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The UN Security Council has adopted a US-drafted resolution on the third anniversary of Russia‘s invasion of Ukraine that takes a neutral position on the conflict.
The resolution reflects US president Donald Trump‘s upending of US policy on Ukraine and his more conciliatory stance towards Russia.
Mr Trump claimed Russian president Vladimir Putin would accept European peacekeepers on Ukrainian soil as part of a peace agreement with Kyiv.
He said Mr Putin had “no problem” with the idea despite the Kremlin rejecting the suggestion as an “uncontrollable development” last month. “Yeah, he will accept it,” Mr Trump said. “I have asked him that question. Look, if we do this deal, he’s not looking for World War.”
This comes as French president Emmanuel Macron, who met with Mr Trump at the White House on Monday, hailed the US president’s re-engagement with Mr Putin as a “turning point” in the war.
Mr Macron said European peacekeepers in Ukraine would offer a credible way forward in guaranteeing Kyiv’s long-term security. “We understand this would be acceptable to Russia. As Europeans, we will shoulder our share of the security burden,” he said.
Polish and allied aircraft were activated early this morning to ensure the safety of Polish airspace after Russia launched air strikes targeting western Ukraine, the Operational Command of the Polish armed forces said.
“The steps taken are aimed at ensuring security in the regions bordering the areas at risk,” the Command said on X.
All of Ukraine was under air raid alerts starting at around 0350 GMT after Ukraine’s Air Force warned of Russian missile attacks.
Alisha Rahaman Sarkar25 February 2025 04:50
All of Ukraine is under air raid alerts as the air force warned of a Russian missile attack, a day after Kyiv marked the third year of Vladimir Putin’s invasion.
Alisha Rahaman Sarkar25 February 2025 04:41
Russia’s Ryazan oil refinery has suspended operations after an attack by Ukrainian drones yesterday, Reuters reported citing industry sources.
The main crude distillation unit at the refinery, CDU-6, caught fire in the attack and the plant has fully suspended oil processing, the sources said.
Ukraine’s military said some of its drones had hit the Ryazan oil refinery overnight, with at least five explosions occurring in its vicinity.
Pavel Malkov, the governor of the Ryazan region, said on Telegram that falling debris from destroyed Ukrainian drones had sparked a fire at an industrial enterprise in the region.
Alisha Rahaman Sarkar25 February 2025 04:27
At least two people were killed and six others sustained injuries in a Russian airstrike on Sumy Oblast, which recorded at least 169 explosions.
The deaths were recorded in the town of Velyka Pysarivka, Myropil and the regional capital of Sumy, Kyiv Independent reported.
Alisha Rahaman Sarkar25 February 2025 04:03
Alexander Butler25 February 2025 04:00
The UN Security Council has adopted a US-drafted resolution on the third anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine that takes a neutral position on the conflict.
The short resolution reflects US president Donald Trump’s upending of US policy on Ukraine after taking office last month and his more conciliatory stance towards Russia.
Russia’s UN ambassador Vassily Nebenzia acknowledged “constructive changes” in the US position on the conflict. He told the council the resolution was “not an ideal one”, but “a starting point for future efforts towards peaceful settlement”.
The 15-member UN Security Council had been deadlocked throughout the war and unable to take any action because Russia holds a veto.
But the 193-member General Assembly has repeatedly supported Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and called for a just, lasting and comprehensive peace in line with the UN Charter.
Alisha Rahaman Sarkar25 February 2025 03:16
Alexander Butler25 February 2025 03:00
French president Emmanuel Macron has praised Donald Trump’s decision to re-engage with Vladimir Putin.
“I stopped my discussion with President Putin after Bucha and the war crimes. We had nothing to get from him in the time,” he said.
“Now this is a chance because there is a new US administration. This is a new context.
“So there is good reason for President Trump to re-engage with President Putin.”
Alexander Butler25 February 2025 02:30
US president Donald Trump just said he wanted to be remembered as a “peacemaker and unifier”.
“It is my hope that my greatest legacy will be as a peacemaker and a unifier. I want to bring peace, not war,” Mr Trump said.
Alexander Butler25 February 2025 02:00
US president Donald Trump has refused to call Vladimir Putin a dictator.
Asked if he would refer to Mr Putin as a dictator in the same way he claimed Mr Zelensky was last week, Mr Trump said he did “not use those words lightly.”
“I don’t use those words lightly. We are going to see how it all works out. We will see what happens,” he said.
Alexander Butler25 February 2025 01:30