plans for 2023 envisage strengthening the deterrence potential in the Far North.
The scientific director of the Valdai Club revealed the Kremlin's position on the upcoming negotiations with the United States. Russia does not intend to make territorial concessions in Ukraine and will try to position Putin as an equal to Trump.
An explosion occurred at the Rheinmetall Expal Munitions plant, injuring six people. Five were hospitalized, and two fires broke out at the plant, which have been extinguished.
The Hill has published a forecast stating that without US military support, Ukraine will lose effective air defense by 2026. This will allow Russia to carry out large-scale bombings and capture Kyiv.
The President of the European Council announced the readiness of NATO member states in the EU to increase defense spending by more than 2% of GDP. Since 2022, military spending has already increased by 30%.
Lithuania, Estonia, Latvia, and Poland call on the EU to increase military spending to 3% of GDP. The countries propose to use joint borrowing and allocate 50 billion euros for the production of artillery.
The European partners demand that the Healthcare and Defense Departments work effectively and with full management. Deputy Prime Minister Stefanishyna emphasized the importance of fulfilling commitments and avoiding aggressive communication.
50. 2% of Poles believe that Ukraine will not be able to join the EU and NATO without resolving the issue of exhumation of the victims of the Volyn tragedy. Most supporters of this position are oppositionists and middle-aged people.
Pro-Russian candidate Kelin Georgescu called Ukraine a “fictitious state” and claimed its territory. He believes that after the war, Ukraine will be divided between neighboring countries.
Ukraine's Foreign Minister Sibiga will participate in an expanded meeting of the seven leading foreign ministers in Paris on February 12.
Denmark turned to France for help because of concerns about US territorial claims to Greenland. The French Foreign Minister confirmed his readiness to provide military support at Denmark's request.
NATO's deputy assistant secretary general confirms information about a Russian scheme to assassinate Rheinmetall CEO Armin Papperger. Russia was planning to assassinate defense industry executives across Europe.