'Crazy' Putin could attack NATO in 2026, Russia building up troops in Belarus, Zelensky says
President Volodymyr Zelensky said that Russia plans to deploy 15 divisions, totaling 100,000 to 150,000 troops, primarily in Belarus.
NATO
Starmer reiterates UK's support for Ukraine's NATO membership following US dismissal
"My position is the NATO position," U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer told reporters on Feb. 13. "This was discussed at the summit that we had last year in Washington, where it was agreed amongst all NATO members that there should be an irreversible path of Ukraine to NATO membership."
Ukraine war latest: Russia preparing delegation for US talks on war with Kyiv, Kremlin says
Key developments on Feb. 13: * Russia preparing delegation for U.S. talks on war with Ukraine, consider Minsk "experience," Kremlin says * Russia's largest steel mill reportedly targeted by "massive" Ukrainian drone strike * NATO "taking over" Ukraine's security assistance, military training, Umerov says * Ukrainian drones again hit oil pumping station in
NATO 'taking over' Ukraine's security assistance, military training, Umerov says
The remarks come amid ongoing uncertainty over U.S. aid commitments to Ukraine.
Trump announces first meeting with Putin to take place in Saudi Arabia
"We'll meet in Saudi Arabia," U.S. President Donald Trump told reporters at the White House following his conversation with both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelensky.
'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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Russia may find opportunity to launch large-scale war on Europe within 5 years, Danish intelligence warns
Russia may find the opportunity to launch a large-scale war on Europe within five years, if Moscow "perceives NATO as militarily weakened or politically divided," an unclassified intelligence assessment from the Danish Defense Intelligence Service (DDIS) warned.
The Baltic Sea’s energy infrastructure is under attack. NATO must act
The European Union and NATO must strengthen cooperation to protect critical energy infrastructure from attacks, which pose a growing threat to European stability. The Kremlin, with its history of weaponizing energy, remains a prime suspect. NATO must properly secure the Baltic Sea — the so-called NATO lake. The Baltic states achieved
Russia says its undersea telecom cable in Baltic Sea damaged by 'external impact'
The damage comes amid a series of recent disruptions to undersea telecom and power cables in the Baltic Sea. Western experts and officials have accused Russia of engaging in hybrid warfare against countries supporting Ukraine.
NATO military chair visits Ukraine, discusses continued support with Zelensky
President Volodymyr Zelensky and NATO Military Committee Chair Giuseppe Cavo Dragone discussed enhancing coordination of military aid under the Security Assistance and Training for Ukraine framework, a command plan focused on allocating and managing military support.
Ukraine should receive nuclear weapons if NATO entry is delayed, Zelensky says
President Volodymyr Zelensky acknowledged that Ukraine's NATO accession could be delayed "for years or decades," raising the question of how the country would defend itself.
UK to provide more military aid to Ukraine this year than ever before, Starmer says
"We must do all that we can to support Ukraine's defense," U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Feb. 3. Starmer pledged to ramp up pressure on Russia in order to "crush Putin's war machine."
Russia used US banks to send billions to Turkey, dodging sanctions, WSJ reports
A U.S. Justice Department investigation found that Russia funneled billions of dollars through American banks to Turkey in 2022, using the Akkuyu nuclear power plant project as cover to evade sanctions, according to the Wall Street Journal (WSJ).
'Putin will never try again after this' — NATO chief has 'secret' ideas for Ukraine peace talks
NATO Chief Mark Rutte also insisted Ukraine was not losing the war against Russia.
Ukraine's NATO membership 'cheapest' security guarantee, 'victory' for Trump, Zelensky tells AP
"It will be a signal that it is not for Russia to decide who should be in NATO and who should not, but for the United States of America to decide. I think this is a great victory for Trump."
Poland scrambles jets, puts air defense on high alert during Russian missile attack on Ukraine
Polish and other allied aircraft were quickly mobilized on Feb. 1 in response to a large-scale missile attack by Russia on western Ukraine, Poland's Armed Forces reported on X.
Lithuania's president calls for Ukraine's involvement in peace talks, stronger regional defense against Russia, AP reports
In an interview with the Associated Press, Gitanas Nauseda warned that a peace settlement without proper deterrents would allow Russia to consolidate its forces and prepare for further military action.
50% of Poles oppose Ukraine's EU, NATO membership until Volyn issue resolved, poll shows
Half of Poles believe Ukraine should not join NATO or the EU until the issue of exhuming Volyn massacre victims is resolved, according to a new poll published on Jan. 30.
Europe’s inaction on undersea infrastructure is a security time bomb
Following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, concerns over the security of energy and communication infrastructure in the Baltic Sea intensified. Initially, focus was placed on the threat of hybrid attacks from Russia. However, it became evident that Russian military vessels and so-called "research" ships were actively mapping the
NATO on track to send Kyiv over $40 billion in 2025
"Allies are on track to deliver on the pledge made at the Washington summit," a NATO press statement said following a meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council on Jan. 29.
Slavoj Zizek: Leftists falsify the choice that Ukrainians face during wartime
In times of war, the fundamental questions of survival, morality, and identity not only dominate the discourse but also expose the fissures in global political ideologies. Amid the clamor of media narratives and entrenched partisan frameworks, a few voices manage to rise above the fray, offering incisive critiques and grappling
'Stupid, illogical' — Zelensky blasts Ukraine for relinquishing nuclear arms without strong security guarantees
"It was necessary to exchange (nuclear arms) for real security guarantees, and at the time, that was only NATO. And to be honest, today, it is only NATO," President Zelensky said in an interview with the Italian newspaper Il Foglio.
Lithuania, Estonia pledge 5% defense spending, following Trump's call, FT reports
Lithuania's Foreign Minister Kestutis Budrys reportedly described the shift as part of a "new era. " Vilnius committed to spending between 5% and 6% of its GDP on defense annually until at least 2030. Estonia followed suit, pledging to raise defense spending from 3.7% of GDP to 5%.
Trump serious about annexing Greenland, aggressive with Danish PM, FT reports
Trump's territorial ambitions and disregard for international norms are "serious, and potentially very dangerous," a senior European Official told the Financial Times.
US arms exports reach record $318 billion in 2024 driven by Ukraine-related demand
The State Department described arms sales and transfers as "important U.S. foreign policy tools with potential long-term implications for regional and global security."
'Utter bulls***' — Ukraine rejects Russia's demand to abandon NATO membership promise
The response comes after Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko criticized NATO's 2008 Bucharest Summit declaration, calling it "catastrophic for European security."
Withdraw Bucharest pledge — Russia says ban on Ukraine’s NATO accession 'key' condition for resolving war
Moscow sees a ban on Ukraine’s entry to NATO as a key condition in resolving the Russia-Ukraine war, the pro-Kremlin news agency Interfax reported on Jan. 24, citing Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko.
'Uncontrolled escalation' — Russia opposes NATO peacekeepers in Ukraine
"The intervention of NATO troops in Ukraine is categorically unacceptable for Russia, it will turn into uncontrolled escalation," Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova claimed.
