The opening ceremony of the 2026 Paralympic Games took place in Verona. For the first time since 2014, the Russian delegation marched with a flag, carried by an Italian volunteer. The Ukrainian team will miss the opening due to the admission of Russian and Belarusian athletes.
Due to the war in the Middle East and the escalation around Iran, fuel prices in Europe have risen. The highest prices are recorded in the Netherlands, where gasoline costs 2.19 euros per liter.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy discussed with Giorgia Meloni the situation around Iran, challenges in the oil and fuel market. They also talked about a 90 billion euro loan for Ukraine and the situation with the Paralympic Games.
European countries are working to strengthen Cyprus's defense after a drone attack on a British airbase. France, Italy, and Greece will coordinate the deployment of military forces in Cyprus and the Eastern Mediterranean.
The European Union will appeal to international partners for additional funding for Ukraine to cover a €30 billion deficit. Hungary is blocking a €90 billion EU aid package due to a dispute over oil supplies.
In 2025, the volume of domestic transfers through payment systems amounted to UAH 1. 3 trillion. $2.5 billion was received in Ukraine, mainly from the USA, Germany, and Israel.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has appointed Ihor Brusylo as Ukraine's Ambassador to Italy. Prior to this, Brusylo served as Deputy Head of the President's Office and had experience working in Italy.
11 countries and the EU have decided to boycott the opening of the Paralympic Games in Italy due to the admission of Russian and Belarusian athletes with their flags and anthems.
According to him, Ukraine, as Europe's de facto defense line, is ready to share practical experience and technologies for countering drones with allies and called for it. The President also called for investment in Ukrainian unmanned solutions.
The International Paralympic Committee did not allow the Ukrainian national team to use a uniform with a map of Ukraine within the 1991 borders. Because of this, the team will perform in a different kit, which was urgently delivered to Italy.
In February, President Zelenskyy held 31 international meetings and 11 phone calls, visited Munich, and hosted leaders of partner countries in Kyiv.
Ukraine may receive Italian SIDAM-25 self-propelled anti-aircraft systems to combat kamikaze drones. These systems are based on the M113 armored personnel carrier chassis and are equipped with four 25mm cannons.
In Milan, a tram derailed, crashed into a building, and overturned, resulting in the deaths of two people and injuries to 39. The tram driver, who had significant experience, claims he felt unwell at the wheel.
Donetsk Shakhtar will play against Polish Lech in the Round of 16 of the Conference League. The first match will take place on March 12, and the return leg on March 19.
In January 2026, the Renault Clio became the bestseller in the European new car market, selling 14,660 units. This was due to the hybrid version and an increase in corporate sales in France and Italy.
Italian police have arrested four people on suspicion of a Camorra conspiracy to infiltrate a Naples hospital, stage accidents for insurance payouts, and illegally remove corpses. The investigation uncovered a network of criminal activity by the Contini clan at San Giovanni Bosco Hospital.
Northern European countries are on high alert due to a perceived "acute" threat to energy infrastructure. An attacker, likely linked to a foreign state, is threatening the energy grid.
The US introduced new import tariffs at the end of February 2026. Ukraine was among the countries in the EBRD region that experienced the largest increase in tariffs.
President Zelenskyy met with U4U MEPs. They discussed the restoration of Ukraine's energy system and the scaling up of the PURL program.
Eight countries and the EU will boycott the opening ceremony of the 2026 Paralympic Games due to the admission of Russians and Belarusians. Ukrainian diplomats are working to increase the number of such states.
The Finnish Paralympic Committee refused to participate in the opening ceremonies of the 2026 Paralympics. This decision is a protest against the return of Russian and Belarusian athletes to competitions under national symbols.
G7 leaders reaffirmed their support for Ukraine and Trump's peace efforts. They also welcomed assistance to Ukraine for getting through the winter.
The XXV Winter Olympic Games 2026 have concluded, with Ukraine represented by 46 athletes, achieving eight top-10 finishes. The closing ceremony took place in Verona, Milan, and Cortina d'Ampezzo.
In Assisi, Italy, on the occasion of the 800th anniversary of the death of Saint Francis, his remains were displayed for veneration. Around 400,000 people have booked a place to see the relic by March 22.
Dmytro Kotovskyi and Anhelina Brykina, freestyle skiers, represented Ukraine at the closing ceremony of the 2026 Winter Games in Italy. Approximately 1,500 Olympians marched together, symbolizing friendship and unity.
The US men's hockey team won gold at the Milan Cortina Olympics, defeating Canada 2-1 in overtime. Jack Hughes scored the game-winning goal, securing the USA's third Olympic title.
In the Austrian Alps, five people died as a result of a series of avalanches due to heavy snowfall. Among the victims are a 42-year-old German and three skiers near the resort of St. Anton.
The Center for Countering Disinformation at the National Security and Defense Council has recorded a new wave of coordinated Russian attacks aimed at discrediting Ukrainian citizens in EU countries. Russian propaganda is using the 2026 Olympics to spread fabricated stories about refugee crimes.
Oleksandr Okipniuk took 10th place in the ski acrobatics final at the Olympic Games in Italy. He failed to make it to the super final, scoring 101 points.
A moderate eruption of the Canlaon volcano occurred on the Philippine island of Negros, lasting two minutes. A plume of smoke rose over 2000 meters, leading to an elevated alert level.
