War in Ukraine
Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Heorhiy Tykhyi stated that Russia is trying to sabotage the progress achieved in Abu Dhabi on military-political issues. Details of the negotiations are not being disclosed; Volodymyr Zelenskyy will present a full report.
Russia has classified key economic data, concealing the real level of poverty and the state of the economy. 168 tables were removed from statistical compilations, and 115 indicators stopped being updated in the Unified Interdepartmental Information and Statistical System (EMISS).
Ukrainian President Zelenskyy states that the Russian delegation is deadlocking negotiations to buy time for the Kremlin.
The Foreign Intelligence Service of Ukraine reports that the Kremlin uses passportization as a lever of influence in the occupied regions of Georgia. Support depends on the loyalty of local elites.
Kyrylo Budanov announced the completion of another round of negotiations in Geneva, calling it difficult but important. The next round is scheduled for the near future.
Business investments in solar generation will partially mitigate risks but will not solve problems for large consumers.
The Swiss Foreign Ministry announced its readiness to host a new round of talks on Ukraine. This followed the third round of negotiations in Geneva on February 17-18.
Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó stated that Russia has not attacked any EU country, and Ukraine is only defending itself. He added that the security of Hungary and other EU states is guaranteed by NATO.
Former Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Valerii Zaluzhnyi spoke about the failure of the 2023 counteroffensive due to a lack of resources and the SBU searches in 2022, which he regarded as an act of intimidation. He warned the President's Office about his readiness to call in military personnel to protect the command center.
Following the peace talks in Geneva between Ukraine, the US, and the Russian Federation, there is a principal agreement on the next meeting. Details and dates are not yet disclosed, but the parties have agreed to continue the dialogue.
Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó announced the cessation of diesel fuel supplies to Ukraine. This decision followed the suspension of oil transportation through the Druzhba pipeline.
A special legal regime, Defence City, has been launched in Ukraine to scale up defense production. However, the requirements for residents, particularly regarding the absence of criminal proceedings, raise questions and may hinder the industry's development.
Hungary and Slovakia have approached the European Commission regarding the possibility of purchasing Russian oil via sea routes. The Hungarian company MOL has already ordered the first batches, which are expected to arrive in early March.
The Slovak government has declared an emergency in the oil sector. This happened due to damage to the Druzhba oil pipeline in Ukraine, which led to the cessation of oil supplies.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha responded to Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó's statement, emphasizing that Budapest's position ignores the real price Ukraine is paying for Europe's security. Sybiha stressed that Ukraine is deterring Russian aggression, preventing it from spreading to other European countries.
Adviser to the President of Ukraine Dmytro Lytvyn denied information about disagreements or internal influence within the Ukrainian negotiating team. The President's Office noted that the negotiating team is united, and talk of "divisions" or "influences" is untrue.
The European Commission has confirmed contacts with Ukraine regarding the repair of the "Druzhba" oil pipeline, which is hindering the supply of Russian oil to Hungary and Slovakia. These countries have 90-day reserve stocks, which eliminates short-term risks to supply security.
The heads of two defense state enterprises organized a scheme of fictitious employment to secure mobilization deferrals. They demanded $12,000 for processing and deferral.
Another round of trilateral Ukraine-US-f negotiations took place in Geneva, described as intensive and substantive. The next stage is to coordinate decisions for consideration by the presidents, which should be real, not formal.
SBU counterintelligence exposed a 17-year-old Kharkiv resident who, on FSB's instructions, was manufacturing explosives for terrorist attacks in crowded places. She was detained while transporting a bomb, with ready-made devices and components seized.
The President of Ukraine reported that the political component of the negotiations on ending the war remains difficult. The parties agreed to continue the dialogue, but without significant progress on the political front.
An explosion occurred at the Kolomyia District TCC at 01:15, classified by the SBU as a terrorist act. There were no casualties, and the building was damaged.
The President of Ukraine reported significant progress in the military aspect of the negotiations on ending the war. The military agreed on approaches to monitoring the ceasefire, provided there is political will.
Odesa and the region are without electricity, heat, and water after a devastating shelling of the energy system. Energy workers are working around the clock to gradually restore power supply; 60.5 thousand families already have electricity.
The SBU detained a Russian agent who was preparing new missile strikes on thermal power plants in the capital region. The perpetrator was collecting information on the technical condition of the thermal power plants after the previous shelling.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that he expects a detailed report on the results of all meetings in Geneva. The priority is security guarantees for Ukraine, and Ukrainian representatives have clear directives.
Russian occupiers continue their offensive on Hryshyne, but the Defense Forces are detecting and destroying the enemy. The eastern part of the settlement has been cleared, and about 10 occupiers have been eliminated.
Negotiations involving Ukraine, the US, and Russia in Geneva have concluded. The work of the political and military groups lasted approximately two hours.
The talks in Geneva involving Ukraine, the US, and Russia lasted about two hours. The head of the Russian delegation called them "difficult but businesslike," and a new meeting will take place "in the near future."
President Zelenskyy held a meeting with Ukrainian negotiators before the second day of talks in Geneva. He noted that Russia is trying to prolong the negotiations and set the task of making them productive.