Key developments on Feb. 20:
- Zelensky-Kellogg assembly ends with no joint statements at US request, spokesperson says
- Starmer to pitch plan on 30,000 European peacekeepers in Ukraine to Trump, Telegraph reviews
- US refuses to co-sponsor UN decision condemning Russia, resists labeling Moscow 'aggressor' in G7 assertion, media report
- Russia holds 'the playing cards' in doable peace talks, Trump says
- Ukraine behind FPV goggles explosions in Russia, supply claims
- Russia claims to retake 64% of Kursk Oblast territories seized by Ukraine
President Volodymyr Zelensky met with Keith Kellogg, U.S. President Donald Trump's particular envoy for Ukraine, in Kyiv on Feb. 20.
"We mentioned intimately the state of affairs on the battlefield and how you can return all our POWs (prisoners of battle), in addition to efficient safety ensures," the president said on Telegram after the assembly.
In response to Zelensky, Ukraine is prepared for a powerful, helpful settlement with the U.S. concerning investments and safety. "We’ve got proposed the quickest and most constructive strategy to obtain outcomes," he mentioned.
The assembly in Kyiv was anticipated to be adopted by a press briefing, however Washington requested that no joint statements be made, Zelensky's spokesperson, Serhii Nykyforov, told reporters.
Kellogg arrived in Ukraine on Feb. 19 as a part of Washington's efforts to dealer a decision to Russia's full-scale battle. Upon arrival, he mentioned his major mission was to "listen" to Kyiv's issues and relay his findings to the White Home.
The go to follows U.S.-Russia negotiations in Saudi Arabia on Feb. 18, the place American and Russian officers mentioned the battle with out Ukrainian participation. Zelensky strongly rejected the thought of peace talks being carried out behind Ukraine's again.
Zelensky's assembly with Kellogg comes amid rising tensions between Kyiv and Washington, as Trump has made a number of false remarks about Ukraine in latest days, together with calling Zelensky a "dictator" and accusing him of refusing to carry elections.
His claims ignore the truth that Ukraine's structure prohibits elections throughout martial law, which has been in impact since Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022.
Throughout his go to to Ukraine, Kellogg additionally met with high Ukrainian army and authorities officers.
Kellogg's function in Trump's peace efforts stays unclear, as he was not concerned within the Feb. 18 talks in Saudi Arabia. Some consultants recommend he has been sidelined on account of his perceived pro-Ukraine stance and alleged Russian objections to his participation.
Trump's latest remarks have raised issues in Kyiv and amongst European allies about Washington's shifting stance on the battle.
The Kyiv IndependentKateryna Denisova
Starmer to pitch plan on 30,000 European peacekeepers in Ukraine to Trump, Telegraph reviews
U.Ok. Prime Minister Keir Starmer will current U.S. President Donald Trump with a plan to deploy as much as 30,000 European troops to observe a doable ceasefire in Ukraine, the Telegraph reported on Feb. 19, citing undisclosed Western officers.
Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron are going to travel to the U.S. subsequent week to debate the prospects of peace negotiations with Trump.
European leaders gathered in Paris on Feb. 17 for an emergency summit amid issues that Washington is advancing peace talks with Moscow with out Europe’s involvement. A broader assembly was held on Feb. 19, after which Macron reaffirmed the "united" stance of France and its allies on Ukraine.
Starmer is reportedly planning to disclose particulars of how European troops would be capable of implement any ceasefire brokered by Trump.
In response to the plan, European troops could be deployed in Ukrainian cities, ports, and different vital infrastructure reminiscent of nuclear energy vegetation "distant from the present entrance strains," the Telegraph wrote.
The U.S. has dominated out sending its own troops whereas encouraging European allies to take the lead in securing Ukraine's post-war stability.
A Western official claimed the mission would depend on "technical monitoring," together with intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance plane, in addition to drones and satellites. Additionally they added that enough firepower would help the mission to "monitor and shoot these assaults down" to reopen Ukraine's airspace and permit business flights.
The aim of this help is to make sure that "no matter forces are deployed won’t be challenged by Russia," a supply informed the newspaper.
In response to the Telegraph, Starmer will urge Trump to maintain U.S. fighter jets and missiles in NATO international locations in Jap Europe prepared to answer any future Russian aggression.
Aside from the U.Ok. and France, different international locations stay cautious about sending their troops to Ukraine, citing issues over the escalation and restricted army sources, according to the Washington Put up.
President Volodymyr Zelensky introduced that Kyiv had made vital progress in securing a overseas army presence on its territory.
On Jan. 22, Zelensky mentioned the number of European peacekeepers required to keep up peace in Ukraine would rely upon the dimensions of Ukraine's personal army.
The Kyiv IndependentPhilippe Legrain
US refuses to co-sponsor UN decision condemning Russia, resists labeling Moscow 'aggressor' in G7 assertion, media report
The U.S. is refusing to co-sponsor a UN decision marking the third anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion, which reaffirms Ukraine's territorial integrity and condemns Moscow's aggression, Reuters reported on Feb. 20, citing sources acquainted with the matter.
"In earlier years, the US has constantly co-sponsored such resolutions in help of a simply peace in Ukraine," a supply informed Reuters.
The upcoming UN vote, thought of a key indicator of worldwide help for Ukraine, can proceed with out U.S. backing however might wrestle to achieve widespread help within the Normal Meeting.
The U.S. additionally opposed straight calling Russia the "aggressor" in a G7 assertion marking the anniversary of the invasion, according to the Monetary Instances. That is the primary time the U.S. has pushed again on such language.
The reviews observe latest diplomatic efforts by U.S. President Donald Trump's administration to have interaction with Russia, in addition to a lot of Trump's false accusations in opposition to Ukraine and its President Volodymyr Zelensky.
On Feb. 18, Secretary of State Marco Rubio led a U.S. delegation to Saudi Arabia for direct talks with Russian International Minister Sergey Lavrov.
Trump has made a number of controversial statements about Ukraine in latest days, together with calling President Volodymyr Zelensky a "dictator" and falsely accusing him of refusing to carry elections.
His claims ignore the truth that Ukraine's structure prohibits elections throughout martial law, which has been in impact since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in 2022.
Trump has additionally instructed that Ukraine ought to repay the U.S. for its army help via a deal involving the nation's pure sources, claiming — with out proof — that Kyiv had "primarily agreed" to a deal worth $500 billion.
On Feb. 19, Zelensky mentioned that Ukraine's wartime army bills had totaled $320 billion, with the U.S. and EU offering a mixed $200 billion in protection help.
"We, the folks of Ukraine, (coated) $120 billion, the U.S. and the EU — $200 billion. We’re speaking about arms; it is a weapons bundle value $320 billion," Zelensky mentioned in Kyiv.
Trump's latest remarks have raised issues in Kyiv and amongst European allies about Washington's shifting stance on the battle.
The Kyiv IndependentElsa Court
Russia holds 'the playing cards' in doable peace talks, Trump says
U.S. President Donald Trump mentioned that Russia holds "the playing cards" in any peace talks with Ukraine as they occupy a big a part of Ukrainian territory, the BBC reported on Feb. 20.
"I believe the Russians wish to see the battle finish, I actually do. I believe they’ve the playing cards slightly bit, as a result of they've taken plenty of territory. They’ve the playing cards," Trump told journalists on Air Pressure One.
A U.S. delegation led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio met top Russian officials for talks in Saudi Arabia on Feb. 18, marking the highest-level assembly between the 2 sides because the outbreak of the full-scale battle in 2022. Ukraine was not invited to take part.
No concrete selections had been introduced following the U.S.-Russia talks, although each Moscow and Washington praised the assembly as constructive. Ukraine's exclusion sparked alarm in Kyiv and Europe.
The U.S. and Russia signaled {that a} assembly between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin may happen earlier than the top of February.
Talking after the Riyadh talks, Trump voiced his perception that Russia needs to finish the battle and laid the blame for the continuing hostilities on Ukraine. He subsequently attacked President Volodymyr Zelensky as a "dictator with out elections" whereas urgent the besieged nation to carry a vote.
Kremlin propaganda has pushed the narrative that Zelensky is an illegitimate chief, counting on the premise that his first presidential time period was initially meant to finish on Could 20, 2024. Trump's declare ignores the truth that Ukraine's structure prohibits elections throughout martial law, which has been in impact since Russia's full-scale invasion started in 2022.
Ukraine behind FPV goggles explosions in Russia, supply claims
A Ukrainian army intelligence (HUR) operation was behind the detonations of goggles for first-person-view (FPV) drones utilized by Russian troopers, a HUR supply informed the Kyiv Unbiased on Feb. 20.
The information comes after Russian pro-war Telegram channels reported a sequence of explosions of FPV goggles whereas they had been being utilized by Russian drone operators.
In response to the supply, HUR purchased a big batch of FPV goggles for the operation and rigged them with explosives and a detonation mechanism.
"Russian volunteers" subsequently donated the goggles to Russian drone models "in coordination" with the company, based on the supply.
"At this time, the horrors of battle are actually occurring proper earlier than the eyes of Russian FPV pilots. This can be a well-deserved punishment for the battle crimes that the Russian occupiers commit in opposition to Ukraine every single day," the HUR supply mentioned.
The Kyiv Unbiased couldn’t confirm these claims.
All through Russia’s full-scale invasion, Ukraine and Russia have closely invested in drone technology, revolutionizing warfare.
Varied aerial, naval, and floor drones have been developed and sometimes efficiently used for reconnaissance, fight, and different duties by Ukrainian troops.
FPV drones are low-cost to fabricate and may be exactly flown into targets, permitting their customers to destroy rather more costly army tools.
The Kyiv IndependentKollen Post
Russia claims to retake 64% of Kursk Oblast territories seized by Ukraine
Russian troops have regained management of about 64% of the territory in its Kursk Oblast captured by Ukraine, senior Russian Normal Employees officer Sergei Rudsky claimed in an interview with the Russian Protection Ministry newspaper printed on Feb. 20.
Ukraine launched a shock cross-border incursion into Kursk Oblast in August 2024. In response to Rudsky, Ukrainian troopers are accountable for about 500 sq. kilometers (193 sq. miles) out of 1,268 sq. kilometers (490 sq. miles) initially seized by Kyiv.
The Russian normal claimed that Russian troops had been now advancing in Kursk Oblast in all instructions, and the Ukrainian military was "retreating from their positions."
The Ukrainian army has not commented on the claims, which couldn’t be independently verified.
Russian President Vladimir Putin claimed on Feb. 18 that Russian forces had crossed into Ukrainian territory from Kursk Oblast, which Ukraine's Normal Employees dismissed.
Regardless of months of being on the defensive, Ukrainian forces reportedly superior 2.5 kilometers (1.5 miles) within the area in a new offensive in early February.
Over six months of preventing within the area, Russian casualties have reached practically 40,000 personnel, together with over 16,000 killed, Ukraine's Normal Employees reported on Feb. 6. One other 909 have been reportedly taken as prisoners of battle.
Ukraine is probably going wanting to make use of its foothold in Kursk Oblast as leverage in potential peace talks.
Russia's forces in Kursk Oblast have been bolstered by North Korean troops, deployed final fall to assist counter the Ukrainian incursion.
President Volodymyr Zelensky famous that the offensive disrupted Russia's means to hold out large-scale operations in northeastern and southern Ukraine.
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