Italy
Donald Trump appealed to China and NATO for help in opening the strait. Most countries refrained from sending ships due to the active war.
At the capital's military cemetery, a farewell ceremony was held for Rodrigo Oliveira, a fighter of the HUR Legion. The warrior from Brazil died in battle near Stepnohirsk in Zaporizhzhia.
Giorgia Meloni's government is exploring the possibility of building reactors to lower electricity prices. The authorities are already consulting with international partners and experts.
The Czech Minister of Culture supported the boycott of the Russian Federation due to aggression against Ukraine. 22 European ministers have already joined Latvia's initiative to prevent the aggressor from participating.
The global electric car market shows growth in Europe and a significant decline in the US. Total sales for the first two months of 2026 decreased by 8 percent.
The six largest EU economies are calling for an accelerated introduction of the digital euro and the creation of their own payment infrastructure. This is intended to strengthen the bloc's strategic autonomy and stimulate economic growth.
A drone attacked an Italian base in Erbil, damaging equipment but causing no casualties among personnel. The military managed to take cover in bunkers before the strike.
The European Union revised its decision after Georgia's commitments not to service sanctioned vessels. Kulevi Port avoided restrictions thanks to guarantees.
UNN has prepared a selection of films about women's courage and self-realization. The plots cover the journey from working at NASA to fighting for environmental justice.
The Ukrainian team boycotted the opening due to the admission of Russians, but the flag was carried. Spectators booed the Russian delegation, and Ukraine has already won its first gold.
Claude's daily downloads in the US reached 149,000, surpassing ChatGPT. Its active audience grew by 183% after Anthropic rejected a deal with the US government.
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.