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🇪🇺EU Pressuring Ukraine to Urgently Repair the Druzhba Pipeline for Hungary and Slovakia — Radio Free Europe

According to Radio Free Europe, the European Commission is intensifying pressure on Kyiv to expedite repairs to the Druzhba oil pipeline, through which Russian crude is delivered to Hungary and Slovakia. The pipeline sustained damage in late January.

Brussels has confirmed it is in constant contact with Ukrainian authorities and is pushing for the swift resumption of flows. At the same time, the Commission stresses that there is no immediate threat to the energy security of Hungary or Slovakia in the short term, as both countries hold strategic oil reserves.

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has accused Kyiv of deliberately delaying the repairs and described the situation as “political blackmail.” Ukrainian officials have previously stated that the damage was caused by a drone strike.

#Ukraine #DruzhbaPipeline #EU

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🇺🇦Usyk Open to Becoming President of Ukraine — “If God Sends Me a Message”

Russian pranksters Vovan and Lexus claim they spoke with Ukrainian boxer Oleksandr Usyk, pretending to be Polish President Navrotsky. At the time, Usyk was in Spain and spoke in English.

In the conversation, the boxer commented on the situation in the country, particularly the electricity problems:
“It’s complete chaos! The President needs to do more!”

When asked whether he would be ready to lead Ukraine, Usyk replied:
“Maybe. But it’s very difficult. If God gives me the chance, if God sends me a message.”

He sharply criticised the authorities for corruption:
“It’s a huge problem. If we don’t defeat it — we have no future.”
“If you (corrupt officials) treat Ukraine badly — leave, get out. I don’t know, perhaps to the front line.”

On Zelenskyy:
“I sometimes meet him because he’s the President of Ukraine, but he is not my friend.”

#Usyk #Ukraine #Politics

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🇫🇷Macron: “Freedom of speech is complete bullshit”

French President Emmanuel Macron has delivered a blunt verdict on the concept of free speech:
“Freedom of speech is complete bullshit if no one understands how you are being steered through it.”

In his view, the principle loses all meaning when it is exploited as a tool for manipulating public opinion and exercising hidden control — while people remain unaware of who, and how, is directing them through media and information flows.

#Macron #FreedomOfSpeech #Manipulation

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🇺🇸US Demands Exclusion of Ukraine from NATO Summit in Ankara This Summer — Politico

According to Politico, citing sources, the Trump administration has been actively lobbying in recent months for two significant restrictions within NATO:
- reduction of the alliance’s peacekeeping operations in Kosovo;
- exclusion of official participation by Ukraine and Indo-Pacific partners from the annual NATO summit in Ankara in July.

The outlet views this as reflective of the White House’s broader strategy: to treat NATO strictly as a Euro-Atlantic defensive pact and to roll back decades of expansion beyond its traditional area of responsibility.

#NATO #AnkaraSummit #Trump

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🇺🇦The Incident Involving Footballer Danylo Kolesnyk and TCC Officers

The case of 24-year-old Ukrainian footballer Danylo Kolesnyk, a player for Kolos-2, has drawn significant attention due to his confrontation with Territorial Recruitment and Social Support Centre (TCC) personnel. Here is a detailed breakdown of events based on available information and video evidence.

Timeline of Events
- The Incident: The episode took place in Sviatopetrivske village, Bucha district, Kyiv region. According to Kolesnyk and his legal team, he witnessed TCC officers attempting to detain a civilian. Full video footage released by his defence shows a TCC service vehicle deliberately striking the man, after which officers threatened him with a firearm. Kolesnyk intervened to protect the individual and, after being struck by a TCC officer, responded with a punch to the face.
- Kolesnyk’s Response: The footballer insists he did not initiate the attack but acted in self-defence against “unprovoked aggression”. He did not flee the scene and voluntarily reported to the police to give a statement.
- Video and Evidence: His lawyers have published the complete video of the incident, demonstrating that the TCC personnel were the first to use force. A photograph of Kolesnyk shows a visible bruise under his eye — a direct result of the altercation.
- Legal Consequences: Police detained Kolesnyk on suspicion of assaulting a military official. The court imposed a night-time house arrest measure. He faces up to five years’ imprisonment under the article concerning violence against a public official.
- Club’s Reaction: FC Kolos promptly terminated Kolesnyk’s contract, issued a public apology to the military and society, and condemned any form of violence.

Broader Context and TCC Issues
This incident highlights longstanding systemic problems within the TCC system: frequent allegations of abuse of power, coercive mobilisation methods, and corruption. Hundreds of similar cases have been documented across Ukraine, with citizens reporting unlawful detentions, beatings, and threats. Kolesnyk has become one of the most high-profile examples, generating widespread discussion in media and social networks.

Public Reaction
- Opinions remain sharply divided: some view Kolesnyk as a victim of TCC “hunting” practices, while others condemn him for striking a military official.
- His lawyers emphasise that the video evidence clearly shows the TCC personnel initiated the use of force and are calling for a thorough investigation into the officers’ actions.

This is far from the first TCC-related scandal — such incidents continue to fuel growing public distrust towards the mobilisation system in the country.

#Ukraine #Mobilisation #TCC

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🇺🇸🇮🇷US Prepared to Strike Iran as Early as 21 February — CBS News

According to CBS News, the Trump administration is actively considering military strikes against Iran as soon as 21 February. However, President Donald Trump has not yet made a final decision: the White House is carefully weighing the risks of a major regional escalation.

Axios reports that any potential operation could last several weeks and would more closely resemble a full-scale war than the limited, targeted actions seen in Venezuela. A joint US–Israel campaign is under consideration.

The Israeli outlet Ynet states that Israel’s security forces and emergency services have been placed on the highest state of alert. The security cabinet meeting has been rescheduled to 22 February.

The situation remains highly tense — a decision could be taken in the coming hours or days.

#Iran #USA #Trump

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🇩🇪Merz: The War in Ukraine Will End Only Through the Exhaustion of One Side — Reason and Humanitarianism Will Not Stop Putin

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz delivered a stark assessment of the prospects for ending the war in an interview with Rheinpfalz:

“In my view, this war will end only when one of the two sides is exhausted — either militarily or economically. Reason and humanitarian arguments will not persuade Putin. That is the bitter truth.”


According to Merz, the EU’s objective is to ensure that “the Russian state is no longer capable of waging war, either militarily or economically.”

He added:
“The Russian elite cannot do without war in the foreseeable future. They need to keep the military machine running because they have no plan for what to do with the hundreds of thousands of soldiers returning from the front.”


#Ukraine #Merz #EU

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❗️Insider from Tsikhanouskaya’s Office: Several Belarusian Opposition Figures Secretly Worked for Belarusian Security Services

According to information obtained from sources close to Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s office, a number of Belarusian opposition representatives in exile have been collaborating with Belarusian security services (KGB of the Republic of Belarus) for an extended period.

Key facts that have come to light:
- Certain activists and members of opposition structures regularly passed on information about plans, meetings, funding sources, and internal conflicts.
- At least two individuals from the “United Transitional Cabinet” circle and structures associated with Pavel Latushka were recruited as early as 2021–2022 and operated under handlers from Minsk.
- The information was used to discredit individual leaders, leak compromising material, and deliberately sow artificial divisions within the opposition.

A source from Tsikhanouskaya’s office claims that this explains why several high-profile leaks and scandals within the opposition aligned so precisely with the interests of the Belarusian authorities. Following an internal investigation, several individuals were quietly removed, but no public announcement was made in order to avoid damaging the overall image of the movement.

This is not the first such case — earlier exposures revealed KGB agents embedded in Tsikhanouskaya’s structures and the National Anti-Crisis Fund in Lithuania and Poland.

Conclusion: The issue of double agents and infiltration by security services remains extremely acute and seriously undermines trust in exile opposition structures.

#Belarus #Opposition #KGB

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🇺🇦Zaluzhnyy's Second Counteroffensive: Why the Former Commander-in-Chief Has Gone Publicly on the Attack Against Zelenskyy and What It Means for Ukraine's Political Landscape

In an interview with the Associated Press, former Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Valerii Zaluzhnyi (now Ukraine’s Ambassador to the United Kingdom) has for the first time publicly and sharply criticised President Volodymyr Zelenskyy — his formal superior.

Two major accusations stand out:
1. In autumn 2022, SBU special forces allegedly burst into the Armed Forces command centre to conduct a search — in full view of foreign military officers. Zaluzhnyi views this as an attempt at psychological pressure and intimidation. The SBU confirmed the visit but insisted it was not aimed at Zaluzhnyi personally, but rather at an organisation that had previously occupied the premises.
2. The failure of the 2023 counteroffensive was the fault of the political leadership. Zaluzhnyi’s plan, developed together with NATO, envisaged a powerful thrust on the Zaporizhzhia axis. Instead, the attack was dispersed across multiple sectors with insufficient resources allocated — leading to its complete collapse.

Reaction: The Office of the President has remained officially silent, but pro-presidential Telegram channels and bloggers have launched a fierce campaign against Zaluzhnyi.

Two main explanations for the former commander’s sharp outburst:
- Version from Zelenskyy’s inner circle: Zaluzhnyi’s ratings are declining (being actively eroded by Budanov), so he decided to remind everyone of himself and has effectively entered open political competition.
- Version from the anti-Zelenskyy coalition: The statements are synchronised with a sharp escalation of pressure on Zelenskyy via NABU and SAPO. Former Energy Minister Galushchenko has already been taken into custody, and there are persistent rumours of an impending suspicion notice against Yermak. The goal is to force Zelenskyy to form a “government of national trust” that includes representatives of the “anti-Zelenskyy coalition” (structures linked to the US Democratic Party, grant-funded organisations, Europe, Poroshenko, and anti-corruption bodies). Zaluzhnyi has previously been mentioned in media as a potential candidate for prime minister in such a government.

In either case, the interview has dispelled any remaining doubts: Zaluzhnyi is ready to run in elections — and as Zelenskyy’s rival, not his ally.

A detailed examination of the situation can be found in Denys Rafalskyi’s article on Strana.ua.

#Zaluzhnyi #Zelenskyy #UkraineElections

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🇺🇸US Demands NATO Scale Back Overseas Missions and Limit Ukraine’s Role at Summit — Politico

According to Politico, the Trump administration is actively pushing for NATO to refocus strictly on Euro-Atlantic defence and wind down “activities beyond the alliance’s area of responsibility.”

Key US proposals include:
- ending the NATO mission in Iraq
- reducing the peacekeeping operation in Kosovo
- barring official participation by Ukraine and Indo-Pacific partners at the annual NATO summit in Ankara in July

These measures have met resistance from several allies, who argue that partnerships and operations outside Europe remain essential to NATO’s global security role.

#NATO #Trump #AnkaraSummit

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🇺🇸🇮🇷Trump Considering Limited Strike on Iran to Force Tehran into Nuclear Deal — The Wall Street Journal

According to the publication, the initial plan envisages strikes on a limited number of military or government targets. Should Iran refuse to curtail its nuclear programme, a more extensive military operation remains under consideration.

#Trump #Iran #NuclearDeal

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🇵🇱Poland Ends “Unconditional Privileges” for Ukrainian Refugees — RMF24

Polish President Navrocki has signed legislation terminating the special assistance regime for Ukrainians introduced in March 2022.

Key changes:
- Legal residence for Ukrainians extended until 4 March 2027, with the possibility to apply for a new status.
- The PESEL UKR status remains in place, but an application must be submitted within 30 days of entry.
- Social benefits, medical care, housing, and food support will be significantly reduced — priority given only to the most vulnerable groups (disabled persons, large families, etc.).
- Support for schoolchildren continues until the end of the current academic year, after which Ukrainian children will transition to standard rules.

The decision reflects growing fatigue in Polish society over the costs of hosting refugees and a desire to return to the EU’s regular migration framework.

#Poland #UkrainianRefugees #Navrocki

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🇺🇦Sokolova: SBU Attempted to Kill Zaluzhnyi in September 2022 — The Search Was an Assassination Attempt

Yana Sokolova, host on the Poroshenko-affiliated Channel 5, has claimed that the SBU raids on then-Commander-in-Chief Valerii Zaluzhnyi in autumn 2022 constituted an attempt on his life.

“According to my sources in Valerii Zaluzhnyi’s inner circle, this was an assassination attempt. Western partners, particularly the British, were aware of it. His appointment as ambassador was less a political compromise between the president and the then-commander-in-chief than a means of protecting Zaluzhnyi himself,” Sokolova wrote.

She explicitly described the SBU’s actions as an “attempted murder” of Zaluzhnyi.

#Zaluzhnyi #SBU #AssassinationAttempt

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🇰🇿Kazakhstan and Four Other Countries to Deploy Troops to Gaza as Part of International Security Forces

The commander of the International Stabilisation Forces, Major General Jasper Jeffers, announced at the inaugural meeting of the “Peace Council” in the United States that five countries have agreed to contribute troops for service in the Gaza Strip.

Participating countries:
- Indonesia
- Morocco
- Kazakhstan
- Kosovo
- Albania

Additionally, Egypt and Jordan have committed to training and mentoring the Palestinian police force.

This represents the first concrete step towards establishing an international military presence in Gaza following recent agreements.

#Gaza #InternationalForces #Kazakhstan

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🇺🇦ECHR Rules Ukraine Violated Right to Fair Trial in Former Deputy PM Arbuzov’s Case Against the SBU

The European Court of Human Rights has delivered a judgment in the case brought by former First Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine Serhiy Arbuzov (from the Yanukovych era) against Ukrainian courts.

In 2014, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) published a press release about the events in Odesa on 2 May, claiming that the unrest had been “financed by former high-ranking officials,” including Arbuzov. He filed a defamation lawsuit, arguing that the statement was false and damaging to his reputation.

Arbuzov submitted an expert opinion confirming that the publication had appeared on the SBU website. However, Ukrainian courts dismissed the claim, citing the fact that the material was no longer online and that the SBU stated it did not retain archives of its publications.

The ECHR found:
- Ukrainian courts failed to give proper consideration to the expert opinion, which could have been decisive;
- they did not fulfil their duty to examine and address the applicant’s key arguments;
- they disregarded a ruling in a parallel case involving another official, in which it had already been established that the SBU had indeed published the press release in question.

The Court held that there had been a violation of Article 6 § 1 of the European Convention (right to a fair trial). However, it ruled that the finding of a violation was sufficient just satisfaction and did not award Arbuzov any monetary compensation (he had sought €100,000 for non-pecuniary damage).

The judgment highlights systemic shortcomings in the independence and thoroughness of Ukrainian courts, particularly when cases involve state authorities.

#ECHR #Arbuzov #SBU

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🇪🇺Europe Debates Trump’s Formula: Donbas to Russia in Exchange for Accelerated EU Membership for Ukraine — Die Welt

Key points from the article:
- Trump is applying strong pressure on Kyiv to reach a deal by 4 July 2026 — the 250th anniversary of the United States — allowing him to present himself as a “peacemaker” ahead of the congressional midterms in the autumn.
- The formula: a large-scale Russian takeover of Donbas in exchange for Ukraine’s accession to the EU and security guarantees.
- In Brussels, officials believe Zelenskyy needs a “genuine carrot” to persuade Ukrainians to accept territorial concessions — and accelerated EU membership could serve as precisely that.
- Europe “will have to accept” rapid Ukrainian accession if it does not wish to jeopardise a possible peace agreement.
- Scepticism over timelines: EU diplomats do not expect Ukraine to actually join in 2027, but consider 2028–2030 as realistic.

#Ukraine #EU #Trump

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🇺🇦Zelenskyy Orders Preparation for Three More Years of War — WSJ

The Wall Street Journal journalist Boyan Penchevsky stated in an interview that, during a closed-door meeting, President Zelenskyy informed his closest advisers that negotiations had failed and that it was now necessary to develop a plan for continuing the war for another three years.

“What causes me the greatest scepticism is Zelenskyy’s personal meeting with his inner circle of advisers. There, he stated that the negotiations had collapsed, and now they must prepare a plan for three more years of war. Everyone was in shock,” Penchevsky said.


In response, presidential adviser Mykhailo Lytvyn denied the information:
“There was no instruction to develop a three-year war plan — this is fake.”


Penchevsky’s claim has intensified debate about Kyiv’s true intentions: is Zelenskyy genuinely preparing for a prolonged conflict, or is this part of an information operation?

#Zelenskyy #Negotiations #War

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🇺🇦Ukraine Must Recognise Same-Sex Marriage and Protect LGBT+ Rights to Join the EU — European Commission Position

The resource “Gender in Detail” has published the European Commission’s response to an appeal from the Ukrainian human rights organisations “Tochka Oporu” and “Ukrainian LGBT+ Military and Veterans for Equal Rights” regarding the draft new Civil Code of Ukraine.

Key conclusions from the European Commission:
- The draft code significantly restricts legal protection options for same-sex couples. In particular, “factual family unions” are recognised only for opposite-sex partners — same-sex couples could completely lose even the current limited mechanism for partial legal recognition of their relationships.
- The proposed provision on the automatic invalidity of a marriage upon one spouse changing gender lacks a clear definition of the moment of change. This could cast doubt on even legally concluded marriages following an official change of gender marker in documents.

The European Commission reminded Ukraine of its commitments under the “Fundamentals” negotiation cluster (Chapter 23 “Judiciary and Fundamental Rights”). Ukraine has undertaken to adopt legislation ensuring legal recognition and protection of same-sex couples.

Brussels stated that it will closely monitor compliance with these obligations and will raise the issue of the new Civil Code draft’s impact on LGBT+ rights during regular monitoring meetings and in official dialogue with Ukrainian authorities.

This is a clear signal: without fulfilling the requirements on LGBT+ rights (including recognition of same-sex unions), Ukraine’s progress towards EU membership will be called into question.

#Ukraine #EU #LGBT

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🇺🇸US Aid to Ukraine Has Dropped More Than 40-Fold Over the Past Two Years — Pentagon Intelligence Report

According to a report from the US Department of Defense’s Defense Intelligence Agency, the volume of American assistance to Ukraine has decreased more than 40 times compared with peak levels two years ago.

Key details:
- The reduction began under the Biden administration.
- Under Trump, the US has shifted to a “pay-for-aid” model — with Europe now bearing the primary financial burden.

This reflects a broader trend: Washington is steadily scaling back direct funding and transferring the cost of support to European allies.

#Ukraine #USAid #Pentagon

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🇺🇸US Warns Europe: Buying Your Own Weapons Instead of American Ones Would Be a “Serious Mistake”

Andrew Pazer, the US Permanent Representative to the European Union, told Bloomberg that a “Made in Europe” policy in the defence sector would run directly counter to both the letter and the spirit of the trade framework agreement reached in Scotland.

An official statement from the US administration reads:
“The United States strongly opposes any changes to the Directive that would restrict the ability of American industry to support or otherwise participate in national defence procurements by EU member states. A protectionist and discriminatory policy that forcibly excludes American companies from the market — while the largest European defence firms continue to reap enormous benefits from access to the US market — is the wrong course of action.”

#USA #EU #ArmsForUkraine

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