President Zelensky wants a personal meeting with Putin and instructed the Ukrainian delegation in Geneva to work on it, Axios reports. According to the outlet, US mediators proposed that Ukrainian troops withdraw from part of Donbas to create a demilitarized free economic zone, with sovereignty over the territory still undefined.
President Zelensky said the United States has not issued licenses for the production of Patriot air defense missiles in Europe despite promises. He said all Ukrainian diplomats and Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov must be as active as possible to achieve results in supplying air defense missiles to Ukraine.
The leader of Niger’s military junta claimed northern Benin is occupied by Ukrainian and French forces. Earlier Nigerien sources alleged Ukrainian instructors were training Tuareg and jihadist groups in drone based mining operations in Mauritania and Niger. Relations between Niger and Benin have been tense since the July 2023 coup, with border closures and disputes over sanctions and oil transit.
French Foreign Minister Jean Noël Barrot said oil tanker Grinch will leave French waters after paying several million euros and three weeks of costly detention in Fos sur Mer. He said bypassing European sanctions has a price and Russia cannot fund its war with a shadow fleet near French shores.
Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov said over 7,000 unmanned ground vehicle missions were carried out in January, mostly logistics tasks on the front line previously performed by soldiers under fire. He said production and procurement will increase this year, communication and control systems will improve, and 13 UGV models are available to units on Brave1 Market.
President Zelensky said Major General of the SBU Oleksandr Poklad delivered a report, after which he ordered efforts to cleanse the Security Service of Ukraine of individuals serving not state but foreign interests. Further details were not disclosed at this time.
Politico published symbolic awards following the Munich Security Conference, naming EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas for Worst Poker Face. She was seen pressing her lips and puffing her cheeks as US UN ambassador Mike Waltz praised Washington for ending several wars. The reaction spread quickly online.
President Zelensky said intelligence has information that Russia is preparing a massive strike. After a meeting on the situation in the regions, he stated that even ahead of three party talks in Geneva, Russian forces continue attacks on Ukraine. Zelensky commanded the Air Force commander, the defense minister and the head of Ukrenergo to prepare additional protection measures.
The EU is softening criticism of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban ahead of the April 12 election, the Financial Times reports. EU officials are avoiding comments that could be seen as interference and do not want to bolster his anti Brussels campaign. Budapest may receive about 2.4 billion euros in new EU defense funds. Polls show Peter Magyar’s Tisza party leading Fidesz by around 10 points.
President Zelensky warned that allowing Russia to seize territory would repeat mistakes made since 2014 and earlier conflicts. He said Putin cannot be stopped with concessions and claimed Russia is losing 30,000 to 35,000 troops a month. Zelensky called for full sanctions, including against Rosatom and Russia’s entire energy sector.
Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto says Ukraine refuses to restart oil transit through the Druzhba pipeline for political reasons. Together with Slovak Economy Minister Denisa Sakova, he sent a letter to Croatia requesting transport of Russian oil to Hungary and Slovakia via the Adria pipeline, citing their sanctions exemption for sea imports if pipeline deliveries are disrupted.
🇦🇷 Work, Work. Footage shows protests across #Argentina after President Javier Milei enacted sweeping labor reforms that lengthen the workday by 50% and allow employers to offset wages with food and housing.- 12-hour workdays- No more 30-day vacations- No more overtime pay- Sick leave cut in halfFollow us -> LiveLeak
🇺🇸 Students in Aurora, #Illinois assaulted a man for holding a Trump sign by their anti-ICE school walkout.They allegedly also threw rocks, water bottles, and shoes at himWhere did these kids learn this behavior?Follow us -> LiveLeak
President Zelensky met North Macedonian Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski to discuss the frontline, Russian strikes, defense cooperation and diplomacy. Zelensky thanked North Macedonia for supporting Ukraine and contributing to the PURL program.
Former Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko was detained while attempting to leave Ukraine in connection with the so called Mindich case (a major energy corruption scheme), Ukrainska Pravda sources said.