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.
Aid
US Treasury Secretary to visit Ukraine, meet Zelensky
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent will visit Ukraine this week to discuss a potential deal between Kyiv and Washington on critical minerals, Bloomberg reported on Feb. 11, citing undisclosed sources.
With cuts looming, it's time to reform Ukraine’s humanitarian aid system
Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the international community has sent nearly $11 billion in humanitarian aid, with billions more from individuals, charities, and Ukrainians. The UN recently announced a new $3.3 billion appeal for 2025. Yet, despite this support, key players in humanitarian aid — state donors,
Ukraine war latest: Ukraine returns 150 people from Russian captivity in prisoner swap
Key developments on Feb. 5: * Ukraine brings back 150 POWs from Russian captivity in prisoner swap * Ukraine strikes Russian oil facility, Buk air defense system overnight, military claims * UK pledges $69 million to boost Ukraine's resilience, grain deliveries to Syria * Ukraine's Defense Ministry introduces robotic units into army * Ukraine should
Ukraine open to mining rare earths in cooperation with partners, Zelensky says
"We are open to the idea that mineral resources can be developed with our partners who help us protect our land," Volodymyr Zelensky said.
Italy allocates over $2 million to strengthen Ukraine's energy system
The project, funded by the Italian government, aims to make Ukraine's energy system "more resilient and decentralized" in accordance with the "Build Back Better" principle.
Trump seeks Ukrainian rare earths in exchange for aid, Kyiv keen to agree, source says
U.S. President Donald Trump is seeking to have Ukraine supply the U.S. with rare earths as a condition for aid for the war-torn country. "We're looking to do a deal with Ukraine, where they're going to secure what we're giving them with their rare earths and other things,
Ukraine war latest: North Korean troops not seen for 3 weeks in parts of Kursk Oblast, Ukraine’s special forces say
Key developments on Jan. 31: * North Korean troops not seen for 3 weeks in parts of Kursk Oblast, Ukraine’s Special Forces say * Ukraine deploys long-range drone capable of 2,000 km strike, military says * Ukrainian drones strike "one of 10 largest oil refineries in Russia," military says * Russian missiles
Norway should cede its war windfall to Ukraine
Norway’s government has effectively become a war profiteer, we argued in a commentary in December. It is an opinion shared by a number of European politicians, and by European and Norwegian media. But rather than paying attention, Norway’s government is getting defensive. The basic facts are not up
Ukraine war latest: 9 killed, 13 injured in Russian drone attack on Sumy
Key developments on Jan. 30: * Rescue operations end in Sumy with 9 killed, 13 injured after Russian drone attack on residential building * Sweden unveils its largest military aid package for Ukraine worth $1.2 billion * Lithuania open to sending peacekeepers to Ukraine, chief commander says * Russia's Soviet-era military stockpile running
Sweden unveils its largest military aid package for Ukraine worth $1.2 billion
The package includes 16 CB90 combat boats with weapons stations, a million rounds of 12.7 mm ammunition, 146 trucks, 1,500 TOW anti-tank missiles, as well as 200 AT4 anti-tank launchers.
Trump’s foreign aid freeze stranded independent media in Ukraine. Here's how you can help
Editor's Note: After this op-ed was published, the Kyiv Independent launched a fundraiser to save three Ukrainian newsrooms that suffered from the aid freeze. It probably made sense on paper. In his first week in office, U.S. President Donald Trump ordered a 90–day freeze on U.S. foreign
Ukraine war latest: Putin claims Zelensky doesn't have a right to sign any potential peace deal
Key developments on Jan. 28: * Putin claims Zelensky doesn't have a right to sign any potential peace deal * 'Pure propaganda' — Kharkiv Oblast governor denies Russian claims of capturing Dvorichna * Italian parliament extends military support for Ukraine through 2025 * SBU says it dismantled Russian spy network targeting F-16 jets * Government dismisses
Italian parliament extends military support for Ukraine through 2025
Earlier, the Italian Senate approved the measure with 192 votes in favor and 41 against.
Netherlands announces $27 million in aid for Ukraine following Dutch Foreign Minister's visit to Kyiv
Following his visit to Kyiv, Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp announced 27 million euros ($27.8 million) in new aid for Ukraine on Jan. 16.
Germany continues talks on $3 billion aid package for Ukraine, Pistorius says
The German government is still discussing a proposed 3 billion euros ($3.09 billion) aid package for Ukraine, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said on Jan. 14, according to Ukrinform.
Ukraine war latest: Russia claims to occupy 2 more villages in Ukraine's east; Kyiv doesn't confirm
Key developments on Jan. 13: * Russia claims to occupy 2 more villages in Ukraine's east; Kyiv hasn't confirmed * Ukraine's special forces claim to repel North Korean assault in Russia's Kursk Oblast, killing 17 soldiers * Ukraine opens doors to foreign firms for military equipment modernization * Germany announces first deliveries of promised
Ukraine mulls buying Italian air defenses with frozen Russian assets' proceeds
Kyiv and Rome are discussing the possibility of purchasing Italian-made air defense systems and ammunition using profits from immobilized Russian assets, the Ukrainian Defense Ministry said on Jan. 11.
Scholz blocks proposal for $3 billion arms package for Ukraine, Spiegel reports
The initiative reportedly included the provision weapons including three additional Iris-T air defense batteries, 10 howitzers, and more artillery ammunition.
'It would be crazy to drop the ball now' — Zelensky urges continued unity, support for Ukraine at Ramstein
President Volodymyr Zelensky is expected to hold a series of bilateral meetings during the summit, which could be the group's last meeting in the current format.
Ukraine to receive another 180,000 rounds of ammunition for Gepard systems from Germany
The order for a new batch of rounds of HEI-T ammunition (High Explosive Incendiary with Tracer) was booked in December 2024 and is funded by the German government.
Next Ramstein summit to be held on Jan. 9
The meeting will be the first since October 2024, when a leader-level summit in Germany was postponed after U.S. President Joe Biden canceled his foreign trips to handle Hurricane Milton.
Hungary loses out on about $1 billion in EU aid
The aid package was conditional on Hungary implementing reforms to bring the country into compliance with EU standards by the end of 2024. Budapest failed to meet the requirements, a European Commission spokesperson said.
Japan to transfer $3 billion from frozen Russian assets to Ukraine, Zelensky says
In a phone call with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, Zelensky expressed his gratitude for Japan's previous aid to Ukraine, which has totaled $12 billion and "makes it possible to save thousands of lives."
Germany provides Ukraine with 15 Leopard 1 tanks, 2 IRIS-T systems, 2 Patriot launchers
Berlin supplied Ukraine with 15 Leopard 1A5 tanks, one short-range and one medium-range IRIS-T air defense system with missiles, two Patriot air defense launchers, and other aid in the latest delivery, the German government said on Dec. 23.
Biden administration to announce its final $1.2 billion Ukraine aid package under USAI, Reuters reports
The package is expected to include air defense interceptors and artillery ammunition, one of the sources told Reuters.
Denmark allocates $292 million to bolster Ukraine’s air defense, minister says
The announcement comes amid intensified Russian attacks against Ukraine, including one of the largest aerial strikes on Dec. 13, which targeted energy infrastructure across Ukraine.
‘Dumbass’ — Zelensky blasts Putin’s Oreshnik threats, 'high-tech' duel proposal with the West
At a press conference in Brussels on Dec. 19, President Volodymyr Zelensky blasted Russian President Vladimir Putin's recent threats of using the new Oreshnik intermediate-range ballistic missile against Kyiv to test Western air defense systems in what he called a "high-tech duel" with the West.
UK announces $283 million military aid package for Ukraine
According to media reports, the package includes over 92 million pound ($115 million) in equipment to support Ukraine's navy, including small boats as well as reconnaissance drones. A further 39 million pounds ($49 million) will be used to supply over 1,000 counter-drone electronic warfare systems.
Rheinmetall to provide Ukraine with 20 more Marder infantry fighting vehicles
German arms manufacturer Rheinmetall has received an order to supply Ukraine with 20 additional Marder infantry fighting vehicles, the company announced on Dec. 17.
UK sanctions 20 Russian 'shadow fleet' tankers, announces financial aid to Ukraine
The United Kingdom sanctioned 20 vessels of Russia’s "shadow fleet" and pledged 35 million pounds ($44 million) in aid to repair Ukraine’s energy grid, the British government said on Dec. 17.
German CDU party highlights support for Ukraine in election program, European Pravda reports
The Christian Democratic Union (CDU), one of Germany’s leading political parties, has reaffirmed its support for Ukraine as part of its platform in the upcoming German parliament elections, European Pravda reported on Dec. 14.
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