Monday, February 24
Russia’s war against Ukraine
Thousands of people rally in support of Ukraine in Toronto, Canada, on Feb. 23, 2025, ahead of the third anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. (Dmytro Basmat / The Kyiv Independent)
Zelensky willing to step down in exchange for peace. “I am focusing on security today and not in 20 years time. I don’t plan to be in power for 10 years,” Zelensky told the forum.
Russia launches largest drone attack since start of full-scale invasion. Ukraine’s air defense shot down 138 drones while 119 decoy drones were lost.
Occupied Ukrainian territories have over $350 billion in natural resources, economy minister says. Yulia Svyrydenko’s comment comes as Kyiv and Washington negotiate a deal for Ukraine’s natural resources in return for support and security guarantees.
Zelensky won’t sign natural resource deal that ‘will be paid by 10 generations of Ukrainians.’ President Volodymyr Zelensky pushed back at the U.S.’ demand for a $500 billion deal for its natural resources, saying that the U.S.’s aid grants are not debts, during the Ukraine: Year 2025 forum in Kyiv on Feb. 23.
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‘Do international observers want to be placed in Pokrovsk?’ — Zelensky criticizes calls for elections following Trump’s comments. President Volodymyr Zelensky lambasted ongoing calls to hold elections in Ukraine during a press conference on Feb. 23 amid an unstable security situation across the country.
Ukraine has alternatives to Starlink system. Defense Minister Rustem Umerov did not specify what the alternatives were or go into details about the discussions. Last month, the Digital Transformation Ministry told the Kyiv Independent that Starlinks were still a critical part of communication on the frontline and that a new order was underway.
Hungary playing role in spreading disinformation about rationale for Russia’s invasion to Trump’s team, Zelensky says. “I know that there are people from this Hungarian leader who have contact with people in President Trump’s orbit, and are constantly raising questions… in regards to not expanding NATO into eastern Europe,” President Volodymyr Zelensky said, criticizing Kremlin talking points that NATO was at fault for Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Ukraine plans to end war this year, FM says. Andrii Sybiha noted that this is the goal of President Volodymyr Zelensky and told partners that “it is time to fasten our diplomatic seat belts” and “not give in to emotions.”
Read our exclusives
Ukraine war latest: Zelensky willing to step down in exchange for peace; Russia launches largest drone attack since start of full-scale invasion
Talks about elections in Ukraine have amplified in recent months despite martial law prohibiting them. Zelensky, who was elected in 2019 for five years, came under fire from U.S. President Donald Trump who recently accused the Ukrainian leader of not wanting to hold elections.
Photo: Paul Morigi / Getty Images
US sidelines Ukraine in favor of Russia | Ukraine This Week
International response
Thousands rally across Europe, Canada ahead of 3rd anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion. Thousands of people rallied in support of Ukraine on Feb. 23 ahead of the third anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion which began on Feb. 24, 2022.
Trudeau presses Trump on Ukraine peace deal ahead of Kyiv summit. During a phone call with U.S. President Donald Trump, Justin Trudeau emphasized that any Ukraine deal must not be seen as appeasement by Russian President Vladimir Putin, warning that it could lead to future land grabs in eastern Europe and the Baltics.
Starmer urges Trump to put Ukraine at center of peace negotiations. Starmer will visit Washington D.C. in the coming week where he will meet Trump and emphasize that Kyiv “must be at the heart of any negotiations to end the war.”
Ukraine needs the US to win, says Polish PM. The Polish leader told reporters that President Donald Trump is determined to end Russia’s war on Ukraine adding that Russia cannot be allowed to win.
US envoy suggests Ukraine-Russia peace deal is close. The United States is reportedly nearing a peace agreement between Ukraine and Russia, according to Steve Witkoff, the U.S. envoy to the Middle East. He said that any potential deal would require both territorial and economic concessions from both sides.
In other news
CDU wins German election, Friedrich Merz raises NATO concerns. Germany’s center-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU) is set to return to power, with the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) emerging as the second-largest party, according to Feb. 23 exit polls.
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Today’s Ukraine Daily was brought to you by Francis Farrell, Dominic Culverwell, Dmytro Basmat, Olena Goncharova, and Abbey Fenbert.
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