Ukraine
The Prime Minister of Ukraine had a productive conversation with the Prime Minister of Poland Donald Tusk. They discussed military logistics, European integration and support for the 16th package of EU sanctions.
The Verkhovna Rada has registered a bill to ban the sale of energy drinks to minors. The document provides for new labeling requirements and restrictions on the sale of beverages with a high content of stimulants.
The South Korean government has declared its readiness to accept captured North Korean soldiers. Among the captured DPRK representatives, there is already a desire to obtain refugee status in South Korea.
Russia has launched an information campaign “Ukraine does not want peace” led by Sergei Naryshkin. The goal of the operation is to accuse Ukraine of preparing terrorist attacks in the EU and disrupting the peace process.
Mykyta Kalin, a former player of the Kolos youth team, died in the Kharkiv region on February 6, 2025. The athlete also played for Skif, IFC Brovary, Bohdanivka, and Favorit.
Lviv Rukh will play a match against LNZ on February 22, despite the outbreak of SARS in the team. The club has not received a response from the UAF regarding the postponement of the game and will use healthy players from the first team and youth squad.
Kazakhstan calls on Ukraine to negotiate over the UAV attack on the Kropotkinskaya oil pumping station in Russia. Due to the damage to the station, the pumping of Kazakh oil decreased by 30%.
The SAPO and the NABU exposed a large-scale corruption scheme in the creation of the DZVIN system for the Armed Forces. The suspects include high-ranking officials of the General Staff and the director of a private company, who caused UAH 246 million in losses to the state.
The Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada, Ruslan Stefanchuk, said that elections in Ukraine will be held only after the end of martial law. According to him, holding elections during the war is against the law.
The President of Ukraine announced a shortage of missiles for the Patriot air defense system and asked the United States to provide licenses for their production. Ukraine needs about 20 air defense systems for effective defense.
The Kremlin, through the head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund, has proposed a deal on natural resources to the United States. Russia is ready to provide access to oil and joint projects in the Arctic.
EU Ambassador Katarina Mathernova said that the policy towards Ukrainian refugees after the war will differ from country to country. The level of benefits and social support will depend on the particular state.
President Zelenskyy invited US Special Representative Keith Kellogg to visit the front and talk to the military.
President Zelenskyy said that the sanctions were not imposed against Poroshenko personally, but against a group of people who withdraw funds from the state. The sanctions list also includes Kolomoisky, Boholyubov, Zhevago, and Medvedchuk.
Starting from February 19, a minute of silence will be held every day at 9:00 a. m. in the Kyiv subway and ground transportation in honor of fallen defenders and civilians. The initiative is being implemented through a public address system and information materials.
EU Ambassador Katarina Mathernová stated that the partnership between Ukraine and the EU is stable, regardless of changes in relations with the United States. She emphasized that Ukraine's future lies in the EU, and the EU remains a reliable partner.
Early elections to the Bundestag will be held in Germany, where the main struggle is between Merz and Scholz. The results may affect military aid to Ukraine and policies regarding Ukrainian refugees.
The head of the CPD said that Russia is not preparing to end hostilities, but rather is building up its military capabilities. This comes amid reports of possible agreements between the United States and Russia on a peace plan.
Oil exports from the Kozmino terminal remain stable thanks to new vessels that circumvent US sanctions. The G7 considers tightening restrictions on Russian oil and revising the price ceiling.
Zelenskyy said that Ukraine produces 30% of the required defense products, which is higher than in some European countries. In 2024, domestic enterprises produced more than 1.5 million drones.
The president said that Ukraine does not want security guarantees from Russia, but asks for protection from it. Among the possible guarantees are NATO, a million-strong army, air defense, and military contingent of partners.
The President of Ukraine refused to sign an agreement with the United States on the transfer of 50% of rare earth metals due to the lack of security guarantees. Zelenskyy emphasized the need for clear security guarantees from partners, not from the Russians.
Frosty weather is expected in Ukraine on February 20, with temperatures down to -20 degrees in the east. Forecasters predict a warming from February 25, when the temperature will rise to +4+9 degrees.
An air alert has been declared in Ukraine due to the threat of ballistic missile use. Yermak said that this was a response from the Kremlin, which “understands only the language of force.
The President of Ukraine said that the total cost of the war amounted to $320 billion, of which $200 billion was foreign aid. The United States provided $67 billion in military and $31.5 billion in financial aid.
President Zelenskyy said that information about his low rating is Russian disinformation. According to the KIIS, Zelensky's approval rating is almost 60%.
The German defense minister believes that public statements by the United States about the impossibility of Ukraine joining NATO strengthen Putin's position. Pistorius emphasized the unacceptability of negotiations without the participation of European states.
Ukraine will work on obtaining security guarantees from Turkey. Zelenskyy emphasized the importance of cooperation, given that both countries have the strongest armies in Europe.
Latvian Prime Minister Evika Silinia has proposed creating a coalition of Baltic and Scandinavian countries as an alternative to the NATO mission in Ukraine. According to her, they already have ready-made scenarios for joint negotiations.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent expects Zelenskiy to sign an economic partnership agreement. The agreement provides for access to Ukraine's resources and the purchase of American energy in exchange for support.