• Military leaders from over 30 nations backing Ukraine are set to gather in the UK on Thursday to strategize on forming a "coalition of the willing" that might deploy forces to Ukraine if a ceasefire takes place—without the participation of the United States. A spokesperson for British Prime Minister Keir Starmer noted on Monday that while contributions will differ among countries, the alliance is expected to include a sizable force from numerous nations. This initiative follows Starmer's virtual meeting with various European, Canadian, and Australian leaders. Both Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron have been instrumental in driving this effort forward, spurred in part by Donald Trump initiating talks with Russia that excluded Ukraine and other European allies.

Military leaders from over 30 nations backing Ukraine are set to gather in the UK on Thursday to strategize on forming a "coalition of the willing" that might deploy forces to Ukraine if a ceasefire takes place—without the participation of the United States. A spokesperson for British Prime Minister Keir Starmer noted on Monday that while contributions will differ among countries, the alliance is expected to include a sizable force from numerous nations. This initiative follows Starmer's virtual meeting with various European, Canadian, and Australian leaders. Both Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron have been instrumental in driving this effort forward, spurred in part by Donald Trump initiating talks with Russia that excluded Ukraine and other European allies.

• Moscow has rejected any notion of NATO troops being stationed in Ukraine, but Emmanuel Macron made it clear on Sunday that such action would proceed regardless of Russian approval. Commenting on Russia’s opposition, Starmer’s spokesperson recalled, "Russia didn’t ask Ukraine for permission when it brought in North Korean troops last year.” While some countries may hesitate to provide ground troops, Starmer expressed openness to varied forms of aid, suggesting nations might assist through logistics, intelligence, or surveillance. His office also pointed to potential contributions in the areas of airfield operations, crew accommodation, and engineering support.

Moscow has rejected any notion of NATO troops being stationed in Ukraine, but Emmanuel Macron made it clear on Sunday that such action would proceed regardless of Russian approval. Commenting on Russia’s opposition, Starmer’s spokesperson recalled, "Russia didn’t ask Ukraine for permission when it brought in North Korean troops last year.” While some countries may hesitate to provide ground troops, Starmer expressed openness to varied forms of aid, suggesting nations might assist through logistics, intelligence, or surveillance. His office also pointed to potential contributions in the areas of airfield operations, crew accommodation, and engineering support.

• Kaja Kallas, the European Union’s foreign policy chief, will travel to London on Tuesday to meet with Britain’s foreign and defense secretaries. The UK welcomed the discussion as part of a “new phase in UK-EU relations.” Planned topics include coordination on supporting Ukraine, tightening economic constraints on Russia to ensure it is held accountable for damages, and combating cyber threats, election interference, and the spread of Russian disinformation.

Kaja Kallas, the European Union’s foreign policy chief, will travel to London on Tuesday to meet with Britain’s foreign and defense secretaries. The UK welcomed the discussion as part of a “new phase in UK-EU relations.” Planned topics include coordination on supporting Ukraine, tightening economic constraints on Russia to ensure it is held accountable for damages, and combating cyber threats, election interference, and the spread of Russian disinformation.

• Ukrainian drones caused a fire at an oil refinery in the Astrakhan region of southern Russia, according to local officials. Regional governor Igor Babushkin noted that workers were evacuated ahead of the attack, which sparked a major blaze and left one person injured. In retaliation, Russia sent a wave of 174 drones into Ukraine. Ukrainian air forces reported downing 90 of them, with many others rendered inoperable through electronic warfare. In the southern Odesa region, the drone strikes disrupted electricity for around 500 residents and caused one injury, said Governor Oleg Kiper. Ukrainian drones also reportedly struck Russia's Belgorod region on Monday night.

Ukrainian drones caused a fire at an oil refinery in the Astrakhan region of southern Russia, according to local officials. Regional governor Igor Babushkin noted that workers were evacuated ahead of the attack, which sparked a major blaze and left one person injured. In retaliation, Russia sent a wave of 174 drones into Ukraine. Ukrainian air forces reported downing 90 of them, with many others rendered inoperable through electronic warfare. In the southern Odesa region, the drone strikes disrupted electricity for around 500 residents and caused one injury, said Governor Oleg Kiper. Ukrainian drones also reportedly struck Russia's Belgorod region on Monday night.

• Russia stated that its military had gained ground in southern Ukraine, allegedly piercing Ukrainian defenses less than 50km southeast of Zaporizhzhia. The Russian defense ministry claimed that its forces had seized the village of Stepove. These assertions remain unverified. Conversely, Ukraine’s armed forces reported that they repelled Russian attacks near Stepove and Lobkove and confirmed that fighting in the region was ongoing.

Russia stated that its military had gained ground in southern Ukraine, allegedly piercing Ukrainian defenses less than 50km southeast of Zaporizhzhia. The Russian defense ministry claimed that its forces had seized the village of Stepove. These assertions remain unverified. Conversely, Ukraine’s armed forces reported that they repelled Russian attacks near Stepove and Lobkove and confirmed that fighting in the region was ongoing.

• US President Donald Trump revealed plans to talk with Vladimir Putin on Tuesday following an agreement between Ukraine and the US to submit a ceasefire proposal, which has faced resistance from Moscow, according to reporting by Pjotr Sauer and Peter Walker. Trump suggested discussions would involve “dividing assets ... We’ll talk about land, we’ll talk about power plants.” White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt referenced a facility “on the border between Russia and Ukraine,” possibly alluding to the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant. However, that plant is in Ukrainian sovereign territory, not situated along the border, and is currently under Russian occupation.

US President Donald Trump revealed plans to talk with Vladimir Putin on Tuesday following an agreement between Ukraine and the US to submit a ceasefire proposal, which has faced resistance from Moscow, according to reporting by Pjotr Sauer and Peter Walker. Trump suggested discussions would involve “dividing assets ... We’ll talk about land, we’ll talk about power plants.” White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt referenced a facility “on the border between Russia and Ukraine,” possibly alluding to the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant. However, that plant is in Ukrainian sovereign territory, not situated along the border, and is currently under Russian occupation.

• Ukraine has insisted it will not accept any peace settlement that includes relinquishing territory, foregoing NATO membership, or restricting its defense capabilities. These firm positions were outlined by Oleksandr Merezhko, chair of Ukraine’s parliamentary foreign affairs committee, in an interview with the BBC where he shared Kyiv’s non-negotiable terms for any future talks.

Ukraine has insisted it will not accept any peace settlement that includes relinquishing territory, foregoing NATO membership, or restricting its defense capabilities. These firm positions were outlined by Oleksandr Merezhko, chair of Ukraine’s parliamentary foreign affairs committee, in an interview with the BBC where he shared Kyiv’s non-negotiable terms for any future talks.

• Germany’s likely next chancellor, Friedrich Merz, faces a pivotal vote in the Bundestag on Tuesday to approve unprecedented state borrowing, which he argues is needed in part to increase defense funding. Germany remains the largest provider of military assistance to Ukraine among European nations.

Germany’s likely next chancellor, Friedrich Merz, faces a pivotal vote in the Bundestag on Tuesday to approve unprecedented state borrowing, which he argues is needed in part to increase defense funding. Germany remains the largest provider of military assistance to Ukraine among European nations.

• The Trump administration is pulling the US out of an international commission tasked with investigating accountability for the war in Ukraine and holding Russian leadership responsible, writes Robert Tait from Washington. This move highlights a shift in Washington’s stance perceived as increasingly sympathetic to Vladimir Putin’s regime.

The Trump administration is pulling the US out of an international commission tasked with investigating accountability for the war in Ukraine and holding Russian leadership responsible, writes Robert Tait from Washington. This move highlights a shift in Washington’s stance perceived as increasingly sympathetic to Vladimir Putin’s regime.

• Ukraine recorded a trade deficit of US$2.3 billion in January, significantly higher than the US$1.5 billion shortfall reported during the same month last year, according to newly released figures from the state statistics agency.

Ukraine recorded a trade deficit of US$2.3 billion in January, significantly higher than the US$1.5 billion shortfall reported during the same month last year, according to newly released figures from the state statistics agency.