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Spies, Lies, and Algorithms
Amy B. Zegart
- Russia, US conclude Ukraine peace talks in Saudi Arabia, Kremlin advisor says they were ‘not bad’
- Zelensky postpones Saudi Arabia visit amid Russia-US talks
- Over 10,000 applications to join military submitted by …
Europe Will Wake Up, but When?
Ukraine
Russia
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USA
Canada wants to participate in talks on Ukraine's security guarantees, official says
Canada is interested in partaking in conversations about security guarantees for Ukraine, Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly said on Feb. 18.
“We want to be part of these conversations regarding security guarantees,” Joly told …
Ukraine
Russia
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USA
Western intelligence shows Putin not ready for 'real peace,' NBC News reports
Russian President Vladimir Putin is not serious about reaching a peace deal with Ukraine, NBC News reported on Feb. 18, citing unnamed Western intelligence officials and U.S. congressional officials.
Russian and U.S. delegations met in Saudi Arabia on …
Ukraine
Russia
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USA
'Massive demolition site' — Trump claims Ukraine in ruins while pressing Zelensky to hold elections
Editor’s Note: This is a developing story and is being updated.
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Feb. 18 that he believes Ukraine should hold new elections, as the country has become a “massive demolition site” under President …
Ukraine
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USA
Trump 'much more confident' in peace deal after 'very good' US-Russia talks
Editor’s Note: This is a developing story and is being updated.
U.S. President Donald Trump is “much more confident” that he will secure a ceasefire deal between Russia and Ukraine following talks between U.S. and Russian officials …
Will Europe Stand Strong After JD Vance’s Controversial Munich Speech?
Ukraine
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Smaller Western force could guarantee security in Ukraine, Guardian reports
A relatively small contingent of Western troops could successfully provide security guarantees to Ukraine in the event of a ceasefire with Russia, U.K. defense sources told the Guardian on Feb. 18.
Previously, President Volodymyr Zelensky told the …
Russia
How the EU’s New Sanctions Could Crush Russia’s War Efforts and Force Negotiations
Ukraine
USA
Ukraine-U.S. negotiations on $500 billion critical minerals deal in limbo amid U.S. Administration transition
Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Olga Stefanishina provided updates on discussions between Ukraine and the United States regarding critical mineral resources. During a briefing in Warsaw, Stefanishina explained that delays in formalizing an agreement …
Ukraine
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Saudi Arabia wanted Ukraine represented at US-Russia talks, Bloomberg reports
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the de facto ruler of Saudi Arabia, wanted President Volodymyr Zelensky to be represented in talks between U.S. and Russian officials in Riyadh, Bloomberg reported on Feb. 18, citing a person with knowledge of …
Ukraine
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Plokhy argues in Chornobyl occupation book that Russia’s nuclear blackmail is ‘warning for the future’
The specter of nuclear war cast a long shadow over the 20th century, serving as a reminder of humanity’s capacity for self-destruction. Now, as the world seems to shrug off Russia’s nuclear saber-rattling against Ukraine — and by extension, all …
Ukraine
Russia
Russian offensive fizzles near Pokrovsk as Ukrainian defense holds firm
Despite a year of preparations and redeployment of fresh troops, Russian efforts to isolate Pokrovsk have fallen short. The Russian troops failed to establish reliable flanks for encirclement, while Ukrainian defenses inflicted catastrophic losses. …
Ukraine
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US-Russia talks on Ukraine peace — why Putin will be ‘very happy’
Russia on Feb. 18 ended years of political isolation sparked by its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, as a delegation of Kremlin officials met with their U.S. counterparts in Saudi Arabia to discuss how to end the very war it started.
The talks ended …
Ukraine
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Ukraine Reforms Tracker Weekly — Issue 14
Editor’s note: This is issue 14 of Ukrainian lawmaker Yaroslav Zhelezniak’s weekly “Ukraine Reforms Tracker” covering events from Feb. 10–Feb. 16, 2025. The digest highlights steps taken in the Ukrainian parliament related to business, …
Ukraine
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U.S. and Russia Conclude Ukraine Peace Talks in Saudi Arabia | What’s Next?
Russia
Russia's Khmeimim air base attacked by drones amid Syrian regime change
In a late-night assault stretching from Monday into Tuesday, drones targeted Russia’s Khmeimim Air Base. This attack has been reported by local Telegram channel Sabereen News and OSINT researcher SyrianOSINT.
According to a Russian war correspondent …
Ukraine
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Ukraine war latest: Russia, US conclude Ukraine peace talks in Saudi Arabia, Kremlin advisor calls them 'not bad'
Key developments on Feb. 18:
Ukraine
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Ukraine summit in Paris exposes divisions, lack of coherent plan, experts say
The emergency Ukraine summit held in Paris by European leaders on Feb. 17 exposed divisions between European countries, highlighting how they have so far failed to agree on a coherent plan for supporting Kyiv, analysts have told the Kyiv Independent. …
Ukraine
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EU plans $6.2 billion military aid package for Ukraine ahead of US-Russia talks, Politico reports
The European Union is discussing a military aid package for Ukraine worth at least 6 billion euros ($6.2 billion) to bolster Kyiv’s strategic position ahead of U.S.-led talks with Russia, Politico reported on Feb. 18, citing sources familiar …
Ukraine
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Ukrainian Forces strike key Russian military and energy infrastructure in Krasnodar region
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine confirmed successful precision strikes by Ukrainian Forces on fuel-energy and military infrastructure in Russia's Krasnodar region yesterday.
The Ukrainian Forces targeted the Ilsky Oil Refinery, which …
Ukraine
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USA
As Trump’s Ukraine envoy is partially sidelined, Middle East negotiator takes lead in Russia talks
As U.S.-Russian talks on ending the war in Ukraine kicked off in Saudi Arabia on Feb. 18, Keith Kellogg, U.S. President Donald Trump’s special envoy for Russia and Ukraine, appears to have been partially sidelined from the negotiations.
Ukraine
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Explosions rock Russian 'shadow fleet' tanker Seajewel at Italy's port of Savona
The Seajewel, a tanker under the Maltese flag known for transporting Russian oil to Europe evading sanctions, faced two powerful explosions while docked at the Port of Savona in northwest Italy. According to Newsweek, the blasts occurred during the …
Ukraine
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France to host second summit on Ukraine, European security, Reuters reports
France plans to host another high-level meeting on Feb. 19 to discuss Ukraine and European security, expanding participation to countries left out of the initial summit, Reuters reported on Feb. 18, citing diplomatic sources.
French President Emmanuel …
Ukraine
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Trump is trading Ukraine’s future for a quick win
As many others have now concluded, this year’s Munich Security Conference (MSC) was pretty remarkable. Indeed, it may have been as defining an event as Russian President Vladimir Putin’s infamous 2007 speech, which marked a shift toward a more openly …
Ukraine
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EU must take Russia sanctions into 'its own hands,' commissioner says
The European Union must take greater control of its sanctions policy against Russia as U.S. priorities shift, EU Economy and Trade Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis said on Feb. 18.
“With the current Trump administration, the EU will need to take …