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
Western intelligence shows Putin not ready for 'real peace,' NBC News reports
Russian President Vladimir Putin still wants to occupy all of Ukraine and thinks he can outlast Ukraine and Europe in its armed aggression, unnamed intelligence officials said.
'Massive demolition site' — Trump claims Ukraine in ruins while pressing Zelensky to hold elections
Trump alleged without evidence that Zelensky holds a "4% approval rating" in Ukraine and blamed his leadership, not Putin's, for "allow(ing) the war to go on."
Trump 'much more confident' in peace deal after 'very good' US-Russia talks
U.S. President Donald Trump claimed on Feb. 18 that Russia was prepared to end the "barbarianism" in Ukraine.
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.
Saudi Arabia wanted Ukraine represented at US-Russia talks, Bloomberg reports
U.S. and Russian officials reportedly insisted to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman that they wanted to hold the meeting without Ukrainians.
Plokhy argues in Chornobyl occupation book that Russia’s nuclear blackmail is ‘warning for the future’
The specter of nuclear war cast a long shadow over the 20th century, serving as a reminder of humanity's capacity for self-destruction. Now, as the world seems to shrug off Russia’s nuclear saber-rattling against Ukraine — and by extension, all of humanity — a haunting question calls for an answer: Have
Why Putin will be ‘very happy’ with today's US-Russia talks on Ukraine peace
Russia on Feb. 18 ended years of political isolation sparked by its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, as a delegation of Kremlin officials met with their U.S. counterparts in Saudi Arabia to discuss how to end the very war it started. The talks ended with little in the way of
Ukraine Reforms Tracker Weekly — Issue 14
Editor’s note: This is issue 14 of Ukrainian lawmaker Yaroslav Zhelezniak’s weekly "Ukraine Reforms Tracker" covering events from Feb. 10–Feb. 16, 2025. The digest highlights steps taken in the Ukrainian parliament related to business, economics, and international financial programs. The Kyiv Independent is republishing with permission. Benchmarks
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
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.
‘Russians didn’t like him’ — Why Trump's envoy Kellogg was sidelined from Russia talks
As U.S.-Russian talks on ending the war in Ukraine kicked off in Saudi Arabia on Feb. 18, Keith Kellogg, U.S. President Donald Trump's special envoy for Russia and Ukraine, appears to have been partially sidelined from the negotiations. Kellogg will focus on talks with Ukraine and Europe,
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
EU must take Russia sanctions into 'its own hands,' commissioner says
The European Union must take greater control of its sanctions policy against Russia as U.S. priorities shift, EU Economy and Trade Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis said on Feb. 18.
Turkey 'ideal host' for peace talks on Russia-Ukraine war, Erdogan says
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan highlighted Turkey's previous mediation efforts, including the Black Sea grain deal, which enabled Ukrainian agricultural exports until Russia withdrew in 2023.
Russia's Lavrov denies 3-point peace plan, warns against Western peacekeepers in Ukraine
The alleged plan, which reportedly includes a ceasefire, elections in Ukraine, and a final peace agreement, was revealed by Fox News Senior White House Correspondent Jacqui Heinrich on X.
Zelensky postpones Saudi Arabia visit amid Russia-US talks
"We were not invited to this Russian-American meeting in Saudi Arabia. It was a surprise for us. I don't want any coincidences, so I'm not going to Saudi Arabia," President Volodymyr Zelensky said.
A ceasefire in Ukraine could end martial law — what would lifting restrictions mean?
For nearly three years, all of Ukraine has been living under martial law. The introduction of martial law temporarily suspended some civilian rights and freedoms and gave the government additional emergency powers in order to fight off Russia’s invasion. Mandatory curfews keep people off the streets at night. Elections
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."
Putin ready for talks with Zelensky, Kremlin says, repeats false 'legitimacy' claims
Russia has widely used the claim that Volodymyr Zelensky is illegitimate in its propaganda to discredit the Ukrainian government.
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.
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.
'Now is a critical moment' — EU chief von der Leyen meets Kellogg to discuss Ukraine
Ursula von der Leyen discussed the situation in Ukraine with Keith Kellogg on the day when talks on ending the war between Russia and the U.S. began in Riyadh.
Alternatives to Trump's Russia appeasement
U.S. President Donald Trump says he wants to bring peace to Ukraine. But his approach cannot work, because it fails to address the problem of security guarantees. There will be no peace as long as Ukraine must face Russia on its own. But perhaps this flaw can be overcome.
Russian attacks across Ukraine kill 2, injure 26 over past day
Russian forces launched 176 drones from the Russian cities of Orel, Bryansk, Kursk, Shatalovo, Millerovo, Primosk-Akhtarsk, and Russian-occupied Crimea at Ukraine overnight, according to Ukraine's Air Force.
'Europe is ready and willing to step up' — Rutte on security guarantees for Ukraine
Europe is ready and willing to take a leadership role in providing Ukraine with security guarantees, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte wrote on Feb. 17 on X.
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.
Ukrainian draft officer injured during violent attack in Lviv Oblast
A Ukrainian draft officer was injured in a violently attack on Feb. 17 in the city of Zhovkva in Lviv Oblast while escorting two mobilized individuals to a medical evaluation.
Media investigation identifies over 93,000 Russian soldiers killed in Ukraine
The BBC and the independent outlet Mediazona have identified the names of 93,641 Russian soldiers who have been killed during the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
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