Zelensky's visits to Turkey and the UAE, alongside new aid from Germany: highlights from February 17.
Germany has delivered a new batch of military aid to Ukraine. President Volodymyr Zelensky visited the UAE and Turkey for official meetings.
For more details about what happened on Monday, February 17, refer to the article by RBK-Ukraine.
Russia's War Against Ukraine: Latest News
- The Russian Federation has once again attacked Ukraine with drones. In Kharkiv, three people were injured, fires broke out in Zaporizhzhia, and parts of Kherson were left partially without electricity.
- At the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant, three smoldering spots have been detected, which are being addressed by climbing teams.
- Sweden does not rule out sending troops to Ukraine as part of any post-war peacekeeping mission.
US Secretary of State Arrives in Saudi Arabia for Talks with Russian Representatives
According to Reuters, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who spoke on the phone with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, will meet with Russian officials in Saudi Arabia alongside Trump’s National Security Advisor Mike Waltz and the White House Special Envoy for the Middle East, Steve Whitcoff. However, it is still unclear who exactly from Russia they will meet.
The talks on February 18 will be among the first in-person high-level discussions between Russian and US officials in recent years and are expected to precede a meeting of the countries' presidents.
Drone Strike Disables Largest Oil Pumping Station in Kuban
The largest oil pumping station of the Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC) in Russia, "Kropotkinskaya," was disabled after drone strikes, according to the company.
According to the report, the attack was carried out by seven unmanned aerial vehicles, which were equipped not only with explosives but also with metal shrapnel.
Zelensky Discussed the Return of Ukrainians from Russian Captivity with UAE President
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky shared on social media about his meeting with President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Abu Dhabi, along with a video.
Additionally, an important economic agreement was signed between Ukraine and the UAE. The document significantly liberalizes access to the UAE market for nearly all Ukrainian goods. The President noted that it will be easier for Ukrainian companies to sell their products in the UAE.
In the US, There Are Proposals to Send Peacekeepers from Brazil and China to Ukraine, - The Economist
According to the publication, American officials are suggesting a peacekeeping mission that would include non-European countries, specifically Brazil or China. These forces could be positioned along the future ceasefire line, serving as a buffer zone.
It is reported that US Vice President JD Vance allegedly told European allies that only a European contingent would be less effective in deterring Russia from further attacks.
We Are Seeing China's Interest in Ending the War for the First Time, - Zelensky
When asked about the meeting between Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, President Zelensky responded that it is important to engage China to pressure Putin to end the war.
"We see, I believe for the first time, China’s interest. I think this is mainly due to the acceleration of all processes... Therefore, I consider this an important meeting, and it could lead to continued dialogue at a different level," Zelensky noted.
Zelensky Outlined Conditions for Signing a Mineral Agreement with the US
The president mentioned that Ukraine is interested in signing a mineral agreement with the US. However, the document currently lacks any security guarantees.
"We are indeed interested in signing an agreement with the US. I also discussed this with President Trump: Ukraine wants to sign an agreement. But when we got to the details, it turned out that it does not currently contain security guarantees. And this is a fundamentally important aspect that should at least be outlined in the memorandum," Zelensky explained.
Students in Kyiv Caught in Scandal Over Disrespect Towards the Military: Education Ministry Responds
On Monday, February 17, a video emerged online featuring children allegedly from a school in Kyiv. The footage shows children performing on stage, likely for Valentine's Day.
In the video, a teenager approaches a boy dressed in military uniform with the inscription "TCK." One of the others on stage "strikes" the boy in military uniform.
"The video in which students from a Kyiv school enact a scene demonstrating blatant disrespect towards the 'military' is disgraceful and unacceptable in the third year of a full-scale invasion and the eleventh year of war," wrote Education Minister Oksen Lisovoy.
Zelensky Arrived in Turkey and Outlined Plans for the Visit
President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived in Turkey with First Lady Olena Zelenska.
"The issue of exchanges: all efforts to bring our people home will continue. The issue of food security. Educational and cultural diplomacy of the First Lady," he wrote.
Missiles for IRIS-T, Artillery, and More: Germany Has Delivered a Package of Assistance to Ukraine
Germany has delivered a new batch of military aid to Ukraine. In particular, this includes missiles for the IRIS-T air defense systems and Zuzana 2 artillery systems.
According to the German government, Ukraine has received the following military assistance from Germany:
- 56 MRAP vehicles;
- ammunition for the Leopard 1 main battle tank;
- ammunition for the Marder infantry fighting vehicles;
- 41,000 rounds for the Gepard air defense system (from Bundeswehr and industry stocks);
- missiles for the IRIS-T SLM air defense systems;
- missiles for the IRIS-T SLS air defense systems;
- 4 wheeled self-propelled howitzers Zuzana 2;
- 50,000 155mm shells (from Bundeswehr and industry stocks), and more.