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Spies, Lies, and Algorithms
Amy B. Zegart
- War in Ukraine could end ‘within weeks,’ Putin open to peacekeepers, Trump claims
- UN adopts Ukraine’s resolution condemning Russia’s invasion — US, Russia, Belarus vote against
- European leaders arrive …
Russia
Fico's Meeting With Musk and Pro-Russian Agenda Stir Backlash in Slovakia
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USA
Trump refuses to label Putin a dictator

U.S. President Donald Trump chose not to label Russian President Vladimir Putin a dictator, responding to journalists on the sidelines of a meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron on Feb. 24.
“I don’t use those words lightly… …
Ukraine
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USA
'Nobody can demand anything from Russia' — Putin talks about renewed US-Russia contacts, rare earth metals

Russian President Vladimir Putin met with officials on Feb. 24 to discuss rare earth metals production, calling it a strategic reserve crucial for Russia’s economic growth and global competitiveness.
He emphasized the importance of the newly …
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USA
Fact Check: Secretary Of Defense Says US Is NOT Shutting Naval Base In Alexandroupoli, Greece, Trump Says Report Of Closure 'Not A Correct Story'
Is the United States shutting down a Naval base in Alexandroupoli, Greece, as reported in February 2025? No, that's not true: A defense official told Lead Stories there is no "US base in Alexandroupolis." Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth denied the …
Ukraine
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USA
Ukraine war latest: War in Ukraine could end 'within weeks,' Putin open to peacekeepers, Trump claims

Key developments on Feb. 24:
Ukraine
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UN resolution calls for Russian withdrawal from Ukraine, U.S. and Israel's unexpected opposition stuns global politics
In a move sending shockwaves through international diplomacy, the United Nations General Assembly passed a resolution with a significant majority demanding that Russia withdraw its troops from Ukraine.
Ninety-three nations voted in favor, while 65 …
Ukraine
Denmark ramps up military support for Ukraine with major defense investments and aid packages
Denmark is stepping up its support for Ukraine by investing significantly in defense production and military assistance. Last year, along with other countries, Denmark committed approximately $650 million to the production of Ukrainian defense …
Ukraine
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Russia’s Desperate Measures: North Korean and Cuban Troops in Ukraine
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USA
Despite growing Russian, US pressure, world rallies in support of Ukraine

Three years into Russia’s all-out war, Ukraine is under increasing pressure from Russia on the battlefield and the U.S. in high cabinets.
Russian troops have been gaining ground around Pokrovsk in Ukraine’s Donetsk Oblast, while U.S. President Donald …
Ukraine
USA
Zelensky hails 'positive' discussion with Trump amid G7 summit, highlights importance of continued U.S. support
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced a "positive" conversation with former U.S. President Donald Trump amid the crucial G7 summit. This conversation reinforces Ukraine's aspiration for continued support from the United States alongside …
Ukraine
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UK unveils largest-ever sanctions against Russia, targeting illicit revenue and military supply chains
In a major move, UK Foreign Affairs Secretary David Lammy has announced the most extensive package of sanctions against Russia in three years, targeting illicit revenues that are fueling Vladimir Putin's war against Ukraine. The sweeping measures, …
Three years ago we lacked firepower, manpower and world’s support. What changed?
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Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov highlights conditions for ending Ukraine war amid diplomatic talks in Turkey
During a visit to Turkey, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov addressed the conditions necessary for the cessation of the war in Ukraine. According to Lavrov, the conflict cannot end without addressing its "root causes", reports Anadolu Agency. …
Ukraine
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USA
War in Ukraine could end 'within weeks,' Putin open to peacekeepers, Trump claims

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Feb. 24 that Russia’s war against Ukraine could end “within weeks” and claimed Russian President Vladimir Putin would allow European peacekeepers to be stationed in Ukraine as part of a potential …
Ukraine
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USA
Trump says Ukraine minerals deal to 'be signed very soon,' plans meeting Zelensky

U.S. President Donald Trump said in a Feb. 24 Truth Social post that he hopes the minerals deal with Ukraine “will be signed very soon."
Trump reiterated his push for a deal between the U.S. and Ukraine, arguing that it would help …
Russia
Australia unveils largest sanctions package against Russia since 2022 invasion
Australia has rolled out a substantial new set of sanctions targeting Russia to mark the anniversary of the Russian invasion. The Australian government has described it as "the biggest package of sanctions since February 2022."
The new personal …
Ukraine
Spain commits €1 billion in military aid to Ukraine by 2025
Spain has announced plans to provide Ukraine with €1 billion in military aid by the end of 2025, according to Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez during the "Support Ukraine" plenary session in Kyiv on Monday, February 24.
"We will continue to supply …
Ukraine
Sweden supplies Ukraine with advanced TRIDON Mk 2 air defense systems
On February 24, Sweden announced a new military aid package for Ukraine, valued at 100 million euros, which includes the cutting-edge TRIDON Mk 2 air and artillery defense systems for the first time. Additionally, Ukraine will receive more RBS 70 …
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USA
UN adopts Ukraine's resolution condemning Russia's invasion — US, Russia, Belarus vote against

The UN General Assembly approved a Ukrainian resolution on Feb. 24 condemning Russia’s full-scale invasion, with 93 countries voting in favor and 18 against.
The U.S., Israel, Hungary, Russia, and Belarus have voted against the resolution.
The …
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How Ukraine has pushed back and held the line against Russia for 3 years

Elon Musk on Feb. 21 questioned why Ukraine was still actively defending itself amid the ongoing Russian full-scale invasion, suggesting the country’s fight against the Kremlin’s imperialist ambitions was, in fact, a giant money-making …
Ukraine
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EU announces comprehensive 16th sanction package against Russia on Ukraine war anniversary
In a major development marking three years since the onset of the conflict in Ukraine, the European Union has announced its 16th sanction package against Russia, as detailed in a press release from the EU Council. This new wave of sanctions targets …
Ukraine
Drone debris sparks fire at Ryazan Oil Refinery amid ongoing Ukrainian strikes
USA
From Cult to Coup: The Authoritarian Spiral and the Militarization of Trump’s Movement
This historical perspective from Professor Heather Cox Richardson provides crucial context for understanding the ongoing transformation of the United States under Trump’s second presidency.
The purge of military leadership, the dismantling of …
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EU imports of Russian fossil fuels exceeded aid to Ukraine in third year of the Russian invasion, report says

The EU paid 21.9 billion euros ($22.9 billion) for Russian fossil fuel imports in the third year of Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine, just a 1% year-on-year drop in volumes, according to a new report by the Center for Research on Energy and Clean …