Norway
The leaders of the Czech Republic, Finland, Germany, Norway, and Britain criticized Trump's statement calling Zelenskyy a “dictator without elections. ” The KIIS refuted Trump's words about Zelenskyy's 4% approval rating, pointing to 60% of Ukrainians' trust.
The Danish government is setting up a 50 billion kroner defense fund for the rapid purchase of military equipment. Defense spending in 2025-2026 will exceed 3% of the country's GDP, which is a record for the last 50 years.
A Lancet study found that life expectancy in Europe has stagnated since 2011 due to unhealthy lifestyles. The Covid-19 pandemic further reduced indicators in most European countries.
France organizes a second meeting on Ukraine and European security with the participation of new countries. Norway, Canada, the Baltic States, the Czech Republic, Greece, Finland, Romania, Sweden and Belgium are invited to the meeting.
In Dolynska, Kirovohrad region, a drone attacked a high-rise building, injuring a mother and two children. Residents of 38 apartments were evacuated, and Kropyvnytskyi district was also attacked.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk stated that the country does not plan to send troops to Ukraine. At the same time, Poland is to play a special role through close cooperation with Ukraine, the EU, the US and other partners.
Norway has officially joined an international coalition of drones to support Ukraine. Defense Minister Tore Onshuus Sandvik signed the agreement in the presence of his Latvian counterpart.
On February 16, Ukraine celebrates the Day of Military Journalist, honoring the memory of fallen media professionals. Also today, the world celebrates Whale Day, drawing attention to the conservation of their population.
Vladyslav Geraskevych won a gold medal at the final stage of the European Skeleton Cup in Lillehammer. The athlete successfully completed the European part of the season with a victory.
At a meeting of the Contact Group on Ukraine's defense, the partners announced new military aid packages. Denmark donated an F-16, while other countries are allocating funds for drones, tanks, and air defense systems.
The Norwegian government will provide Ukraine with air defense equipment worth NOK 1. 2 billion. In 2024, Norway has already allocated more than NOK 6 billion for air defense systems for Ukraine.
In Europe, 100,000 new cases of gonorrhea were reported, up 31% from last year and 300% from 2014. The number of syphilis cases increased by 13% to 40,000.
Israel's defense minister ordered the preparation of a plan to allow residents to “voluntarily leave” Gaza after supporting Trump's idea of turning the Strip into a “Riviera. ” The plan drew international condemnation and criticism from Hamas.
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.
A Russian ballistic missile hit the historic center of Odesa, where Norwegian diplomats were staying. The strike injured three people and damaged historical monuments, museums, and the Philharmonic.
The Silver Dania vessel, which is cruising between St. Petersburg and Murmansk, was detained in the port of Tromso at the request of Latvia. The vessel is suspected of involvement in damaging the submarine cable between Sweden and Latvia.
According to the Big Mac index, the hryvnia is undervalued by 50. 7% and should be worth 20.73 UAH to the dollar instead of 42.0. Ukraine ranked sixth among the world's most undervalued currencies.
Norwegian scientists have developed an AI that predicts the risk of breast cancer 4-6 years before the diagnosis. The algorithm was tested on the data of 116,495 women and revealed a double risk rate in the affected glands.
The 2025 World Figure Skating Championships in Tallinn will be attended by 28 athletes who have previously represented Russia or were born there. 14 participants partially trained for the competition in Russia, most of them ex-Russians in the Georgian team.
Sturla's Olympic champion Holm Legreid organizes an auction of bibs to help Ukrainian children. The IBU does not yet allow Russian athletes in neutral status, unlike other federations.
Merkushyna and Tyshchenko won bronze in the single mixed relay at the IBU Cup in Brezno-Osrbly. The athletes used only two additional rounds and lost to the teams of Norway and the Czech Republic.
Erling Holland has extended his contract with Manchester City until 2034. Under the new deal, the Norwegian will receive 500 thousand pounds per week, which will make him the highest-paid player in the Premier League.
An overview of the most important sports competitions at the beginning of 2025. Among the main events are Eurocup matches, the Biathlon World Championship and three title fights in professional boxing.
Sweden is preparing constitutional amendments to deprive citizenship for espionage and threats to state security. The changes will affect people with dual citizenship and those who obtained it fraudulently.
Norway has recognized 14 regions of Ukraine as safe, including the western and central regions. Ukrainians from these regions will not be able to receive collective protection.
Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Norway, and Ukraine supported the EU sanctions against Belarus. The restrictions apply to 26 citizens and 2 legal entities due to their involvement in the Russian aggression.
The EU has approved Switzerland's invitation to participate in the PESCO Military Mobility project. The project is aimed at optimizing the transportation of military forces and equipment between EU countries.
Ukraine's Defense Minister Rustem Umerov met with his British counterpart John Healey to discuss cooperation in 2025. The UK will continue to support Ukraine and invest in arms production, including air defense and long-range weapons.