Finland officially announces that it will apply for NATO membership.

9:20 PM

US to release Russian cybercrime boss in exchange for American schoolteacher Marc Fogel, Reuters reports.

Alexander Vinnik, a Russian cybercrime boss who was serving a prison sentence in the U.S., will be released in exchange for the return of American teacher Marc Fogel, Reuters reported on Feb. 12, citing an unnamed U.S. official.

7:55 PM

'Restoring Ukraine's pre-2014 borders is unrealistic objective,' Pentagon chief says.

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said on Feb. 12 at the Ramstein summit that it is unrealistic to expect that Ukraine can restore its 2014 borders in any negotiations with Moscow on ending its war.

7:53 PM

Trump holds talks with Zelensky following his 1.5-hour-long conversation with Putin.

"The conversation went very well. He, like President (Vladimir) Putin, wants to make peace. We discussed a variety of topics having to do with the war, but mostly, the meeting that is being set up on Friday in Munich, where Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio will lead the delegation," U.S. President Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social.

7:44 PM

US Senate confirms Ukraine-skeptic Tulsi Gabbard as director of national intelligence.

The U.S. Senate voted to confirm Tulsi Gabbard as director of national intelligence on Feb. 10. The former lawmaker has previously blamed NATO for Russia's war against Ukraine, and faced scrutiny for her controversial foreign policy views.

7:30 PM

Trump holds call with Putin, says Ukraine peace negotiations to start 'immediately.'

In a post on Truth Social, Trump said both agreed that "we want to stop the millions of deaths taking place in the War with Russia/Ukraine."

7:03 PM

US Treasury Secretary meets Zelensky, passes along draft agreement on critical minerals.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent met with President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv on Feb. 12.

7:02 PM

Ukraine must 'build NATO on its territory' if not invited to alliance, Zelensky says.

Ukraine is not giving up on its NATO aspirations, but if denied an invitation to the alliance, it "must build NATO on its territory" by strengthening the military, President Volodymyr Zelensky told the Economist in an interview published on Feb. 12.

5:40 PM

Ukraine Business Roundup — Trump tariffs hit to Ukraine's steel industry

5:23 PM

Video

Russia's growing shadow fleet sends a dangerous signal, expert warns.

Russia has resorted to a "shadow fleet" to transport its oil and gas to get around Western sanctions and price caps. The Kyiv Independent spoke with Elisabeth Braw, a senior fellow with the Atlantic Council's Transatlantic Security Initiative, to find out what options the West has and how dangerous the shadow fleet actually is.

5:14 PM

Opinion

Kyiv and Washington’s mobilization age blame game misses the point

4:14 PM

Mixed reactions as Ukraine introduces 1-year military contract for young volunteers.

The contract includes basic general military training, vocational training, and an adaptation course in an army unit. Volunteers will receive a one-time monetary aid payment of Hr 1 million ($24,000) and a monthly allowance of up to Hr 120,000 ($3,000).

4:04 PM

Ukrainian draft officer attacked at Kharkiv military enlistment office.

The attacker reportedly used a gas spray and stabbed the serviceman, who is now receiving medical care with no threat to his life.

3:48 PM

NATO reaction to Russian attack would be 'devastating,' Rutte warns.

"If (Russian President Vladimir) Putin attacks NATO, the reaction will be devastating. He will lose," NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said.

4:56 AM  (Updated:  February 12, 2025 3:15 pm)

Russian ballistic missile attack on Kyiv kills 1, injures 4.

Russia launched a missile attack against Kyiv on the morning of Feb. 12, killing one person and injuring four others, including a child.

2:55 PM

US to release Russian citizen in exchange for Fogel 'in coming days,' Kremlin claims.

"A Russian citizen will return to Russia in the coming days," Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said without revealing his identity.

2:18 PM

Zelensky ready to meet Trump in US once details are arranged.

"As for President Trump, he said he was waiting for me in Washington. And we are very much looking forward to our teams agreeing on the dates and other details for a meeting in the U.S.," President Volodymyr Zelensky said.

2:02 PM

Kremlin rejects territorial exchange in potential Ukraine peace talks.

"This is impossible. Russia has never discussed and will never discuss the topic of exchanging its territory," Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said.

1:33 PM

Ukraine's SBU detains its counter-terrorist center chief accused of working for Russia.

The suspect's activities were documented in 14 separate episodes, according to Maliuk. He emphasized that the operation required "all possible overt and covert methods," including advanced operational and technical measures.

1:01 PM

Europe faces 'total' Russian occupation without Ukraine's army, Zelensky says.

President Volodymyr Zelensky highlighted the disparity in forces, saying that Ukraine's army consists of 110 brigades, while Russia fields 220 and plans to expand to 250 this year. In contrast, Europe, including U.S. troops stationed there, has only about 82 combat brigades.

12:43 PM

Defense Minister Umerov meets Pentagon chief Hegseth for the first time.

Ukraine's Defense Minister Rustem Umerov met with U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth for the first time on Feb. 12 during the Ramstein-format meeting in Brussels.

12:33 PM

Russian missile attack on Kyiv damages state-run TV channel's office.

The attack struck an industrial zone housing multiple office centers. Footage from the scene shows shattered glass, structural damage to buildings, and wrecked cars.

11:53 AM

'People were killed inside Presidential Office' — Zelensky comments on Russia's assassination attempts in 2022.

An attempt to assassinate President Volodymyr Zelensky at the onset of Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022 resulted in people being killed inside the Presidential Office, Zelensky said in a segment of an interview with The Guardian published on Feb. 12.

11:39 AM

Russia's sanctioned ex-central bank official takes up in-person IMF duties in Washington.

Ksenia Yudaeva is moving to Washington after the U.S. Treasury Department, still under the Biden administration, granted her permission to transition from remote to in-person duties as Russia's IMF executive director, Bloomberg reported in January.

11:01 AM

Coordinating allied support — Umerov lists Ukraine's priorities at Ramstein-format summit.

The agenda includes ensuring a stable and timely supply of military aid in 2025, accelerating the delivery of critical weapons like air defense systems, aviation, and ammunition, and fostering joint projects with European partners.

10:50 AM

Pentagon chief Hegseth arrives in Brussels ahead of Ramstein-format meeting.

"Our commitment is clear: NATO must be a stronger, more lethal force—not a diplomatic club. Time for allies to meet the moment," U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said.