Ukraine Breaking News Today Live on 02-24-2025

The French president met with Trump to discuss European security guarantees and the war in Ukraine. Trump says his administration is ‘making a decisive break’ from past US foreign policy values.

US President Donald Trump said he was nearing a security deal with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky that could end the war in Ukraine “within weeks” during press conferences with French President Emmanual Macron in Washington on Monday.

“We are close to getting it solved,” Trump said about the peace negotiations at a press conference after the leaders met.

“It may seem like we are building the Terminator or the Skynet… but really these upgrades are only refinements, there can’t be a moment when the drones will suddenly become sentient.”

Over the past three years of war an unlikely weapon - the humble first-person view (FPV) drone - has driven an order-of-magnitude, once-in-a-century revolution in battlefield lethality.

Cheap, ubiquitous and precision-guided, the swarms of little quadcopters buzzing over Ukraine’s battlefields have perhaps not made legacy-tech armored vehicles and artillery completely obsolete – but it’s been a close-run thing.

The video caused a stir on Russian social media, with the “Svarshchiki” Telegram channel reacting writing, “We haven’t unpacked the ‘Oreshnik’ for a long time.”

A US Air Force Boeing B-52 Stratofortress, a long-range strategic bomber capable of carrying nuclear weapons, flew just 50 kilometers (31 miles) from the Russian border, triggering a wave of reactions on Russian social media.

Russian Telegram channels quickly began circulating video footage of the bomber, citing data from the flight-tracking service Flightradar24.

The French president met with Trump to discuss European security guarantees and the war in Ukraine as several other Western leaders convened in Kyiv in a show of strength and unity against Russia.

French President Emmanual Macron met with US President Donald Trump in Washington on Monday to discuss options for ending Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and maintaining American-European security pacts.

“We are close to getting it solved,” Trump said about the peace negotiations at a press conference after the leaders met.

In a motion, the National Assembly of Quebec expressed solidarity with Ukraine

The National Assembly of Quebec unanimously adopted a Motion in support of Ukraine proposed by the Premier of Quebec, François Legault, and representatives of all political parties.

Ukrainian American historian Serhii Plokhii said that Europe has a chance to reassert its agency and bring lasting peace to Europe by standing with Ukraine.

On the three-year anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Ukrainian American historian Serhii Plokhii said that something that no one could have foreseen is Ukraine standing strong against Russia, while the US falters.

“No one expected that to happen three years ago: Ukraine is standing but America is falling,” the Harvard professor told Kyiv Post in a written statement.

Russia’s ability to sustain its war effort is collapsing, Chuck Pfarrer, a seasoned military analyst and Kyiv Post Special Correspondent says

After the US submitted a resolution to designate Russia’s invasion of Ukraine as a “Russia-Ukraine conflict,” European nations called for an amendment to reflect Russia’s complicity in the invasion.

The world has convened to vote on how to condemn Russia’s invasion of Ukraine at a Monday UN meeting – via draft resolutions and amendments that reflect an increasingly divisive world as the invasion enters its fourth year. 

While the resolutions are not legally binding, they reflect the international community’s position on the war in Ukraine. 

On the third anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, we share the stories of mothers who chose life in the midst of war.

Bringing a child into the world is an act of hope and joy. But for Ukrainian mothers, it is also an act of defiance. With war raging around them, they carry life forward, despite the uncertainty and fear.

For some, pregnancy was a decision made before the invasion. For others, it was a deliberate choice to reclaim a future that war had tried to steal.

Stefan Korshak, Kyiv Post’s military correspondent, shares his perspective on recent developments in Russia’s war in Ukraine.

I’ll save the three-year-anniversary stuff until next review. But thank you. This blog is a two way deal and I promise you I get a lot more out of it than I put into it.

This week, like last week, “ceasefire” talks and US-Russia-Europe diplomacy dominated the news.

What needs to be done if Russia’s war against Ukraine can be stopped

As Ukraine enters its fourth year of defending against a full-scale Russian invasion, there is a feeling of change in the air – hope that 2025 might bring an end to the fighting, but deep concern that a high price might be paid for a fleeting and unjust peace.

Russia is at its weakest point since February 2022:  economically, militarily and politically.  Within six months to a year, Russia will need a pause in the war.  But until there is a ceasefire, Russia’s overnight bombings and frontline assaults continue.

After over a dozen leaders descended on Kyiv in support of Ukraine on the 3rd anniversary of the war, the EU announced it hopes to announce a billion-dollar arms package next week.

EU leaders will look to strike a deal on a new package of arms for Ukraine at an emergency summit next week, the bloc’s top diplomat, Kaja Kallas, said Monday. 

Several Western leaders came to Ukraine’s capital in support of the country on the third anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion on Monday – despite the danger – amid contentious ceasefire negotiations ongoing between Washington and Moscow and without the invitation of Kyiv or EU members. 

At an event commemorating dead Russian soldiers, the Russian president suggested that it was an honorable mission to defend Russia by invading Ukraine.

Russian leader Vladimir Putin said Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine is “how the Lord wanted it” during a speech at the Heroes of Russia award ceremony on Sunday.

Sunday marked Russia’s Defender of the Fatherland Day. Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine a day after the holiday in 2022.

Merz, who is set to become Germany’s next Chancellor, said that the Trump administration is ignoring Europe and growing closer to Russia.

Germany’s conservative leader Friedrich Merz raised doubts on Sunday about whether NATO would still exist “as it is now” by June, following remarks from Donald Trump’s administration.

“I am very curious to see how we are heading toward the NATO summit at the end of June. Whether we will still be talking about NATO in its current form or whether we will have to establish an independent European defense capability much more quickly,” Merz told German public broadcaster ARD after his conservatives won a national election.

Zelensky presented Trump with a document detailing Russia’s previous ceasefire violations, listing each broken agreement with specific dates.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has stated that ending the war should begin with the release of all prisoners, adding that Ukraine is ready for an “all for all” exchange with Russia.

Speaking at the “Support Ukraine” plenary session alongside European leaders in Kyiv, Zelensky said restoring trust in the process is crucial – though, as he noted, “there is no trust in Russia itself.”

Three of Chernihiv’s residents told Kyiv Post of the difficult choices they had to make on that February morning as Russian tanks already approached their city.

Head of Ukraine’s national foreign intelligence service – “We have studied…the strengths and weaknesses of the enemy. We are aware of Russia’s long-term plans…at least until 2030.”

Ukraine’s national military leadership, headed by President Volodymyr Zelensky, on Sunday projected confidence and even cautious notes of optimism about the future direction of their country’s fight against Russia’s invasion, contradicting recent White House claims their country faces imminent defeat by Moscow.

Zelensky and members of the Ukrainian senior national security team made the comments at the conference “Ukraine. Year 2025” in the capital, Kyiv.  

In the vein of “poetry is news that stays news,” Kyiv Post’s chief editor celebrates Ukrainians’ determination as they commemorate the third anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion.

Three years of modern barbarism,
Russia set loose on the world,
Ukraine as its primary victim,
Muscovite imperialism unfurled.

Difficult to sound balanced,
The pain and anger so strong.
Daily bombings, death, destruction,
The foe not acknowledging any wrong.

The world in focus, as seen by Canadian leading global affairs analyst Michael Bociurkiw in a quick review of the biggest news in international media today.

Today marks exactly three years since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The country was on high alert overnight after a record number of Russian drones swarmed many regions the previous evening - bringing death and destruction. We saw a heightened military presence unseen previously along the Odesa sea coast, as well as virtually empty streets. A fresh wave of drones were unleashed over parts of the country around 1900 GMT Sunday and continued into the early hours.

Meanwhile, at a marathon Kyiv news conference Sunday afternoon, President Volodymyr Zelesnky shocked many when he said he would be willing to step down in return for an enduring peace and NATO membership for Ukraine. Asked about his relationship with Donald Trump, Zelensky replied with a grin: “It never was in such a best way.” When asked by CNN on whether it could be improved, he said: “It’s not in our rights like presidents to lose the partnership between our countries.” As I told Al Jazeera later, it almost seemed as the Ukrainian leader was goading Mr. Trump, who’s insultingly called Zelensky ‘“a dictator,” - but so far there’s has been no response from the White House. That may indicate the verbal war of words is over for now. Contradicting reports that Elon Musk’s Starlink service would be disconnected if he didn’t sign an extortionate US rare earth minerals deal, Zelensky said it was unlikely as many schools and hospitals rely on it (it’s also crucial for the Ukrainian military). For the first time, Zelensky said any deal involving huge amounts of Ukraine’s resources would have to be ratified by the country’s parliament.

A glimpse of life in Ukraine before Russia’s 2022 full-scale invasion.

“Some of us are just fighting for our ways of life,” an old acquaintance told me during a chance encounter on Saturday.

Over the last three years, thousands upon thousands have fought and died for Ukraine’s survival – but for some, it is simply defending a sense of familiarity, of a life robbed from them by a war they did not ask for.

On this fateful day, Ukrainian writer and former president of PEN Ukraine Andrey Kurkov reflects on the impact of the war on Ukraine’s invaluable cultural heritage.

Today marks three years since the Russian Federation’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, which has brought suffering to millions of people, with Russian forces committing war crimes and other violations of international humanitarian law. On this fateful day, Ukrainian writer and former president of PEN Ukraine Andrey Kurkov reflects on the impact of the war on Ukraine’s invaluable cultural heritage.

According to PEN Ukraine and partners, at least 186 cultural figures have been killed by Russian forces as of February 2025. Those killed included writers, translators, artists, musicians, photographers, and historians who played a key role in enriching and celebrating Ukraine’s culture and identity. PEN International utterly condemns the violence unleashed by Russian forces against Ukraine and urges full justice and accountability.

Ukraine launched strikes on the Ryazan Oil Refinery, a key supplier to the Russian military, and an oil depot in Tula, causing multiple explosions and fires.

Ukrainian forces targeted the Ryazan Oil Refining Company, Russia’s largest refinery in the Central Federal District, along with an oil depot in the Tula region, causing major fires and explosions.

According to Ukraine’s General Staff, units from the Unmanned Systems Forces, in coordination with the Main Intelligence Directorate (HUR) and other Defense Forces, struck the Ryazan refinery in the early hours of Feb. 24.

Ukrainian veterans open up about life after the front, the struggle to fit in, and why some still feel the pull to return.

These servicemembers are not marking the third anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion on the front lines but are instead trying to reintegrate into civilian life after years spent in dugouts and trenches.

Former members of the Ukrainian Armed Forces (AFU) who resigned from service for various reasons told Kyiv Post that they remain proud of their decision to stand up for Ukraine’s defense three years ago – and, if necessary, would return to the front without hesitation.

Kyiv Post speaks with Germany’s CDU/CSU foreign policy spokesman on how the “epochal rupture” in the transatlantic relationship could affect Germany’s position towards Ukraine and European security.

Kyiv Post speaks with Germany’s CDU/CSU foreign policy spokesman, Jürgen Hardt, on how the “epochal rupture” in the transatlantic relationship could affect Germany’s position towards Ukraine and European security.

MJM: If the US is no longer an ally to be trusted, will a new German government stay committed to maintaining both the territorial integrity of Ukraine and keeping what remains?

The fresh sanctions put restrictions on imports of Russian aluminium and blacklist 74 vessels from the so-called “shadow fleet” used by Russia to circumvent limits on oil exports.

The European Union on Monday hit Russia with a new round of sanctions aimed at curbing its war effort on the third anniversary of the Kremlin’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

It is the 16th round of sanctions imposed by the 27-nation bloc on Russia since Moscow launched its all-out assault on Ukraine on February 24, 2022.

New York real estate mogul Steve Witkoff told CNN the Trump administration doesn’t blame Russia for invading Ukraine, and the “facts on the ground” prove it. Kyiv Post did a fact check.

Trump peace negotiator Steven Witkoff during an interview with CNN aired on Sunday said:

“The war didn’t need to happen. It was provoked. It doesn’t necessarily mean it was provoked by the Russians. There were all kinds of conversations back then about Ukraine joining NATO. The President has spoken about this. That didn’t need to happen. It basically became a threat to the Russians. And so, we have to deal with that fact. Those are real facts on the ground.”

Despite Russia launching its largest drone attack ever over the weekend, several officials arrived in Kyiv on Monday to show their unwavering support for Ukraine – but one important ally was missing.

Several Western leaders traveled to Ukraine’s embattled capital in support of the country on the third anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion on Monday – despite the danger and contentious peace negotiations that are ongoing between Washington, Kyiv, and Moscow. 

At least 13 European leaders are expected in Kyiv today, according to Anton Gerashchenko, adviser to the Ukrainian Ministry of Internal Affairs. An additional 24 leaders will join the talks virtually to discuss security guarantees for Ukraine and collective European security.

Reflections on our mistakes, misconceptions and unexpected lessons.

For Ukraine, the three years of the full-scale war has not only been a time of loss and suffering, but also a period of deep rethinking for the country, including its position in the world around. It has been a period marked by strengthened national consciousness and power of the spirit.

Turning to my own personal experience, these three years have become not only a chronicle of the resilience of the Ukrainian people, but also a time of inner growth. I have seen ordinary people become heroes; I have seen volunteering and mutual assistance became the norm; I have seen how a collective love for our Motherland can unite us.

In 2024, Ukrainian banks paid $2 billion in state taxes at an increased 50% rate, leaving $2.5 billion in net profit.

Ukrainian banks earned Hr.103.7 billion ($2.5 billion) in net profit in 2024 and paid Hr. 83.7 billion ($2 billion) in taxes at an increased 50% rate, the National Bank of Ukraine (NBU) reported.

The main drivers of growth were the expansion of loan portfolios and investments in government bonds, the NBU report says.

Uncertainty over the future of war in Ukraine and the US commitment to NATO has pushed Poles to warm up to the idea of a joint armed force under the auspices of the European Union.

22.3% of Poles said “definitely agree” and 30.3% “rather agree” that the EU should have a joint army, according to a poll by SW Research commissioned by a private news website Onet. 

17.4% “rather disagreed” and only 12.2% rejected the idea entirely. 17.8% were uncertain. 

Merz, leader of the CDU/CSU alliance, argued during the election campaign that Europe needed to take more responsibility for its own defence.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Sunday congratulated Germany’s conservative leader Friedrich Merz on his party’s win in legislative elections, saying he hoped to work with Germany to “strengthen Europe”.

“We look forward to continuing our joint work with Germany to protect lives, bring real peace closer to Ukraine, and strengthen Europe,” Zelensky posted on X.

Russian President Vladimir Putin’s decision to launch what he called a “special military operation” set off the biggest war in Europe since World War II.

Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky hailed his country’s “resistance” and “heroism” on Monday on the third anniversary of Russia’s invasion as EU leaders arrived in Kyiv in a show of solidarity.

Russian President Vladimir Putin’s decision to launch what he called a “special military operation” set off the biggest conflict in Europe since World War II. 

In the days leading up to the start of President Vladimir Putin’s “special military operation” many still thought the unthinkable would not happen, even as Moscow’s saber rattling became deafening.

Thursday, Feb. 17, 2022

Kremlin writes to Biden administration accusing it of ignoring its legitimate demands on security and threatens “a military-technical” response, but insists no plans for invasion of Ukraine – Kommersant.ru

Germany’s pro-Ukrainian center-right Christian Democrats won the elections. The pro-Russian anti-immigrant Alternative for Germany party doubled its number of votes since the last elections.

On Sunday, Feb. 23, the German people voted (83.5% turnout) in the federal elections. The Union of Christian Democrats CDU/CSU won the elections with 28.5% of the votes. The leader of the Union, Friedrich Merz, is likely to become the new Chancellor of Germany. 

The center right party promises its voters a stricter migration policy and lower taxes. The Pro-Russian radical right Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) gained 20.8% of the votes, a huge victory compared to results in 2021 when the AfD had 10.1% of the votes. 

On Feb 23, President Volodymyr Zelensky summarized three years of the full-scale war and emphasized the importance of security guarantees, NATO membership, and countering US/Trump pressure.

On Sunday, Feb, 23, Kyiv Post attended a major press conference hosted by President Volodymyr Zelensky following three years of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine and 11 years of war with Russia.

This comes as the US administration has placed increased pressure on Ukraine, with Trump insisting that Ukraine hold elections and sign an agreement regarding the extraction of rare earth metals and other valuable minerals. Ukraine meanwhile wants security guarantees, with joining NATO being the preferred option despite Western partners not being ready to support such a move.

Belgian Air Force Chief of Staff warned on Thursday that the first of the promised 30 Vipers for Kyiv will now not be released until the end of the year.

In a wide-ranging interview on defense related issues with Belgian’s Le Soir on Thursday, Feb. 20, Belgium’s Air Force Chief of Staff General Frederik Vansina said the first transfer of the promised 30 decommissioned F-16 fighter aircraft to Ukraine has been delayed.

He explained that this was a knock-on effect of the continuing delays in the production of the US F-35A Joint Strike Fighter program. The aircraft needed to replace the Belgian aging F-16s were slated to start deliveries in 2023 but to date only one has been provided which is being used as a training platform for its pilots at Luke Air Force Base in Arizona.

Latest from the Institute for the Study of War.

Key Takeaways from the ISW:

• US Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff referred to the early 2022 Istanbul protocols as offering “guideposts” for negotiations between Russia and Ukraine on February 23. An agreement based on those protocols would be a capitulation document.
• Ukraine is unlikely to accept any peace agreement based on the Istanbul negotiations as such terms are effectively a full Ukrainian surrender to Russia’s long-term war goals.
• Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky continues to demonstrate his commitment to preserving Ukraine’s democracy and a just resolution to the war.
• Ukrainian officials continue to highlight Ukraine’s domestic defense industry and domestically produced strike capabilities.
• Russian President Vladimir Putin appointed Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) CEO Kirill Dmitriev as Special Presidential Representative for Investment and Economic Cooperation with Foreign Countries on February 23.
• Russian forces launched a record number of drone strikes against Ukraine on the night of February 22 to 23, ahead of the third anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24.
• Russia appears to be relying more on Iran and North Korea to support its war in Ukraine.
• Russian forces continue to execute Ukrainian prisoners of war (POWs) in clear violation of international law.
• Ukrainian forces recently advanced near Toretsk and Russian forces recently advanced near Siversk, Pokrovsk, and Velyka Novosilka.
• The Russian government continues efforts to increase its defense industrial output.

Speaking to Fox News radio just before the weekend, Trump puts his tail between his legs and admits Putin started the war, adding Ukraine doesn’t ‘have any cards, but they’re playing tough.’

After weeks of insisting that Ukraine somehow invited Russian forces to invade its country in the past decade and that the previous US administration of Joe Biden somehow shared the blame for this, US President Donald Trump solemnly admitted he was wrong on Friday, telling his loyal news outlet, Fox, that indeed Moscow was responsible for the war, as he senses that President Volodymyr Zelensky is close to a deal to sign away half of the mineral rights for his country.

It was a largely unnoticed weekend reversal by Trump, who for weeks had repeated that Ukraine “should have never started” the war. But when pressed on the subject in an interview with Fox News Radio on Friday, he acknowledged that Moscow had indeed invaded Ukraine on the order of Russian autocrat Vladimir Putin.