President Zelenskyy, in an interview with ARD, criticized what he perceives as US rhetoric aimed at appeasing Putin and hastening a peace deal, even at the cost of Ukrainian territorial concessions. He firmly stated Ukraine will not cede legally recognized territory and expressed confidence in reclaiming all occupied lands, emphasizing the importance of upholding international law. Zelenskyy also highlighted the need for NATO membership to be included in any negotiations and disagreed with assessments suggesting that regaining the 2014 borders is unrealistic. He further asserted that a ceasefire, without the restoration of Ukrainian sovereignty, is not a genuine success.
Read More
Mordechai Brafman, 27, faces two counts of attempted second-degree murder after allegedly firing seventeen shots from a semiautomatic handgun at a vehicle in Miami Beach. Brafman, who claimed to have targeted Palestinians, mistakenly shot two Israeli tourists, Ari Rabey and his father. Despite the victims’ reported anti-Arab social media posts, the Council on American-Islamic Relations is calling for federal hate crime charges, citing the incident as an example of anti-Palestinian sentiment. Brafman remains in custody at the Miami-Dade correctional center.
Read More
In response to a U.S. request, European nations have indicated a potential contribution of 25,000 to 30,000 troops for a peacekeeping mission in Ukraine, contingent upon a ceasefire. This force, comprised of several brigades, would primarily serve as a deterrent to renewed Russian aggression, positioned away from active combat zones. France is poised to be the largest contributor, with an estimated 10,000 troops. However, resource limitations and hesitancy remain among some European nations.
Read More
Canada is seeking to procure up to twelve new conventionally powered submarines by 2035 to replace its aging fleet and enhance national defence capabilities. Germany and Norway, jointly developing the 212 CD submarine, offer Canada early access to the production line, allowing expedited delivery. The 212 CD boasts stealth capabilities and is designed for under-ice operations, addressing concerns about potential threats from adversaries. This procurement is driven by a need for improved national defence in light of evolving geopolitical circumstances and the unreliability of certain allies.
Read More
The U.S. proposed a deal to Ukraine offering security guarantees, including potential troop deployment, in exchange for 50% of its rare earth minerals. This proposal, presented by Treasury Secretary Bessent, was deemed a “memorandum,” not a formal security agreement, by President Zelensky, who requested further review. While Zelensky hasn’t signed, he has previously indicated openness to resource partnerships for security guarantees. Trump further claimed an “essential agreement” on a $500 billion resource deal.
Read More
Behind-the-scenes at the Munich Security Conference, the US pressured Ukraine to immediately sign a proposed mineral resources deal in exchange for a meeting with Vice President JD Vance, threatening to cancel the meeting otherwise. Kyiv refused to sign the US’s proposed version of the agreement, rejecting proposed amendments. Despite this refusal, the meeting proceeded as planned after the US dropped its demand. The initial US request was interpreted by Ukraine as a figurative expression of urgency, but proved to be a literal precondition for the meeting. Zelenskyy’s refusal to sign under pressure ultimately led to constructive dialogue.
Read More
European leaders will convene in Paris on Monday to coordinate their response to the Trump administration’s exclusion of Europe from U.S.-Russia talks on ending the war in Ukraine. The meeting, including key EU members, the UK, and NATO, aims to address European security concerns arising from potential peace deals negotiated without Ukrainian or European input. Zelenskyy has firmly rejected any agreement excluding Ukraine, while concerns persist that a deal could undermine Kyiv and broader European security. Discussions will likely focus on formulating a unified European approach, potentially including a joint envoy and exploring the possibility of contributing peacekeeping troops to secure a future ceasefire.
Read More
Ukraine and the UAE formalized an economic partnership agreement on Monday, establishing free trade. President Zelenskyy’s subsequent trip to Turkey and Saudi Arabia is unrelated to concurrent U.S.-Russia talks in Riyadh, though he intends to inquire about their progress. While Zelenskyy supports European involvement in future negotiations to pressure Russia for peace, both Moscow and Washington have rejected this proposal, citing differing priorities for their bilateral discussions. The Kremlin emphasized that its focus is on rebuilding U.S.-Russia relations and laying the groundwork for potential Ukraine negotiations.
Read More
Intercepting Hamas communications, Channel 12 revealed that early 2024 humanitarian aid intended for Gaza citizens was diverted to Hamas leaders. These recordings, reportedly shared with the US, detail Hamas’s close ties to UNRWA and internal disputes over aid distribution. Junior operatives complained of aid shortages while facing threats and violence from superiors for raising concerns. The intercepted conversations exposed deep resentment towards the Hamas leadership for prioritizing self-interest over the needs of its own people.
Read More
Sky News captured footage of Russian ships Sparta and Sparta 2, sanctioned by the US in 2022, transiting the English Channel on February 13th. These vessels, owned by a Russian Ministry of Defence company, transported military equipment evacuated from Syria following the Assad regime’s fall. The British Navy’s RFA Tideforce shadowed the Russian ships, which were accompanied by the armed Russian naval ship RFS Aleksandr Otrakovskiy. This equipment was likely moved from Russia’s now-abandoned Tartus naval base.
Read More
John Q. Hosedrinker