Ukraine

Hungary blocks $106 billion EU loan and sanctions as World Bank puts Ukraine's reconstruction bill at $588 billion.

Hungary froze $106 bn in EU aid for Ukraine two months after pledging not to. Zelenskyy sanctioned 225 shadow fleet captains from 11 countries. A suspected bomber was detained in Lviv after a double-tap attack killed a policewoman and injured 25.

Russia's troop numbers have flatlined at 711,000 for six months, and Ukraine is counterattacking where Moscow can't reinforce. Meanwhile, Trump renewed the full range of US sanctions for another year, and New Zealand designated 100 Russian shadow fleet vessels in its largest single-day action since 2022.

A leaked EU document circulated by top diplomat Kaja Kallas sets sweeping conditions for any Ukraine peace deal, demanding Russia hold free elections, withdraw forces from Belarus, Georgia, Armenia, and Transnistria, and remove nuclear weapons from Belarus.

Geneva peace talks hit a wall on 17–18 February after Russia replaced its negotiation chief with Kremlin propagandist Vladimir Medinsky, who analysts say was sent not to negotiate but to engineer a walkout and blame Ukraine.

The third round of negotiations expanded to include European representatives, while the Munich Security Conference marked a shift - treating Ukraine not just as a frontline state but as a core pillar of Europe's defense architecture.

Russia repositions bombers: the peace talks that look nothing like peace.

SBU says Alpha unit knocked out half of Russia's Pantsir air defense fleet, clearing paths for deep strikes, while Zelenskyy warns of intensifying aerial campaign targeting energy infrastructure.

Zelenskyy used the 62nd Munich Security Conference to announce a joint drone production facility with Germany, while Sweden confirmed Gripen fighters via EU funds and the US signaled readiness to ratify a binding security framework in Congress.

The Ramstein package targets air defense and unmanned systems, while Ukrainian drones strike an oil refinery near the Urals that Russia thought was out of reach.

NATO weapons program doubles funding to $4.5 billion.

Spain delivered a €37 million NATO-tested radar system to Ukraine after the US had long withheld the equipment.

Nearly 9,000 Kyiv residents are seeking warmth at heating points as the capital faces its worst electricity and heating crisis.

India's top three refiners stopped accepting Russian crude for March-April delivery after Trump imposed 25% tariffs on Indian imports. UK Royal Marines are "champing at the bit" to seize Russian shadow fleet tankers. Zelenskyy signed two sanctions decrees targeting entities across six countries — from Hong Kong to Panama — for funneling missile components and cash to Russia's weapons industry.

Commander-in-Chief Syrskyi disclosed previously unannounced offensives in Belgorod, Kursk, and Donetsk Oblast that derailed Moscow's 2025 strategy, while declaring Russian losses now exceed replacement capacity.

Europe rushes generators to Ukraine as thousands remain without heat amid –20°C freeze.