US 'pretty close' to minerals deal with Ukraine, Trump claims
"I think (the Ukrainians) want it. They feel good about it, and it's a significant — it's a big deal, but they want it, and it keeps us in that country, and they're very happy about it."
The Kyiv Independent news desk
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Ukrainian, US officials negotiated throughout the night amid minerals deal dispute, Axios reports
Ukrainian and U.S. officials negotiated a mineral deal all night into the morning on Feb. 21 amid a rift between the two nations over the agreement, Axios reported.
Ukraine periodically loses up to 40% of gas production due to Russian attacks, Reuters reports
Russian strikes have repeatedly hit Ukraine’s gas infrastructure over the course of the war, reducing production by as much as 40% at certain periods following an attack.
Ukraine war latest: Russia wants to declare 'victory' over Ukraine on Feb. 24, Ukrainian intel claims
Key developments on Feb. 21: * Russia wants to declare 'victory' over Ukraine on Feb. 24, Ukrainian intel claims * Zelensky is not 'important' to negotiations on ending war, Trump says * 'No appetite' for new Ukraine aid bill, US House speaker says * Trump's envoy Kellogg praises Zelensky as 'courageous leader' after talks
EU seeks more US gas to replace Russian supplies
The EU is also looking to develop renewable energy faster to reduce its overall dependence on the fuel, EU Energy Commissioner Dan Jorgensen said.
Kremlin denies demanding NATO eastern rollback in talks with US
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said this in reaction to an article by the Financial Times claiming that during the talks in Riyadh on Feb. 18, Russian delegates asked for the NATO rollback as a condition for "normalizing relations."
Ukraine launching faster drone supply model for military
According to the new model, military units will be able to choose the unmanned systems best suited to their needs. The system also aims to support manufacturers through advance orders, allowing them to plan for scaling up their production.
General Staff: Russia has lost 864,860 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022
This number includes 1,280 casualties Russian forces suffered just over the past day.
Europe needs 'massive defense plan,' US 'can't be weak' with Putin, Macron says
Europe is not likely to form a common army, Macron clarified, but can work to create joint defense capabilities and autonomy from the U.S.
Ukraine war latest: Zelensky-Kellogg meeting ends with no joint statements at US request, spokesperson says
Key developments on Feb. 20: * Zelensky-Kellogg meeting ends with no joint statements at US request, spokesperson says * Starmer to pitch plan on 30,000 European peacekeepers in Ukraine to Trump, Telegraph reports * US refuses to co-sponsor UN resolution condemning Russia, resists labeling Moscow 'aggressor' in G7 statement, media report * Russia
Russia claims to retake 64% of Kursk Oblast territories seized by Ukraine
According to Sergei Rudsky, a senior Russian General Staff official, Ukrainian soldiers are in control of about 500 square kilometers (193 square miles) out of 1,268 square kilometers (490 square miles) initially seized by Kyiv.
Kremlin 'concerned' by Starmer's reported peacekeeper plan for Ukraine
"We are, of course, following all these reports most closely... This is a cause for concern because the discussion is about sending NATO military contingents to Ukraine," Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said at a press briefing.
Trump may seek simplified resources deal with Ukraine, Reuters reports
The sources told Reuters that Trump wants to make a deal before potentially authorizing more U.S. military aid for Kyiv or moving forward with an attempt to broker formal Ukraine-Russia peace talks.
Russia holds 'the cards' in possible peace talks, Trump says
"I think the Russians want to see the war end, I really do. I think they have the cards a little bit, because they've taken a lot of territory. They have the cards," U.S. President Donald Trump said.
Starmer to pitch plan on 30,000 European peacekeepers in Ukraine to Trump, Telegraph reports
The purpose of this support is to ensure that "whatever forces are deployed will not be challenged by Russia," an unnamed source told the Telegraph.
Trump wants to 'resurrect' Ukraine resources deal 'or things are not gonna make (Zelensky) too happy'
"I think I’m gonna resurrect that deal, you know, we'll see what happens, but I’m gonna resurrect it or things are gonna not make him (President Volodymyr Zelensky) too happy," U.S. President Donald Trump said.
European leaders back Zelensky after Trump's accusations
"Ukraine has been defending itself against Russia's merciless war of aggression for almost three years... And it is simply wrong and dangerous to deny President Zelensky's democratic legitimacy," German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said on X.
General Staff: Russia has lost 863,580 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022
This number includes 1,190 casualties Russian forces suffered just over the past day.
Ukraine war latest: Trump calls Zelensky 'dictator,' warns of Ukraine's demise without elections
Key developments on Feb. 19: * Trump calls Zelensky 'dictator,' warns of Ukraine's demise without elections * Reported drone strike against Russian oil refinery in Samara Oblast causes fire * Ukraine refutes Putin's claims of Russian offensive from Kursk Oblast * North Korean troops in Russia reportedly told they're fighting South Korean forces
Hungary again blocks EU sanctions against Moscow Patriarch Kirill
"Hungary also blocked sanctions against 27 individuals and organizations, including Patriarch Kirill, arguing that targeting religious leaders undermines peace efforts," a Hungarian government spokesperson said.
US helping Putin escape isolation, Zelensky says after Riyadh talks
"The fact that they are discussing bilateral issues in Saudi Arabia is their right, but I believe that the U.S. helped Putin escape many years of isolation," Zelensky said during a press conference, adding that Ukraine is nevertheless "ready for anything."
Russian disinformation behind Trump's claim of 4% approval rating, Zelensky says
Ukraine understands that U.S. President Donald Trump's claim that President Volodymyr Zelensky holds a 4% approval rating comes from Russia, Zelensky said during a press conference on Feb. 19.
EU ambassadors agree on 16th package of Russia sanctions
EU ambassadors agreed on a new package of sanctions against Russia, targeting aluminum imports and the "shadow fleet" of oil tankers, Euronews reported on Feb. 19.
General Staff: Russia has lost 862,390 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022
This number includes 1,300 casualties Russian forces suffered just over the past day.
Canada wants to participate in talks on Ukraine's security guarantees, official says
"We want to be part of conversations linked to more Canadians being involved in protecting Ukraine," Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly said on Feb. 18.
Ukraine war latest: Russia, US conclude Ukraine peace talks in Saudi Arabia, Kremlin advisor calls them 'not bad'
Key developments on Feb. 18: * Russia, US conclude Ukraine peace talks in Saudi Arabia, Kremlin advisor says they were 'not bad' * Zelensky postpones Saudi Arabia visit amid Russia-US talks * Over 10,000 applications to join military submitted by young recruits following introduction of 'special contracts,' Defense Ministry says * Explosions
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."
New video shows Australian POW Oscar Jenkins alive but injured in Russian captivity
In the video, Oscar Jenkins says he feels "weak" and has "lost a lot of weight," and has a broken arm.
US-Russia talks in Saudi Arabia end
Though the U.S. and Russia are meeting without Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelensky will also head to Saudi Arabia this week.
General Staff: Russia has lost 861,090 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022
This number includes 1,170 casualties Russian forces suffered just over the past day.
Ukraine war latest: Russia's Lavrov rules out territorial concessions as part of Ukraine peace talks
Key developments on Feb. 17: * Russia's Lavrov rules out territorial concessions as part of Ukraine peace talks * Ukraine strikes Ilsky Oil Refinery in Russia's Krasnodar Krai, SBU source says * Up to 30,000 European troops reportedly could be deployed to monitor Ukraine ceasefire, Washington Post reports * Zelensky hopes Kellogg will
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