A snapshot of recent news from sources around the world on the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war.
Political Developments
Ukraine and key European nations insisted on involvement in any peace talks after Donald Trump unilaterally announced direct negotiations with Vladimir Putin. Trump said on social media Wednesday that he spoke with Putin and agreed to have their teams begin talks immediately to end the nearly three-year war.
The Kremlin rejected Zelenskyy’s proposal to swap occupied Ukrainian land for parts of Russia’s Kursk region, calling it unacceptable. Zelenskyy outlined the idea in a Guardian interview, suggesting a territorial exchange to end the war.
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated Wednesday that restoring Ukraine’s pre-2014 borders is unrealistic and that the Trump administration does not view NATO membership for Kyiv as a solution to the war.
Meanwhile, French President Emmanuel Macron warned against any peace deals that involved Ukrainian capitulation. He also said it’s up to Ukraine to negotiate with Russia.
Ukraine has launched a voluntary military recruitment program for civilians aged 18 to 24. The effort was previously limited to those between the ages of 25 and 60.
Ukraine’s Parliament approved a bill that would allow the government to procure two Russian-made nuclear reactors from Bulgaria that were never used for around $600 million. The reactors are intended to be installed at the Khmelnytskyi nuclear power plant in western Ukraine to help bolster the energy grid. The reactors will take years to install, and critics say the money should be used for the war effort.
Military Assistance to Ukraine
Ukraine proposed a deal with Trump, offering access to its mineral industry in exchange for continued U.S. military aid. Zelenskyy first suggested it last fall to bolster Kyiv’s position against Moscow, and Trump expressed interest earlier this month. Trump has also said he would continue providing military aid to Ukraine to prevent Russia from claiming a victory. The president previously criticized the Biden administration’s long-running security assistance effort for Ukraine.
Germany will have elections on February 23. The candidate for German Chancellor from the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) supports delivery of TAURUS missiles to Ukraine. Current German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has long opposed providing this missile to Kyiv.
The United Kingdom announced a 150 million pound military aid package that includes thousands of drones, dozens of tanks and armored vehicles and air defense systems. The deal also includes maintenance contracts to repair existing equipment in Ukraine.
Separately, the UK is also providing additional armaments to Ukraine. The newest air defense system to be shipped to Ukraine is the Gravehawk. This system uses R-73 (AA-11 Archer) short-range air-to-air missile mounted on a tactical vehicle.
Latvia has ordered an unspecified number of Patria 6×6 APCs, for delivery to Ukraine later this year.
Norway will send NOK1.2 billion ($107 million) worth of air-defense equipment to Ukraine.
Battlefield Updates
A Russian drone strike hit the concrete shelter over Chernobyl’s destroyed fourth reactor, causing a fire that was extinguished, according to Ukrainian President Zelensky. Both Zelensky and Ukraine’s State Emergency Service reported that radiation levels remained normal despite damage to the shelter.
Russia has reportedly fired a second Oreshnik intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM) at Ukraine. This missile experienced a failure of some kind. The intended target was Kyiv. The missile did not reach the city and was detonated before it left Russian territory.
Russia has launched another air strike on Ukraine. Russian forces fired Kalibr cruise missiles on the night of February 11. Russia missiles targeted sites in the Poltava Region. Explosions were reported in the Lubny and Myrhorod districts.
Ukraine used the Patriot air defense system to defend its airspace during the night of February 12. The Patriot intercepted six ballistic missiles fired by Russian forces. Ten Patriot missiles were used in this action.
Russia has erected mesh netting over a road spanning around two kilometers, or 1.2 miles, to protect logistics equipment and personnel against first-person view (FPV) drones.
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