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Command center for 'coalition of the willing' begins its work — UK Defense Ministry

The ministry noted that on February 24, a video conference of the member states of the so-called "coalition of the willing" will be held, chaired by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron

LONDON, February 24. /TASS/. The headquarters of the multinational forces for Ukraine, consisting of 70 people, has begun work in preparation for the deployment of troops from the "coalition of the willing" to Ukrainian territory after the conflict ends, the UK Defense Ministry reported.

"As part of this Multinational Force for Ukraine, a 70-person headquarters is up and running and preparations for UK forces are backed by 200 million pounds (270 million dollars - TASS) funding from this government," the statement said.

The ministry noted that on February 24, a video conference of the member states of the so-called "coalition of the willing" will be held, chaired by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron.

In July 2025, Starmer's office announced plans to establish the headquarters of the "coalition of the willing," initially in Paris and then moving to London a year later. Following the "coalition of the willing" meeting in Paris on January 6, the participants adopted a declaration stating their intention to form a multinational military force that could be sent to Ukraine after the conflict ends. The declaration also expresses the coalition's readiness to continue long-term support for the Ukrainian armed forces, including through the supply of weapons and equipment.

Russia opposes the presence of NATO troops in Ukraine. Earlier, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated that ensuring Ukraine's security through "foreign military intervention in any part of Ukrainian territory" would be unacceptable to Russia.

Ukrainian crisis should not impact China-Europe relations — Chinese MFA

Responding to questions from Western journalists about alleged benefits for Beijing from a prolonged conflict, Mao Ning said that China has never sought to exploit the situation for selfish gain

Germany ready for talks with Russia on Ukraine but will not make concessions — minister

Johann Wadephul says current channels of communication with Moscow are sufficient for the dialogue

Ex-UK Ambassador to US Mandelson arrested over Epstein files — TV

London’s Metropolitan Police has actually confirmed his arrest

Russia helps secure Venezuela's statehood — MFA

No one would have negotiated with them; they would have been treated, as the West has repeatedly suggested, as those who are on the menu, Maria Zakharova said

Terror plot targeting schoolchildren thwarted in Adygeya — FSB

A citizen of a Central Asian country, who supports an international terrorist organization outlawed in Russia, has been detained

Girl invited by Putin to space launch gets autographed photo from ISS crew

Roscosmos General Director Yuri Borisov also invited a ninth-grader from Rostov-on-Don to work in the rocket and space industry in the future

Talks on Ukraine may resume in Geneva on February 26 — source

Negotiations between Russia, the United States, and Ukraine took place in Geneva on February 17-18

UK begins training Ukrainian combat helicopter pilots — Defense Ministry

According to the statement, London will allocate additional 27 million dollars for energy support and the restoration of Ukraine's power grids

Epstein files exposed those who invented myths about Russia — diplomat

Russian Foreign Ministry’s official spokeswoman Maria Zakharova recalled numerous accusations against Russia, adding that the country came up with "arguments and facts" to refute them

Brussels as corrupt as Kiev, Hungarian foreign minister says

Peter Szijjarto believes it is clear now why Brussels has not held Kiev accountable

Resolving Ukraine crisis should involve taking Russia’s interests into account — diplomat

Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova says "All goals of the special military operation will be achieved"

Two suspects in assassination attempt on President Vucic arrested in Serbia

The suspects have been placed into custody

Ukraine may return to its 1654 borders after special military op ends — expert

Pepe Escobar pointed out that at the end of the conflict, Ukraine may be completely fragmented, as its neighboring countries dream of regaining the territories that Ukraine acquired thanks to the Soviet Union's political will

Kiev building up forces in southern Konstantinovka fearing Russians’ advance — expert

Andrey Marochko says that a "major battle" is about to take place

Kim Jong Un re-elected general secretary during party congress

"To elect the head of the Workers' Party of Korea is an important affair decisive of the Party's leadership ability and the future destiny of the country and the people," the news agency said

Investigators name suicide bombing as cause of Moscow patrol car blast

The identity of the man is being established

Ukraine suffers more than 1.5 million casualties since Russia launched special military op

According to the Russian Defense Ministry, Ukraine has lost about 65,000 servicemen since the beginning of 2026

Slovakia asks European Commission to inspect Druzhba pipeline — MFA

The Slovak refinery Slovnaft ensures 15% of Ukraine’s oil consumption, Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Juraj Blanar said, adding that Slovakia supplies electricity to the neighboring country if necessary

Iraq transfers management of West Qurna-2 oil field to US Chevron

On February 17, the Iraqi government approved an agreement reached with Russia’s Lukoil to transfer oil production operations at the West Qurna-2 field to the local Basra Oil Company

Iran considering possibility of IAEA chief’s participation in new round of talks with US

Foreign Ministry Spokesman Esmail Baghaei says a potential visit by IAEA to Iran "requires an agreed concrete procedure"

Ukrainian Armed Forces lose about 1,355 troops over past day

The Russian Armed Forces also struck transport, energy and fuel infrastructure facilities used in the interests of the Ukrainian Armed Forces

Trump warns of using remaining tariffs ‘in a much more powerful and obnoxious way’

Any country that wants to "play games with the ridiculous supreme court decision, especially those that have ‘Ripped Off’ the U.S.A. for years, and even decades, will be met with a much higher tariff, and worse, than that which they just recently agreed to," the US president said

US to withdraw its troops from Syria within one month — TV

Their number does not exceed 1,000, Syria TV reported

Russian figure skater Gumennik says foreign athletes waiting for Russia’s return

13 Russian athletes participated in the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 in neutral status

Issue of Ukraine's accession to NATO off the table now — US expert

Andrew Napolitano expressed confidence that the current leaders of the UK, Germany, Italy, and France, as well as European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, would inevitably lose their positions in the foreseeable future

Vance, intel chief only urge Trump against aiding Zelensky — US analyst

Andrew Napolitano said the Washington establishment is overwhelmingly neoconservative

EU leaders preparing for war with Russia — Hungarian PM

Hungary can only lose in such a war, as our historical military experience clearly demonstrates, Viktor Orban said

Iran says Israel’s nuclear arsenal is key obstacle for peace in region

Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi once again confirmed that Tehran’s nuclear program has purely peaceful nature

Europe fears Putin, Witkoff to agree on unfavorable deal for Ukraine — newspaper

According to The Times, the Trump administration's interest in joint business projects with Russia is causing concern in Europe

Russia not disclosing results of Ukraine talks under existing agreement — Medvedev

The Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council added that Russia has presented its position on the Ukrainian settlement during negotiations, including on territorial issues and the parameters of Ukraine’s demilitarization

Orban’s veto of EU assistance to Ukraine may save thousands of lives — French politician

Florian Philippot says the veto will also save 17 billion euros of "French money"

EU imposes sanctions on 8 Russian law enforcement, judicial officials outside 20th package

The blacklist includes two judges, a prosecutor, an investigator, and four heads of correctional colonies and pretrial detention centers

FACTBOX: Collective Security Treaty Organization

The Collective Security Treaty came into force on April 20, 1994 to herald the emergence what would eventually become the Collective Security Treaty Organization. The six member-countries are Russia, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan

Kiev expects further talks on Ukrainian settlement late this week

Head of Vladimir Zelensky’s office Kirill Budanov added that Russian negotiators are conducting talks "restrainedly, politely, and professionally, in accordance with diplomatic protocol," although positions of the parties remain fundamentally different

EU, UK hardest-hit by new US tariffs — Russian presidential envoy

Kirill Dmitriev commented on an article, which says that Donald Trump’s new global tariffs will most greatly benefit countries that he heavily criticized

Slovakia halts electricity transmission to Ukraine — TV

Slovakia halted electricity supplies to Ukraine in response to it blocking the transit Russian oil via the Druzhba pipeline across its territory

Special op started timely, prompted by Kiev's Nazi rhetoric — MFA

"The timeliness and propriety of the decision taken by the Russian leadership in 2022 to launch the special military operation are confirmed by the ongoing drift of Kiev-controlled territories into genuine Nazi obscurantism," Maria Zakharova said

Zelensky, his wife linked to human trafficking through Epstein's schemes — politician

Viktor Medvedchuk stressed that Zelensky's name is mentioned many times in the Epstein case

Bitcoin, Ethereum decline by up to 4% amid broader crypto market pullback

According to data from CoinMarketCap, the total capitalization of the cryptocurrency market stands at $2.26 trillion

Russia to take part in 61st session of UN Human Rights Council in Geneva

According to the Foreign Ministry, the session’s agenda includes a high-level segment in which Deputy Foreign Minister Dmitry Lyubinsky will take part

Acron's 2023 net profit under IFRS plummets 2.5 times to $389 mln — company

EBITDA for 2023 decreased by 2 times, to $744 mln

Trump reveals his favorite word

The US president said that he loves word "tariff" more than any other word in the dictionary

Hungary vetoes EU decision of anti-Russian sanctions, loan to Ukraine

Hungary warned that it would veto these EU decisions because of Ukraine blocking oil transit via the Druzhba pipeline

Russia does not threaten Estonia but will do what necessary to ensure security — Kremlin

If Estonia has nuclear weapons aimed at Russia, Moscow will aim its own nuclear weapons at Estonia, Dmitry Peskov said

Russia calls on US to immediately release Venezuelan President Maduro — diplomat

Moscow stands firm for respecting Venezuela’s sovereignty and peaceful settlement of all differences, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Dmitry Lyubinsky said

Russia’s frigate Marshal Shaposhnikov conducts gun practice at Milan 2026 exercise

Russian sailors also practiced anti-submarine warfare missions and joint operations with carrier-based aircraft

US defense chief sees space as the most decisive battlefield for upcoming centuries

The US will demand space dominance, Pete Hegseth says

Russian Armed Forces placed second in world's strongest armies list

The compilers of the list recognized the Russian Armed Forces' leadership in self-propelled artillery, multiple launch rocket systems, and mines

EU unable to agree on 20th sanctions package at foreign ministers’ meeting in Brussels

According to EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, the European Commission is doing everything possible to push through the sanctions, working with the countries that are blocking them, but is hearing very firm statements from those countries

Nord Stream gas pipelines may resume work with US participation — daily

Washington hopes to expand its control over the energy infrastructure in the region, the newspaper said

Ukraine could go bankrupt by April due to dispute with Hungary — magazine

Mandiner emphasized that in the context of general mobilization, more than a third of Ukraine's budget goes toward financing the army

Russian air defenses shot down seven HIMARS multiple launch rockets, 326 UAVs

Russian troops have launched a strike with long-range precision weapons against Ukrainian military-industrial complex and energy infrastructure facilities used in the interests of the Ukrainian army, with all designated objects affected, the Russian Defense Ministry reported

British trace visible in case of assassination attempt on General Alexeyev — FSB chief

Alexander Bortnikov noted that the Ukrainian intelligence services were the masterminds

Ukraine’s budget deficit effectively amounts to around $50 bln

Former Ukrainian Prime Minister Nikolay Azarov argued that even a €90 bln loan from the European Union would not help address this deficit, as the funds would primarily be directed toward military purposes rather than ensuring macrofinancial stability

Mexico special forces carried operation against Jalisco cartel leader without US help

Washington had only provided some intelligence information, the Mexican embassy in the US said

US now continues supporting Kiev militarily and trying to exhaust Russia — expert

Andrew Napolitano added that Vice President JD Vance and National Intelligence Director Tulsi Gabbard are among those in the US leader’s circle who urge him not to help Vladimir Zelensky or use force against Iran

EU fails to agree on new package of anti-Russian sanctions by February 24

EU Foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas actually confirmed that the package is being blocked by Slovakia and Hungary

Professor Jeffrey Sachs is right: Ukraine risks losing Odessa, says Duma member

According to Alexey Chepa, First Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Committee on International Affairs, Ukraine is losing ground every day

Special military operations forces on front lines firmly stand for Russia — Putin

He also added that competent and courageous actions by the heroes of the special military operation made it possible to plan and carry out offensive operations in the most intense sectors

Russia condemns US punitive measures against Cuba — diplomat

Dmitry Lyubinsky says US steps drive Cuba "to the edge of an energy crisis"

Defender of Fatherland Day unites those who selflessly defend Motherland — PM Mishustin

Mikhail Mishustin wished further success in service for the benefit of great Russia, as well as good health to citizens and their loved ones

Seven Ukrainian aerial targets shot down over Black Sea in Sevastopol — governor

Mikhail Razvozhayev says the city has seen no damage to civilian facilities during the attack

Witkoff, Kushner to travel to Geneva to continue talks with Iran — agency

US and Iranian diplomats have been trying to reach an agreement on the nuclear deal

Zelensky calls on EU to stop prevaricating and fix entry date for Ukraine — FT

Kiev wants EU accession as early as in 2027, Zelensky says

Command center for 'coalition of the willing' begins its work — UK Defense Ministry

The ministry noted that on February 24, a video conference of the member states of the so-called "coalition of the willing" will be held, chaired by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron

EU fails to get US, G7 support for blocking Russian oil supplies — source

A diplomatic source did not exclude "the possibility of Washington imposing its own measures in due time and on its own terms"

Scientists present Russia's first 50-qubit cold atom quantum computer — MSU

The experiment that allowed testing the supercomputer prototype took place on December 19, the Moscow State University said

Nepryaeva's marathon result at Winter Olympic Games annulled for error while changing skis

Darya Nepryaeva covered most of the distance on skis that weren't hers

EU to impose entry ban on all participants in Russia’s special op — Kallas

The European Union is "working to keep potential hundreds of thousands of former Russian soldiers out of the Schengen area", the EU foreign policy chief said

Russia calls on US to refuse from striking civilian nuclear facilities in Iran — diplomat

Dmitry Lyubinsky says that Moscow is ready to help "to find diplomatic solutions" on Iran's peaceful nuclear program

Russia’s Investigative Committee confirms traffic policeman killed in Moscow blast

Two policemen are at a hospital. The attacker died at the scene

School in Bryansk Region comes under Ukrainian drone attack, no one hurt

The building was damaged, the region’s governor, Alexander Bogomaz, said

Russia becomes leading country in unmanned systems — Medvedev

The Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council added that the UAV industry was created almost "from scratch" by enthusiasts at the beginning of the special military operation, as there had been virtually no prior discussion of drones at that time

Two apartment buildings, social facility damaged in Ukraine’s missile attack on Belgorod

No casualties have been reported so far

Generals Moskalik, Sarvarov killed in Kiev regime’s terrorist attacks — General Staff

Colonel General Sergei Rudskoy noted that with the deaths of the generals, the troops "lost true professionals, loyal comrades, and true patriots"

Hungary informed by Russia that all damage to Druzhba pipeline has been repaired

The fact that the Ukrainians are not resuming transportation via the pipeline constitutes political blackmail against Hungary, as this is a political, not a technical or physical, decision, Szijjarto stressed

United States announces exercise with Canada, Denmark in Alaska and Greenland

The drill is scheduled take place from February 23 until March 13

Europe has changed rhetoric, realizing futility of plans to defeat Russia — Lavrov

According to the foreign minister, Europe trained Ukrainians to use their hands and bodies to advance European interests in the war with Russia

Russia failed to find alternative to western capital markets in the east — Sberbank CEO

There is no alternative to western capital markets in the nearest years

Air defenses down 34 Ukrainian drones over Kursk Region in past 24 hours

According to him, as a result of the attacks, the windshield of a car was damaged in the village of Zolomnoye in the Bolshesoldatsky District

European Parliament postpones vote on trade deal with US

This is the second such suspension by the European Parliament

Attack by Ukrainian Armed Forces leaves 260 settlements in Zaporozhye Region without power

According to Governor Evgeny Balitsky, all healthcare facilities, as well as critical infrastructure sites, have been switched to backup power sources

Press review: Geneva talks on Ukraine begin and Epstein case could spark GOP fiasco

Top stories from the Russian press on Tuesday, February 17th

Putin meets with widows of Russian special forces soldiers in Kremlin

Earlier in the day, the president awarded state awards to Heroes of Russia

Leader of Jalisco Cartel dies en route to hospital — Mexican Defense Ministry

The operation was coordinated with the National Intelligence Center and the prosecutor’s office, with informational support from US authorities, the ministry said

Russia calls up 135,000 conscripts for military service in autumn draft

As in the previous army drafts, Russian conscripts had the right to choose military service in various military branches and armed services, considering their health condition and the results of professional psychological selection

EU to reduce its mission to Russia to 40 people — Kallas

The European foreign policy chief also announced that the top EU diplomats have failed to agree on the 20th package of anti-Russian sanctions by February 24

Liberating Krinichnoye, Russian troops penetrate Ukraine’s defenses — expert

Andrey Marochko believes that, given the operational and tactical situation in this area, Russian forces will continue denting the enemy defenses at Krinichnoye

EU fails to reach compromise on 90-bln-euro loan to Kiev — Kallas

The EU foreign policy chief suggested using Russian frozen assets

15 killed in helicopter crash in Peru

The helicopter was on the way to help the locals affected by floods and other emergencies

Ukrainian troops desert their positions due to lack of food, ammunition — military expert

According to Andrey Marochko, the thaw and night frosts are causing an increasing number of frostbite cases

Russian Army clears Berestok in Donbass region of Ukrainian troops — expert

Andrey Marochko says Russian fighters are advancing in three sectors

Press review: India to continue buying Russian oil as US amasses major force near Iran

Top stories from the Russian press on Friday, February 20th

Russia, Burkina Faso agree to hold intergovernmental commission meeting this summer

The parties have begun forming the national sections of the commission, the Russian Embassy in Burkina Faso said

Russia needs victory, but its cost matters — Medvedev

The deputy chairman of the Russian Security Council added that he Kiev regime is gradually beginning to realize the position and circumstances it currently faces

Russia has not invaded Ukraine and will not invade any other country — Lavrov

According to the Russian top diplomat, evidence indicate that Ukraine planned to attack the Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics already this month

Blinken insists Russia may use provocation to justify its aggression in Ukraine

Blinken noted that the top diplomats "discussed the threat that Russia’s aggression poses not only to Ukraine but to the entire international rules-based order which has provided a foundation for decades of shared security and prosperity"

US meets Russian delegation in Geneva for nuclear arms control talks — Reuters

A US State Department official tells the newswire that the US will meet with a Chinese delegation later on February 24

Vucic, Rosatom CEO discuss Serbian companies’ participation in nuclear projects

According to the Serbian leader, special attention was paid to the development of Serbia’s personnel and industrial potential in the nuclear sector

Hermitage’s clock ticktocks after 100 years of standing still at October Revolution time

The State Hermitage Museum’s clock is ticking again after its hands stood still 100 years ago right when the Interim Government’s arrest in 1917 occurred

Air defenses down 27 Ukrainian drones over Russian regions

13 UAVs were destroyed over the Belgorod Region, five over the Sea of Azov, four over the Krasnodar Region, two over the Kursk Region, two over the Republic of Crimea, and one over the Black Sea, the Russian Defense Ministry said