Ukraine Business Roundup

6:39 PM

Opinion

Europe can no longer view Trump’s foreign policy through a binary lens

6:26 PM

US is Russia's 'main counterpart' in talks to end war, Kremlin says.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said that Kyiv "will definitely take part in the negotiations in one way or another," but there will also be a "bilateral Russian-American track."

5:45 PM

'Not very pleasant' — Zelensky comments on Trump calling Putin first.

"I don't perceive this call as it was a priority that he (Trump) talked to Russia first. Although it's not very pleasant," President Volodymyr Zelensky said.

3:44 PM

NATO 'taking over' Ukraine's security assistance, military training, Umerov says.

The remarks come amid ongoing uncertainty over U.S. aid commitments to Ukraine.

11:10 AM  (Updated:  February 13, 2025 3:24 pm)

'We cannot defend ourselves' — Russian drones crash, explode in Moldova during attack on Ukraine.

"Russian drones and bombs are falling and exploding in our villages. And we must recognize that we cannot defend ourselves against them," Moldovan President Maia Sandu said.

3:00 PM

Trump says talks with Zelensky, Putin were 'great,' optimistic about ending 'very bloody war'.

"Great talks with Russia and Ukraine yesterday. Good possibility of ending that horrible, very bloody war," Trump wrote on Truth Social.

2:11 PM

EU cannot replace USAID funding but sees opportunity to boost visibility, Kallas says.

"We agreed that we are not automatically filling the void with European money because, first, we don't have those funds," Kallas said.

1:46 PM

Opinion

Dmytro Kuleba: Trump’s rare earth deal risks Ukraine repeating history’s mistakes

1:35 PM

1 killed, 20 injured in Russian attacks across Ukraine over past day.

Russian attacks on multiple Ukrainian regions killed at least one civilian and injured 20 over the past day, regional authorities reported on Feb. 10.

1:28 PM

Europe fears bearing Ukraine's post-war costs amid exclusion from US-Russia talks, FT reports.

European nations fear they will be left to shoulder the costs of post-war security and reconstruction in Ukraine as they remain excluded from U.S.-Russia talks on ending the war, the Financial Times reported on Feb. 13, citing senior European officials.

12:24 PM

Zelensky approves sanctions against ex-President Poroshenko, oligarchs, businessmen.

The sanctions freeze all assets held by the targeted individuals in Ukraine and block them from conducting financial transactions, among other restrictions.

12:13 PM

Russia preparing delegation for US talks on war with Ukraine, consider Minsk 'experience', Kremlin says.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said that "work will be started quickly."

11:58 AM

Russia's largest steel mill reportedly targeted by 'massive' Ukrainian drone strike.

The drones allegedly targeted the Novolipetsk Steel (NLMK) which produces about 20% of the country's steel output, according to pro-Kremlin media outlet Shot.

9:38 AM

China proposes to host Trump-Putin talks without Ukraine's Zelensky, WSJ reports.

The White House declined to confirm whether it had received China's proposal but reportedly dismissed it as "not viable at all."

9:32 AM

Opinion

Trump has the economic tools to end Russia’s war. He should use them

8:50 AM

US special envoy Kellogg to visit Kyiv as part of European tour, State Department confirms.

While in Ukraine, Keith Kellogg is expected to meet with officials and civilians affected by nearly three years of war, the announcement said.

8:17 AM

General Staff: Russia has lost 854,280 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022.

This number includes 1,250 casualties Russian forces suffered just over the past day.

7:14 AM

Russian attacks on Sumy Oblast injure 5.

Russia attacked 13 communities in Sumy Oblast on Feb. 12, injuring five people, the Sumy Oblast Military Administration reported.

5:35 AM

Putin holds first call with Syria's transitional president, pledges support and future cooperation.

Russian President Vladimir Putin held his first official phone conversation on Feb. 12 with Syria’s new leader, Ahmad al-Sharaa, following the fall of former President Bashar al-Assad.

4:11 AM

Netherlands to supply Ukraine with 25 YPR armored medical evacuation vehicles.

The Netherlands will soon send Ukraine 25 YPR armored vehicles, the Dutch Defense Ministry reported after the Ramstein-format meeting in Brussels on Feb. 12.

3:05 AM

Oil prices drop 2% as Trump takes first step toward Ukraine peace talks, Reuters reports.

Oil prices dropped more than 2% on Feb. 12 after U.S. President Donald Trump took a significant step toward ending the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, which has contributed to higher oil prices due to concerns over global supply disruptions.

1:30 AM

'Surrender & betrayal' — US, EU officials condemn Trump, Hegseth's comments on Ukraine peace negotiations.

Senator Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn. said on Feb. 12 that "to prevent Putin from dining in Kyiv, we need to mobilize the bipartisan Congressional coalition standing with Ukraine."

12:38 AM

Russia's military spending surpasses Europe's as Putin ramps up war budget, study finds.

In 2024, Russia’s total defense expenditures surged by 42% in real terms, reaching 13.1 trillion rubles. When adjusted for purchasing power parity—which accounts for differences in what money can buy in different countries—this amounts to $462 billion.

11:09 PM

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.

10:49 PM

War update

Ukraine war latest: Trump holds talks with Zelensky and Putin, says negotiations to end war in Ukraine to start 'immediately'