🇷🇺❌🇺🇦 — ⭐️ Rybar:

"🇷🇺🇺🇦 Liman direction: battles for Yampolovka — situation as of 17:00, February 14, 2025

▪️In the Liman direction, units of the Russian Armed Forces are fighting fiercely in Yampolovka, gradually advancing along the Zherebets River to Torskoye.

Fighting in this area intensified several weeks ago and continues to this day.
▪️At the moment, clashes are taking place in the center of Yampolovka and may soon spread to the opposite bank in the area of ​​the long-deserted village of Mirnoye.

▪️The potential advance of Russian troops to the south from Kolodezi will allow them to encircle Ukrainian formations dug in near another long-defunct settlement, Belogorovka.

▪️In the forest area located east of Yampolovka, it is not yet possible to clarify the situation. The Ukrainian Armed Forces could either leave their positions under the threat of forming another "pocket" or try to hold them for the purpose of further attacks on the flank of the Russian Armed Forces.

🔻The liberation of Torskoye and Zarechny will in the long term allow us to develop the success in the direction of Liman, cutting off the supply route of the Ukrainian garrison in Seversk, and in the event of a breakthrough of the enemy’s defense on the northern flank of the Chasovoyarsk direction, significantly align the configuration of the front in the neighboring Seversk direction."

🔗 Source

🇩🇪🇺🇸J.D. Vance will deliver a "tough message" for Europe in Munich, CDU/CSU chancellor candidate Friedrich Merz said.

As reported by n-tv, Merz said that US Vice President J.D. Vance will make a “tough and stern statement” on behalf of the US to Europe at the Munich Security Conference on Friday.

"The turning point that the German Chancellor spoke about in his government speech on February 27, 2022, will come this weekend," Merz said on ZDF television.

He noted that he already has preliminary information about the content of Vance's speech.

"His speech will be confrontational," Merz said.

Let us recall that Vance is also scheduled to meet with Zelensky in Munich.

🇺🇸📞🇪🇺❗️ — At the Munich Security Conference, United States Vice President JD Vance says Europe and the European Union has essentially given up the values that won the Cold War over the Soviet Union

🔗 The Post Millennial (@TPostMillennial)

🇺🇸📞🇪🇺🇬🇧 — "Free speech, I fear, is in retreat in Europe" JD Vance says, discussing the outlawing of private prayer near abortion clinics in the UK.

🔗 The Post Millennial (@TPostMillennial)

🇺🇸🚫👔 — 🇩🇪 BILD:

"Bypassing Scholz: US Vice President J.D. Vance to Meet Friedrich Merz

Important talks on the war in Ukraine are expected at the Munich Security Conference. US President Donald Trump has confirmed that representatives from Russia, Ukraine and the United States will meet there.

"They're going to have a meeting [with Russia] in Munich. Russia will be there with our people. By the way, Ukraine is also invited. I'm not sure who will be there from which countries. But high-level officials from Russia, from Ukraine and from the United States"

— Trump said.

However, it seems there will be no direct dialogue between Moscow and Kiev: Volodymyr Zelensky’s adviser Dmitry Litvin stated that “negotiations with Russia in Munich are not envisaged.”

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, however, remains on the sidelines. According to Politico, US Vice President J.D. Vance declined to meet with him, saying it “doesn’t make sense because he’s going to lose his job soon.” Instead, Vance intends to hold talks with CDU/CSU chancellor candidate Friedrich Merz.

Merz has already warned that the American side will make a “tough statement” at the conference.

"This will be a very, very important day, and this 2025 security conference in Munich will remain in our memories for a very long time and will have great consequences"

— Merz said.

The Munich Security Conference will be held in Germany from February 14 to 16. Russian officials have not attended the Munich Conference since 2022."

🔗 Source:

🇺🇸🗯🇪🇺 — 🇩🇪 BILD:

""European leaders are afraid of their own people." US Vice President Vance threatened Putin and criticized Europe

US Vice President J.D. Vance made several bold statements in an interview with The Wall Street Journal, including threatening Russia with possible sanctions and even military action if the Kremlin does not agree to a peace deal that guarantees Ukraine's independence.

"There are economic means of pressure, and of course there are military means of pressure"

— Vance emphasized.

The US vice president also lashed out at European politicians, saying they “sound like Soviet leaders” when they talk about disinformation to discredit other opinions. He called on European governments to acknowledge the rise in protest sentiment and change their migration policies.

Vance paid special attention to Germany and the Alternative for Germany party. He called on German parties to cooperate with it, as well as with other right-wing forces that criticize migration policy.

"European leaders are somehow afraid of their own people. Unfortunately, I think the will of the voters has been ignored by many of our European friends"

— the politician noted.

Vance plans to repeat his statements at the Munich Security Conference, where he plans to deliver a tough speech to European leaders."

🔗 Source:

🇷🇺🚫⚡️🛬🇩🇪 — 🇩🇪 BILD:

"Munich Security Conference officials say Russians will not participate

Munich Security Conference Chairman Christoph Heusgen has called for caution over Donald Trump's statement that talks between "senior" US and Russian officials are planned in Munich.

"We have not accredited a single representative of the Russian government. And without accreditation you can't get here"

— Heusgen said on Deutschlandfunk before the conference began.

In addition, according to Heusgen, the German federal government did not issue the appropriate visas to representatives of the Russian authorities.

At the same time, many European politicians criticized Trump for trying to start direct peace talks with Russia.

"A peace that is essentially a capitulation is bad news for everyone"

— French President Emmanuel Macron told the Financial Times."

🔗 Source:

🇺🇸🔫🛫🗺 — 🇩🇪 BILD:

"US Vice President J.D. Vance may announce withdrawal of US troops from Europe at Munich Security Conference

At the Munich Security Conference, which began today, US Vice President J.D. Vance may announce a massive withdrawal of American troops from Europe. This was stated by the head of the conference, Christoph Heusgen, noting that Washington expects Europe to contribute more to its defense capability.

Before the conference, CDU chancellor candidate Friedrich Merz also expressed the expectation that Vance would make a "tough statement" about Germany and European countries.

"This conference will be remembered for a long time"

— he told reporters.

Vance himself confirmed that he intends to touch upon the topic of a negotiated settlement of the conflict between Ukraine and Russia. He also stressed that the United States is interested in the North Atlantic Alliance being prepared for future challenges.

Before the conference, Vance met with German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock. According to Baerbock, the current conference is “more important than ever” because Europe faces “existential choices” on security issues amid the US president’s planned talks with Russia."

🔗 Source:

🇺🇸🤝🇩🇪 — 🇩🇪 BILD:

""Germany is a great ally of the US." How the Munich Security Conference is going

The International Security Conference continues in Munich. At the same time, the planned meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and US Vice President J.D. Vance was postponed to a later date. In Moscow, in turn, it was officially confirmed that there is no Russian delegation at the Munich Conference.

US officials at the conference reaffirm their support for European allies but insist on a greater role for them in ensuring security.

"Germany is a great ally of the United States"

— Vance said after meeting with German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, but stressed that Europe must take on more defense responsibilities.

Meanwhile, the EU and the US are discussing trade issues. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has expressed readiness to find a mutually beneficial solution on customs duties, but said that the introduction of new US tariffs is a step in the wrong direction.

Security in Munich remains under special scrutiny after the recent attack that left 36 people injured. Munich police have stepped up security measures and organisers of demonstrations have been asked to hold their actions in one specific location instead of marching to better protect them."

🔗 Source:

🇺🇦🚫🗣🇷🇺📍🇩🇪 — 🇩🇪 BILD:

"Volodymyr Zelensky said he does not know about upcoming meetings with Russians

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he knew nothing about a meeting with Russian representatives at the Munich Security Conference. Earlier, US President Donald Trump spoke about the possibility of such talks.

In addition, Zelensky doubts that the new American administration already has a developed peace plan for Ukraine.

The Ukrainian leader arrived in Munich to attend the 61st Security Conference, which began today. It opened amid discussions of possible talks to end the war in Ukraine.

Conference head Christoph Heusgen particularly welcomed delegations from the US and Ukraine and called for "peace through dialogue."

At the same time, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said that EU countries must urgently increase their spending on defense and security.

"We see how quickly the world as a whole is changing, and Europe must also change quickly"

— she added."

🔗 Source:

🇨🇳🤝🇪🇺 — 🇩🇪 BILD:

""For China, Europeans are partners, not rivals." Chinese Foreign Minister speaks at Munich Conference

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi delivered a speech at the opening of the Munich Security Conference. The diplomat stressed that his country is committed to a multipolar world.

"For China, Europeans are partners, not rivals. And this is a very important policy in our multipolar world"

— he said.

Wang also warned the US government against trying to contain China, which the Chinese official said would provoke decisive action from Beijing.

Wang Yi also commented on possible negotiations on a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine.

"Beijing welcomes all efforts that are conducive to resolving the Ukrainian conflict, including the understanding that the United States has reached with Russia in recent days. All parties should engage in peace talks on Ukraine at an appropriate time"

— the diplomat added.

He stressed that China is not ready to refuse supplies of Russian gas because other countries cannot supply as many resources as China requires.

"Some countries politicize economic and trade issues in order to put pressure on China. We cannot allow this"

— Wang Yi concluded.

The Munich Security Conference has been held since 1963, initially as a meeting of NATO representatives. In the late 1990s, Eastern European countries, as well as China and India, began to participate."

🔗 Source:

👤💬🇪🇺🚫🇷🇺 — ⚪️ Interfax Ukraina:

"Zelensky discussed the 16th package of sanctions against Russia with von der Leyen and Costa

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy discussed the 16th package of sanctions against Russia during a meeting in Munich with President of the European Council Antonio Costa and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen."

#Sanctions

🔗 Source:

🇪🇺💶🤝🇺🇦 — ⚪️ RIA Novosti:

"Foreign partners have provided Ukraine with aid totaling €267 billion over 3 years of armed conflict, according to a release from the Institute of World Economy in the German city of Kiel.

It is claimed that Europe (including the EU, Britain, Norway, Iceland and Switzerland) has outspent the US in terms of aid: the Europeans have given €70 billion in financial and humanitarian aid and €62 billion in military aid, while the US has given €50 billion in financial and humanitarian aid and €64 billion in military aid."

🔗 Source:

🇺🇸🤝🇺🇦👤 — 👀 Ukraina Pravda:

"Zelenskyy's meeting with US Vice President J.D. Vance began in Munich on the sidelines of a security conference.

Vance and Zelensky were supposed to meet earlier, but, as reported in the OPU, they agreed to hold the meeting at a later time to give the US the opportunity to work with the draft memorandum on partnership, which Ukraine finalized and handed over to the Americans."

🔗 Source:

🏦🇺🇸👍🚤🇵🇦 Bank of America Report Highlights Panama Canal’s Autonomy, Efficiency, and Financial Strength

The Bank of America (BofA) Global Research team, this week, released an independent report noscriptd, “Strong, efficient & profitable – who wouldn’t want to own the Panama Canal?” Their findings emphasized the operational independence, neutrality, as well as the financial resilience and critical role the Panama Canal plays in global commerce and reviewed some of the challenges faced in the region the past few years.

BofA stressed that the waterway was owned by the Government of Panama, but managed by the Panama Canal Authority (ACP), which the report says has consistently invested in enhancing the capacity and operational efficiency of the waterway since Panama took full operational control in 1999. According to BofA, “[T]he Panama Canal Authority has doubled the capacity with a $5.25 billion USD expansion launched in 2008 and completed when Neo Panamax locks were inaugurated in 2016. Investments have totaled $15 billion USD over the past 25 years including $10 billion USD in capital expenditures and $5 billion USD in operational and maintenance expenses.”

The report continues to say that the ACP’s commitment to operational efficiency and strategic investment is evidenced by its ability to adapt to ever evolving challenges. For instance, in response to the drought that impacted the canal’s water levels, the report states that, “To safeguard against future water shortages, the Indio River project is advancing with expectations that it will match Alhajuela Lake in capacity. This initiative is part of a broader effort to restore and optimize the Panama Canal watershed, providing a more sustainable approach to water management. A community census is currently underway to assess resettlement needs, and the relocation process is expected to begin by the end of 2025.”

In addition to its infrastructure investments, the ACP also maintains a transparent and market-driven toll system, according to the report. Using data from the ACP, BofA’s analysts explain that the tolls are determined by vessel type and industry segment, independent of nationality. The report also cited the ACP Administrator, Dr. Ricaurte Vásquez, indicating that his team had found that total transit fees are less than 1% of the value transiting the canal estimated at $581 billion USD.

https://pancanal.com/en/bank-of-america-report-highlights-panama-canals-autonomy-efficiency-and-financial-strength/

@FelipeChannel

👔1️⃣🔣5️⃣🔤🔫🗺🕊 — 👀 Ukraina Pravda:

"👤 Zelensky believes Ukraine needs an army of 1.5 million to counter a potential Russian invasion. He said the Ukrainian military has already provided him with a map of the numbers and types of troops from Ukraine's partners where they can deploy their peacekeeping forces."

🔗 Source:

👤🤝🇺🇸 — 🇺🇦 President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky:

"Met with a bipartisan US Senate delegation on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference. Grateful for the bipartisan support for Ukraine from the very beginning of the full-scale invasion, for its contribution to protecting thousands of lives.

They discussed the continuation of military support for Ukraine and the efforts needed to achieve a just peace. The Russian Federation does not want the war to end and continues to increase tension in the world. That is why military support from the United States is extremely important for Ukraine. This is the only way to achieve a just and lasting peace.

Separately, we talked about the partnership between Ukraine and the United States, in particular in the implementation of joint projects, economic cooperation, and joint development of critical minerals and rare earth resources."

🔗 Source

👤🫂👔 — 🇺🇦 President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky:

"Coordination of joint efforts, the 16th package of sanctions against Russia, and progress in negotiations on Ukraine's accession to the EU are the topics of our meeting with European Council President António Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in Munich.

The future of European security is being decided now in Ukraine. Now is the time when it is very important to coordinate joint efforts to bring about a just and lasting peace. It is also important to increase sanctions pressure on the Russian Federation. Our state expects that the 16th package of EU sanctions will significantly limit Russia's ability to continue financing the war.

Thank you for all the support of our state and our people."

#Sanctions

🔗 Source