Russia will not be readmitted to G7, German finance minister says, rebuffing Trump
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Feb. 13 that he would "love" to see Russia readmitted into the G7, calling Russia's 2014 expulsion from the group a "mistake."
Europe
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."
EU imports of Russian fossil fuels exceeded aid to Ukraine in third year of the Russian invasion, report says
The EU paid 21.9 billion euros ($22.9 billion) for Russian fossil fuel imports in the third year of Moscow's invasion of Ukraine, exceeding the 18.8 billion euros ($19.6 billion) in financial aid sent to Ukraine that year, according to a new report by the Center for Research on Energy and Clean Air published on Feb. 24.
Lithuania's Nauseda proposes 2030 as Ukraine's EU accession date
Speaking at the Support Ukraine summit in Kyiv, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda called for decisive leadership to accelerate Ukraine's integration.
When your 'ass is burning, you start to move faster' — Lithuanian minister urges Europe to step up defense
"So I do hope that we will start to move faster in the next few months," Lithuania's defense chief said at the YES conference event held in Kyiv by the Victor Pinchuk Foundation on Feb. 24, the third anniversary of the Russian full-scale invasion.
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."
Thousands rally across Europe, Canada ahead of 3rd anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion
Thousands of people rallied in support of Ukraine on Feb. 23 ahead of the third anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion which began on Feb. 24, 2022.
'Europe did more than the US' — EU defense commissioner pushes back against Trump accusations
Editor's note: The interview has been edited for clarity and brevity. Donald Trump's return to the White House has forced Kyiv and other European capitals to ask themselves a sobering question: What will happen to Western support for Ukraine if the U.S. withdraws? The U.S. has been, by
US proposes rival UN statement on Ukraine war, clashing with Kyiv, Europe, Reuters reports
The new U.S. resolution mourns the casualties of the "Russia-Ukraine conflict" and "implores a swift end" to hostilities, according to a draft obtained by Reuters.
EU preparing military aid package for Kyiv worth $20.9 billion, Bloomberg reports
The additional military support would supply Kyiv with air defense systems, artillery ammunition, long-range missiles, and drones.
Austria offers to host Ukraine peace negotiations, ambassador says
Europe must participate in potential peace talks "not only because we are the biggest donors but because Ukraine is a European country fighting for our values and freedom," Austrian Ambassador to Ukraine Arad Benko said.
Europe, rearming is cheaper than war
Europe urgently needs to rearm. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and the broader threat that Russian President Vladimir Putin’s regime poses to Europe, requires nothing less. U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration has also now made clear that neither Ukraine nor America’s NATO allies can count on
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
Lithuania's president unveils 6-point plan to support Ukraine, strengthen European security
"We must act now to support Ukraine and boost Europe's security. No more talk shops — time for action," Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda wrote on X.
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.
Slavoj Žižek: Fate no longer smiles on us, Europeans
The second line of the Ukrainian national anthem — “Fate/luck still smiles on us, fellow Ukrainians” — sadly no longer holds. Much worse, we should extend this retreat of luck to Europe itself: Fate/luck no longer smiles on us, fellow Europeans. The situation is now so serious that the same
Macron rules out sending French combat troops to Ukraine's front line
France will not send its soldiers to the frontline in Ukraine, French President Emmanuel Macron said in a television interview on Feb. 18.
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.
Smaller Western force could guarantee security in Ukraine, Guardian reports
Such a force could number in the tens of thousands, or even fewer — a number far below President Zelensky's suggestion of 100,000 to 150,000 peacekeepers.
Ukraine summit in Paris exposes divisions, lack of coherent plan, experts say
The emergency Ukraine summit held in Paris by European leaders on Feb. 17 exposed divisions between European countries, highlighting how they have so far failed to agree on a coherent plan for supporting Kyiv, analysts have told the Kyiv Independent. French President Emmanuel Macron convened the summit after Brussels and
EU plans $6.2 billion military aid package for Ukraine ahead of US-Russia talks, Politico reports
The package is expected to include 1.5 million artillery shells, air defense systems, and equipment for military brigades. According to Politico, the value of the aid could increase to 10 billion euros ($10.8 billion) depending on individual EU member states' contributions.
France to host second summit on Ukraine, European security, Reuters reports
Paris has now invited additional European countries and Canada to join the upcoming meeting, either in person or via video link, according to Reuters
Trump is trading Ukraine’s future for a quick win
As many others have now concluded, this year’s Munich Security Conference (MSC) was pretty remarkable. Indeed, it may have been as defining an event as Russian President Vladimir Putin’s infamous 2007 speech, which marked a shift toward a more openly hostile Russian policy toward the West. That shift
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.
Macron hosts summit of European powers to discuss plan for Ukraine's 'automatic NATO membership'
The summit will be held on the same day a U.S. delegation arrives in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, for talks with Russian officials on ending the war in Ukraine.
Ukraine war latest: US wants 50% of Ukraine's minerals, may deploy troops to guard them; Zelensky says nearly 250,000 Russian soldiers killed in war
Key developments on Feb. 15-16: * US wants to get 50% of Ukrainian minerals, may deploy its troops to guard them, NBC reports * Almost 250,000 Russian soldiers killed in Ukraine war, Zelensky says * Russia must withdraw to at least pre-2022 front line, Zelensky says * Europe quietly developing plan to send
Ukraine, Europe must be involved in peace talks, Rubio says
"Ukraine will have to be involved, because they're the one that were invaded, and the Europeans will have to be involved because they have sanctions on Putin and Russia as well," U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said.
Europe needs 'special envoy' to take part in Ukraine peace talks, says Finnish President
"If there is a negotiating table, I think we need to do something similar to what was done in Kosovo. Europe needs to have a special envoy," Finnish President Alexander Stubb said on Feb. 16 at the Munich Security Conference.
France to host emergency summit on Ukraine as Trump administration and Russian officials set to begin peace negotiations without Europe
European leaders are set to gather in Paris on Feb. 17 for an emergency summit over concerns that the U.S. is advancing peace talks with Russia without Europe, Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski announced on Feb. 15.
US requests European countries to draft proposals outlining post-war security assurances for Ukraine, FT reports
The U.S. has asked European countries to outline their potential security and peacekeeping contributions to Ukraine as part of any future peace negotiations with Russia, the Financial Times reported on Feb. 15, citing undisclosed sources.
Making sense of Trump’s plan – if there is one – to end Russia’s war in Ukraine
After pledging for months to swiftly end Russia’s war in Ukraine, U.S. President Donald Trump has started to take first steps toward peace negotiations this week. After holding a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Feb. 12, Trump declared that Ukraine peace talks were to start
Europe won't participate in peace negotiations, but its interests to be considered, Kellogg says
Speaking at the Munich Security Conference, Kellogg mentioned the Minsk II deal of 2015, saying that it involved "a lot of people" but didn't work out.
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