United States

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'

10:38 PM

Zelensky imposes sanctions against ex-President Poroshenko, former president says.

"Everyone who destroyed the national security of Ukraine and helped Russia must be held accountable (for their actions)," President Volodymyr Zelensky said, without specifying who exactly would be penalized and what that would mean.

9:58 PM

Ukrainian armed forces

We asked young Ukrainians what would make them sign up for the armed forces

9:56 PM

Trump & Ukraine

Trump says peace talks to start 'immediately.' But what terms would be acceptable for Ukraine?

9:20 PM

US to release Russian cybercrime boss in exchange for American schoolteacher Marc Fogel, Reuters reports.

Alexander Vinnik, a Russian cybercrime boss who was serving a prison sentence in the U.S., will be released in exchange for the return of American teacher Marc Fogel, Reuters reported on Feb. 12, citing an unnamed U.S. official.

7:55 PM

'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.

7:53 PM

Trump holds talks with Zelensky following his 1.5-hour-long conversation with Putin.

"The conversation went very well. He, like President (Vladimir) Putin, wants to make peace. We discussed a variety of topics having to do with the war, but mostly, the meeting that is being set up on Friday in Munich, where Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio will lead the delegation," U.S. President Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social.

7:44 PM

US Senate confirms Ukraine-skeptic Tulsi Gabbard as director of national intelligence.

The U.S. Senate voted to confirm Tulsi Gabbard as director of national intelligence on Feb. 10. The former lawmaker has previously blamed NATO for Russia's war against Ukraine, and faced scrutiny for her controversial foreign policy views.

7:30 PM

Trump holds call with Putin, says Ukraine peace negotiations to start 'immediately.'

In a post on Truth Social, Trump said both agreed that "we want to stop the millions of deaths taking place in the War with Russia/Ukraine."

7:03 PM

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.

7:02 PM

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.

5:40 PM

Ukraine Business Roundup — Trump tariffs hit to Ukraine's steel industry

5:23 PM

Video

Russia's growing shadow fleet sends a dangerous signal, expert warns.

Russia has resorted to a "shadow fleet" to transport its oil and gas to get around Western sanctions and price caps. The Kyiv Independent spoke with Elisabeth Braw, a senior fellow with the Atlantic Council's Transatlantic Security Initiative, to find out what options the West has and how dangerous the shadow fleet actually is.

5:14 PM

Opinion

Kyiv and Washington’s mobilization age blame game misses the point

4:14 PM

Mixed reactions as Ukraine introduces 1-year military contract for young volunteers.

The contract includes basic general military training, vocational training, and an adaptation course in an army unit. Volunteers will receive a one-time monetary aid payment of Hr 1 million ($24,000) and a monthly allowance of up to Hr 120,000 ($3,000).

4:04 PM

Ukrainian draft officer attacked at Kharkiv military enlistment office.

The attacker reportedly used a gas spray and stabbed the serviceman, who is now receiving medical care with no threat to his life.

3:48 PM

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.

4:56 AM  (Updated:  February 12, 2025 3:15 pm)

Russian ballistic missile attack on Kyiv kills 1, injures 4.

Russia launched a missile attack against Kyiv on the morning of Feb. 12, killing one person and injuring four others, including a child.