"Ukrainian" summit by Macron and key details of mineral agreement negotiations: highlights from February 17.
Summit in Paris
A summit of European leaders took place in Paris, convened by French President Emmanuel Macron. Prior to this, he allegedly called US President Donald Trump.
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico stated that the summit would specifically discuss the deployment of European troops to Ukraine post-war.
Following the summit, the United Kingdom expressed its readiness to send troops, while Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares mentioned that it was too early to discuss this, as quoted by Reuters. In Poland, it was announced that they would not be sending troops but would assist with logistics.
The Czech Republic, Romania, and Slovenia did not attend the summit and expressed outrage over this. Slovenian President Nataša Pirc Musar remarked that the summit organizers "show the world that even within the EU, not all states are considered equal."
Details of US and Ukraine Negotiations Regarding Minerals
European Pravda, citing Ukrainian and American sources, reported that prior to the meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and US Vice President JD Vance in Munich, US representatives demanded that Ukrainians sign a proposed agreement concerning subsoil resources.
Otherwise, they threatened to cancel the meeting. Despite Ukraine's refusal to sign the document, the meeting proceeded.
According to the Telegraph, the draft agreement handed to Ukraine by the US included the transfer of control over not only Ukrainian rare earth minerals but also ports, infrastructure, and most resources, including oil and gas.
Ukraine Does Not Recognize Negotiations in Saudi Arabia - Zelensky
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that Kyiv was unaware of negotiations between US and Russian representatives taking place in Saudi Arabia. Since there would be no Ukrainian representatives present, Kyiv does not recognize such negotiations.
In light of this, US Special Representative for Ukraine and Russia, Kit Kellogg, assured that the peace agreement with Russia would be determined by Zelensky and the Ukrainian people, rather than forcing them to accept an agreement.
Kellogg to Visit Ukraine on February 20
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that US Special Representative for the War in Ukraine, Kit Kellogg, will arrive in Ukraine on February 20. He later clarified that the visit is scheduled for three days and will begin on February 19.
The Ukrainian president expressed hope that Kellogg would visit the front lines and meet with commanders of some Ukrainian brigades. However, he did not confirm this, stating that the visit's agenda had not yet been finalized.
School in Kyiv Features Skit Involving Assault on a Military Recruitment Employee
At capital school No. 309, children held a celebration during which they performed a skit depicting the assault of a man in military uniform with "TCK" written on his jacket.
Following this, the Darnytsky District Education Department established a commission to investigate the incident, while juvenile police officers are engaging with the school's administration and the children involved in the skit.
Education Minister Oksen Lisovoy spoke on the phone with the school principal, demanding an internal investigation and to "gather explanations from everyone involved" in the skit.
Other News of the Day
- Occupiers spread video of yet another execution of Ukrainian prisoners of war - Lubinets.
- Helped the Russian Federation deport Ukrainian children: SBU detained a suspect in the hromadske investigation.
- The footage has been edited. A deputy showed the results of the investigation into Tykhokhod, who was accused by the military of making threats.
- After the Russian strike on the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant, the issue of unstable structures of the old sarcophagus was aggravated - head of the State Nuclear Regulatory Inspectorate.
- In Lviv region, a military recruitment officer was wounded while conducting mobilized personnel for a medical examination.