🇺🇦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.
In response, presidential adviser Mykhailo Lytvyn denied the information:
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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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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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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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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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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🇺🇦Zaluzhnyi in New Guardian Interview Accuses Zelenskyy: Failure to Introduce Martial Law Before Invasion Cost Ukraine Enormously
In an interview with the British newspaper The Guardian, former Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Valerii Zaluzhnyi has for the first time publicly criticised President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for refusing to introduce martial law in the lead-up to Russia’s full-scale invasion.
Key statements from Zaluzhnyi:
- “Martial law should have been introduced in January, or at the very latest in February. You’re about to fight Mike Tyson, but the only fight you’ve had before is a pillow fight with your younger brother. It’s a one-in-a-million chance, and you have to be ready.”
- He raised the issue of martial law several times but received support only from Defence Minister Reznikov. Zelenskyy feared panic and refused. In the end, the National Security and Defence Council agreed only to a state of emergency.
- As a result, Ukraine was unable to prepare properly. Some defensive measures were taken by generals on their own initiative, under threat of criminal prosecution: mines were laid on the Black Sea floor at the last moment to protect Odesa from a possible amphibious landing, and certain units were ordered to redeploy to more strategic locations.
- Zelenskyy himself went to bed calmly on the night of 23 February, convinced there would be no war. The next day, his wife hurriedly packed belongings while hearing explosions in the distance.
This is the second public accusation levelled by Zaluzhnyi against Zelenskyy in a short space of time — previously he blamed the president for the failure of the 2023 counteroffensive (detailed analysis here: https://news.1rj.ru/str/stranaua/226722).
Zaluzhnyi’s statements are heightening tensions between him and the Office of the President, and clearly signal that he is increasingly positioning himself as an independent political actor.
#Zaluzhnyi #Zelenskyy #War
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In an interview with the British newspaper The Guardian, former Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Valerii Zaluzhnyi has for the first time publicly criticised President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for refusing to introduce martial law in the lead-up to Russia’s full-scale invasion.
Key statements from Zaluzhnyi:
- “Martial law should have been introduced in January, or at the very latest in February. You’re about to fight Mike Tyson, but the only fight you’ve had before is a pillow fight with your younger brother. It’s a one-in-a-million chance, and you have to be ready.”
- He raised the issue of martial law several times but received support only from Defence Minister Reznikov. Zelenskyy feared panic and refused. In the end, the National Security and Defence Council agreed only to a state of emergency.
- As a result, Ukraine was unable to prepare properly. Some defensive measures were taken by generals on their own initiative, under threat of criminal prosecution: mines were laid on the Black Sea floor at the last moment to protect Odesa from a possible amphibious landing, and certain units were ordered to redeploy to more strategic locations.
- Zelenskyy himself went to bed calmly on the night of 23 February, convinced there would be no war. The next day, his wife hurriedly packed belongings while hearing explosions in the distance.
This is the second public accusation levelled by Zaluzhnyi against Zelenskyy in a short space of time — previously he blamed the president for the failure of the 2023 counteroffensive (detailed analysis here: https://news.1rj.ru/str/stranaua/226722).
Zaluzhnyi’s statements are heightening tensions between him and the Office of the President, and clearly signal that he is increasingly positioning himself as an independent political actor.
#Zaluzhnyi #Zelenskyy #War
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🇺🇸Pentagon Threatens Europe with Retaliatory Measures Over “Buy European” Programme — Politico
The Trump administration has formally warned the European Union that if the EU prioritises European defence manufacturers in its procurement decisions, the United States will respond with countermeasures.
According to Politico, the Pentagon is categorically opposed to any restrictions that would limit American companies’ participation in EU member states’ defence purchases. Washington insists that such a policy is unacceptable, despite European calls for greater strategic autonomy in defence and reduced reliance on the United States.
This is the latest sign of mounting tension in transatlantic relations: the US perceives European protectionism as a direct threat to its interests in the defence sector.
#USA #EU #DefenceIndustry
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The Trump administration has formally warned the European Union that if the EU prioritises European defence manufacturers in its procurement decisions, the United States will respond with countermeasures.
According to Politico, the Pentagon is categorically opposed to any restrictions that would limit American companies’ participation in EU member states’ defence purchases. Washington insists that such a policy is unacceptable, despite European calls for greater strategic autonomy in defence and reduced reliance on the United States.
This is the latest sign of mounting tension in transatlantic relations: the US perceives European protectionism as a direct threat to its interests in the defence sector.
#USA #EU #DefenceIndustry
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🇺🇸🇸🇦US May Grant Saudi Arabia Uranium Enrichment Technology — AP News
According to AP News, under a potential agreement with the United States, Saudi Arabia could be permitted to enrich uranium. This would include the production of nuclear fuel for power plants under strict International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) oversight.
Nuclear non-proliferation experts have expressed serious concern: centrifuges used for uranium enrichment could be diverted to develop a clandestine nuclear weapons programme.
The deal is seen as part of a broader US strategy to conclude up to 20 similar nuclear cooperation agreements with countries across the Middle East and Asia.
#SaudiArabia #NuclearProgramme #USA
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According to AP News, under a potential agreement with the United States, Saudi Arabia could be permitted to enrich uranium. This would include the production of nuclear fuel for power plants under strict International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) oversight.
Nuclear non-proliferation experts have expressed serious concern: centrifuges used for uranium enrichment could be diverted to develop a clandestine nuclear weapons programme.
The deal is seen as part of a broader US strategy to conclude up to 20 similar nuclear cooperation agreements with countries across the Middle East and Asia.
#SaudiArabia #NuclearProgramme #USA
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🇺🇦Zelenskyy Categorically Opposes Withdrawing Troops from Donbas Even for a Ceasefire — BBC Interview
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told the BBC in an interview that he firmly rejects the idea of pulling Ukrainian forces out of Donbas in exchange for halting hostilities.
Key quotes from Zelenskyy:
- “I see it differently. I don’t view this simply as land. I see it as abandoning and weakening our positions, as turning our backs on hundreds of thousands of our people who live there. That’s how I see it. And I am certain that such a ‘withdrawal’ would split our society.”
- He stressed that Ukraine will eventually reclaim all its lost territories, but that this is “a matter of time” because the Armed Forces currently lack sufficient weapons.
- For Zelenskyy, victory means above all preserving the independence and sovereignty of the country.
#Zelenskyy #Donbas #Negotiations
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told the BBC in an interview that he firmly rejects the idea of pulling Ukrainian forces out of Donbas in exchange for halting hostilities.
Key quotes from Zelenskyy:
- “I see it differently. I don’t view this simply as land. I see it as abandoning and weakening our positions, as turning our backs on hundreds of thousands of our people who live there. That’s how I see it. And I am certain that such a ‘withdrawal’ would split our society.”
- He stressed that Ukraine will eventually reclaim all its lost territories, but that this is “a matter of time” because the Armed Forces currently lack sufficient weapons.
- For Zelenskyy, victory means above all preserving the independence and sovereignty of the country.
#Zelenskyy #Donbas #Negotiations
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🇮🇷Student Protests and Clashes Resume in Iran — Reuters
According to Reuters, protests and clashes between students and security forces have broken out in several Iranian universities since yesterday.
Iranian state television broadcast footage showing individuals identified as “posing as students” attacking government supporters at the Tehran University of Technology and pelting them with stones.
Protests have also been reported at universities in Mashhad, where security forces intervened, resulting in injuries (according to US-based human rights groups).
To recall: in January 2026, Iran was swept by large-scale demonstrations that were brutally suppressed by the authorities (detailed coverage here: https://news.1rj.ru/str/stranaua/223223). Tehran at the time accused Israel and the United States of orchestrating them.
Negotiations between the US and Iran over a possible nuclear deal are currently under way. Against this backdrop,
#Iran #Protests #Trump
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According to Reuters, protests and clashes between students and security forces have broken out in several Iranian universities since yesterday.
Iranian state television broadcast footage showing individuals identified as “posing as students” attacking government supporters at the Tehran University of Technology and pelting them with stones.
Protests have also been reported at universities in Mashhad, where security forces intervened, resulting in injuries (according to US-based human rights groups).
To recall: in January 2026, Iran was swept by large-scale demonstrations that were brutally suppressed by the authorities (detailed coverage here: https://news.1rj.ru/str/stranaua/223223). Tehran at the time accused Israel and the United States of orchestrating them.
Negotiations between the US and Iran over a possible nuclear deal are currently under way. Against this backdrop,
#Iran #Protests #Trump
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🇲🇽Mexico: Leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, El Mencho, Eliminated
According to the Mexican outlet Millenio, citing government sources, security forces have killed Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, better known as El Mencho — the head of one of Mexico’s most powerful drug cartels, the Cartel Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG). The operation took place in northern Jalisco state.
The New York Times notes that under Oseguera’s leadership, CJNG became Mexico’s dominant criminal organisation, specialising in the trafficking of synthetic drugs (fentanyl and methamphetamine) into the United States.
Following confirmation of the leader’s death, CJNG gunmen launched large-scale retaliatory attacks across the country. Preliminary reports indicate:
- attacks on the airports of Puerto Vallarta and Guadalajara;
- an assault on a National Guard base in Jalisco state;
#Mexico #ElMencho #CJNG
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According to the Mexican outlet Millenio, citing government sources, security forces have killed Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, better known as El Mencho — the head of one of Mexico’s most powerful drug cartels, the Cartel Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG). The operation took place in northern Jalisco state.
The New York Times notes that under Oseguera’s leadership, CJNG became Mexico’s dominant criminal organisation, specialising in the trafficking of synthetic drugs (fentanyl and methamphetamine) into the United States.
Following confirmation of the leader’s death, CJNG gunmen launched large-scale retaliatory attacks across the country. Preliminary reports indicate:
- attacks on the airports of Puerto Vallarta and Guadalajara;
- an assault on a National Guard base in Jalisco state;
#Mexico #ElMencho #CJNG
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🇺🇸US Has Massively Increased Military Aircraft at Bases in Jordan and Saudi Arabia — Financial Times
According to the Financial Times, Washington has significantly boosted the number of military aircraft stationed at bases in Jordan and Saudi Arabia. The newspaper interprets this as a substantial concentration of forces in the Middle East in preparation for a potential military operation against Iran — one that could last several weeks.
#USA #Iran #MiddleEast
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According to the Financial Times, Washington has significantly boosted the number of military aircraft stationed at bases in Jordan and Saudi Arabia. The newspaper interprets this as a substantial concentration of forces in the Middle East in preparation for a potential military operation against Iran — one that could last several weeks.
#USA #Iran #MiddleEast
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🇺🇦150,000 Killed in Combat in Ukraine — Berlin-Based Rockwool Foundation Study (DW)
According to a study by the Berlin-based Rockwool Foundation, published by DW, approximately 150,000 people have died in Ukraine as a direct result of combat operations during the war.
Key findings from the report (focused on unemployment):
- Unemployment has fallen to 11% (down from 20% at the start of the full-scale invasion).
- Real wages have returned to pre-war levels.
- One of the main drivers of these trends is a severe shortage of labour: the working-age population has shrunk by a quarter.
- Around 3 million people have left the country.
- Approximately 500,000 have been mobilised into the armed forces.
- 150,000 have been killed in combat.
For comparison:
- According to UN figures from February, roughly 15,000 civilians have been killed since the start of the war — implying military fatalities could account for around 135,000 (based on the Rockwool estimate).
- In early February, President Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine had lost 55,000 soldiers killed (https://news.1rj.ru/str/stranaua/225305).
- The American think tank CSIS estimates Ukrainian military fatalities in the range of 100,000–140,000 (https://news.1rj.ru/str/stranaua/224499).
While estimates vary widely, all independent assessments significantly exceed official figures released by Kyiv.
#Ukraine #MilitaryLosses #War
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According to a study by the Berlin-based Rockwool Foundation, published by DW, approximately 150,000 people have died in Ukraine as a direct result of combat operations during the war.
Key findings from the report (focused on unemployment):
- Unemployment has fallen to 11% (down from 20% at the start of the full-scale invasion).
- Real wages have returned to pre-war levels.
- One of the main drivers of these trends is a severe shortage of labour: the working-age population has shrunk by a quarter.
- Around 3 million people have left the country.
- Approximately 500,000 have been mobilised into the armed forces.
- 150,000 have been killed in combat.
For comparison:
- According to UN figures from February, roughly 15,000 civilians have been killed since the start of the war — implying military fatalities could account for around 135,000 (based on the Rockwool estimate).
- In early February, President Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine had lost 55,000 soldiers killed (https://news.1rj.ru/str/stranaua/225305).
- The American think tank CSIS estimates Ukrainian military fatalities in the range of 100,000–140,000 (https://news.1rj.ru/str/stranaua/224499).
While estimates vary widely, all independent assessments significantly exceed official figures released by Kyiv.
#Ukraine #MilitaryLosses #War
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