Zelensky: I blocked the agreement with Trump on mineral rights as it does not protect Ukraine interests.
Then he goes diplomatic. It must be legally correct regarding investments and security guarantees. I don’t yet see in the document. 1/
Zelensky about meeting in Saudi Arabia: I haven't seen any invitations for Ukraine to meet with envoys. We have no documents or negotiations with our strategic partners. Russia is not one of them. 2/
Zelensky: To defend against a potential Russian offensive, we need not 50, 100, or 300 thousand. European leaders understand this and are considering the financial implications. 3/
Losing the alliance between Europe and the U.S. would benefit only Putin and North Korea. 4/
Zelensky: If Putin only wants a ceasefire to ease his isolation, that’s not real peace. The U.S. holds key political power, and its approach to Russia matters. 5/
If Trump can push Putin toward genuine peace, we may achieve real security guarantees for the first time - if all sides, especially America, are ready. 6/
Zelensky: European leaders, once more skeptical than the U.S., are now more ready to support Ukraine. They understand the danger - Putin will come, not if he comes. 7/
He may test NATO, and without strong sanctions and unity between the EU and the U.S., that is very dangerous. 8/
Everyone needs to get used to the fact that Ukraine can no longer be told where to be. 9/
Zelensky: Strong security guarantees are not possible without U.S. Troops on the borders or front lines must include U.S. and European partners. 10/
Without the U.S, it’s weak. The number of troops matters, and for now, Europe alone is not enough. 11/
Zelensky on elections: No one raises this issue at a high level, except Putin, sometimes the U.S. Everyone understands our law and the consequences. 12/
The shift to a contract army was the right step, aligning with U.S. practices. This war isn’t just about manpower but advanced weapons. Now it's about drones, not just tanks. 13/
Zelensky: North Korea involvement in war is global threat. They’ve gained experience in missiles, drones, and electronic warfare, and they will use it. 14/
Distance no longer matters - missiles and drones fly thousands of kilometers. If Russia wins, others will follow. We must defend values and protect every country, no matter its size. 15/
Zelensky: The U.S. needs to see the reality of this war firsthand, without outside influence. I invited Mr. Kellogg to the front to witness it himself and speak with our commanders. 16/
I want him to bring this understanding to President Trump. After that, we can discuss concrete steps toward our goals. 17X
Thank you for reading. If you want to support Ukraine and our work through education, please consider donating to a scholarship for war affected students
Thank you for reading. If you want to support Ukraine and our work through education, please consider donating to a scholarship for war affected students
The EU may give Ukraine EU-level protections before full membership
The EU is weighing a peace-deal formula that grants Kyiv early access to EU membership rights and safeguards, locking in a time-bound path to full accession, possibly by 2027 — Bloomberg.
1/
One option would grant Ukraine up-front accession protections, legal, economic, and regulatory safeguards, plus immediate access to selected EU rights, before formal membership.
2/
At the same time, the EU would lock in a time-bound accession roadmap, fixed steps and deadlines, replacing today’s open-ended process that can stall for years.
3/
Shot and bleeding in a dugout, Ukrainian soldier convinced his Russian captors to surrender.
Volodymyr Aleksandrov lay wounded in hand and pelvis as an FPV mine blocked the entrance and drones hunted above. “If I was going to die, I would take them with me” — Hromadske. 1/
Russian troops ambushed Aleksandrov and his partner while they collected food dropped by drone.
Russians fired from a house, wounded him, argued over killing him, then kept him alive to register a live prisoner for money. 2/
Russians carried Aleksandrov into the dugout and stepped on their own FPV mine.
The blast tore off part of one soldier’s leg, wounded another, and hit Aleksandrov again — shrapnel wounded his shoulder and ear and left him concussed. 3/
Russia gave its main security agency legal power to shut down internet and phone service nationwide. Like in Iran: cut the web when protests erupt.
If crowds fill Moscow’s streets, the switch is ready — United24.
1/
The State Duma passed the law on Jan. 27.
The UK Ministry of Defence says it lets the FSB order total communication blackouts for vaguely defined “security threats,” with no clear limits and no oversight.
2/
The order takes effect immediately.
Telecom operators must cut internet, mobile, landline, and messaging services the moment the FSB demands it — no court order, no appeal.
3/
Beevor, British historian: We are seeing a fresh conflict developing, a second Cold war, with Putin and the rise of China and the threat from Xi.
It is an extension of the Cold War, but also a new era of geopolitics, a split between authoritarianism and democracy. 1/
Beevor: In second Cold War, geopolitics are changing so rapidly. Russian and Chinese leaders used to stick with agreements. We’re not seeing that anymore. We cannot trust Putin to stick to anything he says. It will be seen as one of the greatest self-inflicted disasters in history. 2/
Beevor: We are not going to see a 1917 February revolution in the streets. That’s impossible because a revolution depends on the collapse of willpower of the ruling elite. They know they’ve got nowhere to go except perhaps for Qatar or Dubai into exile. 3X