Zelensky's 'victory plan' and Biden's long-range strike dilemma | Ukraine This Week

12:15 AM

Official denies Ukraine will participate in Russia-US meeting in Saudi Arabia.

Mykhailo Podolyak, an advisor to President Volodymyr Zelensky, denied on Feb. 15 that Ukraine will participate in an upcoming meeting between Russia and the United States in Saudi Arabia.

11:25 PM

Senior US diplomat visits Belarus, three political prisoners released, NYT reports.

U.S. Deputy Assistant State Secretary Christopher W. Smith visited Belarus alongside two other U.S. officials in an unannounced meeting on Feb. 12, the New York Times reported, potentially ending Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko's isolation from the West.

10:49 PM

As little as 1,000 Russian troops left in Transnistria, Zelensky says.

Russian-controlled Transnistria has hosted Russian forces for decades following the collapse of the Soviet Union. Russian troops have guarded the region, stalling any attempts for reintegration with Moldova.

10:09 PM

Trump team heading to Saudi Arabia for talks with Russia, Politico reports.

Senior U.S. officials are heading to Saudi Arabia for peace talks with Russian and Ukrainian representatives, Politico reported on Feb. 15, citing a Republican lawmaker and two U.S. officials familiar with the meeting.

9:43 PM

State Secretary Rubio holds phone call with Russia's Lavrov.

"Both sides expressed a mutual willingness to engage on key international issues, including the situation in Ukraine," the readout from the Russian Foreign Ministry read. "Lavrov and Rubio reaffirmed their readiness to work together to restore a mutually respectful interstate dialogue in line with the tone set by the presidents."

8:51 PM

'You can't kill your way out of this war' — Kellogg calls for sanctions against Russia's shadow fleet, concessions from Ukraine to end war.

U.S. President Donald Trump's special envoy for Ukraine and Russia, Keith Kellogg, attended a panel discussion during the Munich Security Conference on Feb. 15 where he called for the the U.S. to implement additional sanctions on Russia's "shadow fleet," while also calling for concessions from both countries to secure a peace deal.

6:56 PM

Politics

What's at stake for Poroshenko, ex-president sanctioned by Zelensky?

6:44 PM

Peace Negotiations

Making sense of Trump’s plan – if there is one – to end Russia’s war in Ukraine

6:41 PM

Ukraine 'not ready' to sign mineral resource agreement with US, Zelensky says.

Ukraine is not yet ready to sign a mineral resource agreement with the United States, President Volodymyr Zelensky said at a news conference at the Munich Security Conference, stating that the agreement "was not ready to protect" Ukraine and its interests.

5:58 PM

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.

5:14 PM

Russia must withdraw to at least pre-2022 front line, Zelensky says.

Zelensky told Newsmax that U.S. President Donald Trump could end Russia's war if Europe supports his plan.

4:30 PM

Europe quietly developing plan to send peacekeeping troops to Ukraine, AP reports.

Estonia's Defense Minister Hanno Pevklur said that European allies are "in a very early stage" of developing the plan to deploy peacekeeping troops to Ukraine.

3:20 PM

Ukraine, Germany agree to open 'Unity Hub' for Ukrainian refugees in Berlin.

"The signing of the Joint Declaration of Intent to open the Ukrainian 'Unity Hub' in Berlin is an important step to support our citizens abroad. This is a professional space that brings together community, business, and cultural initiatives," National Unity Minister Oleksii Chernyshov said.

2:16 PM

Almost 250,000 Russian soldiers killed in Ukraine war, Zelensky says.

President Volodymyr Zelensky claimed that Moscow lost nearly 20,000 soldiers in the battles for Russia's Kursk Oblast alone.

1:55 PM

Munich Security Conference

'Putin is weak. We must use that' — Zelensky's Munich speech in 5 key quotes

12:30 PM

US wants to get 50% of Ukrainian minerals, may deploy its troops to guard them, NBC reports.

President Volodymyr Zelensky hasn't yet signed the document, calling it "a memorandum," not a security agreement.

11:50 AM

Zelensky calls for creation of 'army of Europe' amid US support uncertainty.

"Let's be clear: We cannot rule out the possibility that America may refuse to cooperate with Europe on issues that threaten it," Volodymyr Zelensky said at the Munich Security Conference.

10:36 AM

Russian attacks across Ukraine kill 3, injure 12 over past day.

Russian forces launched 70 drones from the Russian cities of Orel, Millerovo, and Primosk-Akhtarsk, as well as from Cape Chauda in occupied Crimea, at Ukraine overnight, according to Ukraine's Air Force.

9:33 AM

General Staff: Russia has lost 856,660 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022.

This number includes 1,180 casualties Russian forces suffered just over the past day.

6:38 AM  (Updated:  February 15, 2025 7:53 am)

Drone strike causes blaze at Russian industrial site in Kaluga Oblast, governor claims.

"On the territory of an industrial enterprise in the Dzerzhinsky district, as a result of a UAV crash, a fire broke out in one of the buildings," Governor Vladislav Shapsha reported.

5:40 AM  (Updated:  February 15, 2025 7:42 am)

Drones hit apartment building, target oil refinery in Volgograd, Russian media says.

Local residents reported hearing over 15 explosions as drones targeted an oil refinery in the Krasnoarmeysky district of the city.

7:34 AM

'No point trying to negotiate' with Putin, Yulia Navalnaya says.

"Even if you decided to negotiate with Putin, just remember he will lie," Yulia Navalnaya, widow of the late Russian dissident Alexei Navalny, said at the Munich Security Conference two days before the anniversary of her husband's death.

4:55 AM

Zelensky, Macron discuss Europe's role in Ukraine's security guarantees.

The two leaders discussed how European partners can coordinate with the U.S. and Ukraine to bring about a just peace, particularly focusing on "security guarantees and proposals of France."

3:53 AM

'It doesn't advance American interests' — JD Vance walks back WSJ comments on US troops in Ukraine.

Even though Vance refused to say that deploying U.S. troops in Ukraine was off the table, he later accused the outlet of "twisting (his) words."

2:53 AM

Ukraine's survival hinges on US military support, Zelensky tells NBC News.

Volodymyr Zelensky said on Feb. 14 that it would be "very, very, very difficult" for Ukraine to sustain its fight against Russia and remain secure in the long term without American support.