War in Ukraine
Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski stated that Europe's financing of Ukraine's defense gives the continent the right to participate in peace negotiations. Europe has already spent over 200 billion euros to support Ukraine.
Large-scale NATO exercises in Estonia revealed serious tactical shortcomings in intense drone warfare. Ukrainian drone specialists simulated the destruction of 17 NATO armored vehicles.
Five Ukrainian children, aged 4 to 15, have returned from the occupied territories and the Russian Federation. In total, 1985 children have been returned to their homeland since the beginning of the full-scale invasion.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is in talks with French President Emmanuel Macron regarding a joint European nuclear deterrent. This comes amid discussions in Europe about its own nuclear capabilities for the first time since the Cold War.
A POLITICO poll showed that the majority of residents in France and Germany do not support sending peacekeepers to Ukraine. In Germany, 53% are against it, and in France, 43% do not support the deployment of troops.
Ukraine expects official approval of a new $8. 2 billion IMF program in the coming weeks. This agreement will replace the existing credit facility and help maintain economic stability.
Friedrich Merz stated that Germany is doing everything for peace in Ukraine, providing leading support, especially in air defense. The country is launching large-scale projects in air defense and high-precision weapons.
The President of Ukraine established the Interdepartmental Commission on Military-Industrial Policy and Defense Technologies under the National Security and Defense Council. Its task is to combine state decisions, front-line needs, and manufacturers' capabilities to strengthen defense capabilities.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte stated that Russia is suffering heavy losses in Ukraine and is advancing at the pace of a garden snail. He called on NATO to continue supporting Ukraine and not to succumb to Russian propaganda.
Four people were killed and two wounded in Russia's night attack on Kramatorsk. Among the dead are an 8-year-old boy and his 19-year-old brothers.
President Zelenskyy emphasized the need for a strong European defense industry in partnership with the United States. Ukraine is ready to share its experience in defensive warfare and participate in joint projects.
Agribusinessman Serhiy Tarasov may face new charges for embezzling 1,500 hectares of land.
Vladyslav Heraskevych commented on the court hearing regarding the appeal of his disqualification at the Olympics. The athlete stated that the International Olympic Committee disqualified not him, but Ukraine.
The Ukrainian Defense Forces struck the Nebo-U radar in Crimea, areas where UAV operators were concentrated, and a logistics warehouse in the occupied territories. This happened on February 13 as part of systemic measures to reduce the aggressor's offensive potential.
In Chernihiv region, a 41-year-old criminal boss was detained for beating and threatening with a knife a 70-year-old man, the father of a fallen defender. The perpetrator faces up to seven years in prison.
The Ukrainian delegation has begun preparations for trilateral talks with the US and Russia in Geneva on February 17-18. Its members include Rustem Umerov, Kyrylo Budanov, Andriy Hnatov, David Arakhamia, Serhiy Kyslytsia, and Vadym Skibitskyi.
Minister of Education Oksen Lisovyi announced that teachers in six communities did not receive their salary supplements due to technical reasons. The problem will be resolved at the community level in the near future.
President Zelenskyy received the first attack drone manufactured at a German-Ukrainian enterprise in Germany. This year, 10,000 such drones will strengthen the Ukrainian army.
Presidential Communications Advisor Dmytro Lytvyn confirmed the Ukrainian delegation's preparation for the next round of talks. Lengthy negotiations involving Ukraine, the US, and Russia are scheduled to take place in Geneva on February 17-18.
The SAP prosecutor sent an indictment to court against a group that seized UAH 128. 2 million allocated for the reconstruction of Kharkiv's infrastructure. Among the embezzled funds, UAH 22 million came from the World Bank.
Hungary's opposition Tisza party maintains a 10% lead over Prime Minister Orbán's Fidesz party in February. This is according to a poll conducted by the Idea Institute ahead of the April 12 parliamentary elections.
Ukraine and its partners are searching for Soviet-type power plants in Eastern Europe. This will allow them to obtain equipment for replacement at Ukrainian facilities.
The parliament is working on restoring open competitions for public positions, which were canceled due to martial law. This issue is relevant for obtaining 50 billion euros from the EU and preventing corruption.
Rostyslav Shurma, former deputy head of the President's Office, and his brother Oleh have been declared wanted. They are suspected of misappropriating property and legalizing criminal proceeds.
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Andriy Sybiha met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. China has decided to provide Ukraine with an additional package of humanitarian energy aid.
Vladyslav Heraskevych's expedited lawsuit against the IOC and IBSF has concluded. Legal arguments have been presented, and now it is up to the arbitrator to decide.
As a result of hostilities and shelling of energy infrastructure, consumers in 6 regions of Ukraine have been cut off from power. Heating supply disruptions have been recorded in Odesa, and hourly and emergency power outages are in effect in most regions.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed that another round of talks involving Ukraine, the US, and Russia will take place next week. The location and exact dates will be announced later.
The SBU detained a 24-year-old female contract soldier of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and her 25-year-old friend, who were part of an FSB agent network. They were preparing terrorist attacks with explosives in Kyiv and Zhytomyr, having set up an underground laboratory.
The United States and Taiwan have signed a trade agreement that provides for the reduction of customs duties and the expansion of access for American goods to Asian markets. Taiwan undertakes to purchase billions of dollars worth of American goods and invest in energy equipment.