UK to increase defense spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027, Starmer says
It is the largest sustained increase in British defense spending since the end of the Cold War.
Kateryna Hodunova
Articles
Ukraine needs $524 billion for recovery, reconstruction after 3 years of Russia's full-scale war
The required reconstruction costs are 2.8 times higher than Ukraine's nominal GDP for 2024, according to a new report.
'I was tired' — Serbia's president apologizes for accidentally backing Ukraine's UN resolution
"I apologize to the citizens of Serbia for that, and I take the blame for that because I was probably tired and overwhelmed," Aleksandar Vucic said.
Ukraine passes resolution on elections when there is 'sustainable peace' at 2nd attempt
The decision was supported by 268 members of parliament, while 12 others abstained.
G7 still discussing joint statement on Russia's full-scale invasion due to disagreement with US
Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly's statement comes after the U.S. voted against the U.N. resolution, which condemns Russia's full-scale invasion on Feb. 24.
Russian attacks across Ukraine kill 2, injure 36 over past day
The Russian military regularly attacks Ukrainian cities and villages with drones, missiles, glide bombs, and artillery.
European Commission denies EU has offered Ukraine its own proposal on minerals
The day prior, AFP reported that the EU has offered Ukraine its own deal on the country's natural resources, describing it as "mutually beneficial" and a "win-win partnership."
US, Ukraine close to signing deal on minerals worth 'hundreds of billions of dollars,' Axios reports
According to the draft obtained by Axios, the U.S. would express its desire to keep Ukraine "free, sovereign and secure."
Russia has launched over 30 mass strikes on Ukraine's energy system in 3 years, ministry says
Losses from Russian attacks amount to "billions of dollars," according to Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko.
Spain to provide Ukraine with military aid package worth over $1 billion in 2025
"We are ready to continue to provide military assistance and equipment with even more determination than we have in the past," Spanish PM Pedro Sanchez said.
Moscow open to ceasefire only when talks yield results that 'suit Russia,' Lavrov says
Sergey Lavrov's comments come as the White House announced that a peace deal with Russia could be hashed out this week.
Nordic countries to provide Ukraine with additional humanitarian, military, energy aid
The Nordic governments' statements coincided with their leaders' visits to Kyiv on the anniversary of the beginning of the all-out war.
EU to provide Ukraine with $3.7 billion tranche in March
"Europe is here to strengthen Ukraine in this critical moment. I can announce that a new 3.5 billion euros ($3.7 billion) payment for Ukraine will arrive already in March," European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said.
Kallas to visit US to meet Rubio, discuss peace efforts in Ukraine
Kaja Kallas suggested that "the messages coming out of the U.S." regarding the elections in Ukraine suggest that "the Russian narrative is very strongly represented there."
Ukrainian drones reportedly strike Russian refinery in Ryazan Oblast for 3rd time in 2025
The Ryazan Oil Refining Company's facility was previously struck overnight on Jan. 24 and Jan. 26.
Australia, New Zealand impose new sanctions against Russia
Australia has introduced the most extensive package of sanctions since the beginning of the all-out war, while New Zealand imposed restrictions on over 50 individuals and entities.
Czechia, Poland preparing decision on status of Ukrainians with temporary protection after ceasefire, war's end
Prague and Warsaw are seeking to prepare a "rough version of the proposal," as the decision should be made later at the EU level, Czech Interior Minister Vit Rakusan told Czech news website Novinky on Feb. 18.
Russia offering US deal on natural resources, access to Arctic
Moscow suggested that American oil companies may return to the country, Russian negotiator Kirill Dmitriev said before the talks started in Riyadh.
US promises Europe to maintain sanctions against Russia at least until Ukraine peace deal, Bloomberg reports
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio assured a group of European colleagues that sanctions would not be lifted earlier. The phone call took place on Feb. 18.
Ukraine doesn't want to become 'center for extraction of raw materials,' Zelensky says
"Ukraine is ready for investment, provided that the occupied territories are liberated and natural resources are protected," President Volodymyr Zelensky said.
Trump to 'probably' meet Putin before end of February
Answering a journalist's questions at a press conference in Mar-a-Lago about whether the meeting would take place before the end of the month, Trump said "probably" without mentioning a specific date.
'Russia will try to divide us' — Kallas on US-Russia talks in Saudi Arabia
European foreign ministers and EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas spoke to U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio after the U.S.-Russia talks in Riyadh, Kallas said on X on Feb. 18.
Reported drone strike against Russian oil refinery in Samara Oblast causes fire
Residents posted videos on social media purportedly showing a large blaze at the refinery. Sounds of explosions were reported at around 2:45 a.m. local time.
North Korea gaining military experience in Ukraine, improving its missiles' accuracy, Budanov says
"Only three countries — Ukraine, Russia, and North Korea — are gaining direct experience in full-scale 21st-century warfare," Kyrylo Budanov said.
Russia, US conclude Ukraine peace talks in Saudi Arabia, Kremlin advisor says they were 'not bad'
Yuri Ushakov, an advisor to Russia's President Vladimir Putin, said it was a "very serious discussion of all the issues we wanted to touch upon."
Putin ready for talks with Zelensky, Kremlin says, repeats false 'legitimacy' claims
Russia has widely used the claim that Volodymyr Zelensky is illegitimate in its propaganda to discredit the Ukrainian government.
Europe at 'kids' table' in talks on Ukraine, Rheinmetall chief says
"If you don't invest, if you're not strong, they handle you like kids," Armin Papperger said.
'Now is a critical moment' — EU chief von der Leyen meets Kellogg to discuss Ukraine
Ursula von der Leyen discussed the situation in Ukraine with Keith Kellogg on the day when talks on ending the war between Russia and the U.S. began in Riyadh.
Russian attacks across Ukraine kill 2, injure 26 over past day
Russian forces launched 176 drones from the Russian cities of Orel, Bryansk, Kursk, Shatalovo, Millerovo, Primosk-Akhtarsk, and Russian-occupied Crimea at Ukraine overnight, according to Ukraine's Air Force.
'Europe is ready and willing to step up' — Rutte on security guarantees for Ukraine
Europe is ready and willing to take a leadership role in providing Ukraine with security guarantees, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte wrote on Feb. 17 on X.
Film 'Rock, Scissors, Paper' about war in Ukraine wins BAFTA award
The film "Rock, Paper, Scissors" won the Best British Short Film nomination at the British Academy Film Awards (BAFTA) on Feb. 16.
Zelensky to visit Turkey, Saudi Arabia in coming days, media reports
The Ukrainian president's visit coincides with the U.S.-Russia talks on ending the war in Ukraine, which will take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
