Ukraine, 2-21-25

For today, links to nine reports: from Reuters, Kyiv Post, the Kyiv Independent, the Moscow Times, the Associated Press, National Public Radio, and Tass; others are accessible by clicking on its name below. (LEBANON, WEST BANK and GAZA entries for this date and a MEDIA entry are HEREHERE, HERE and HERE, or scroll up or down.  UKRAINE 2-20-25 entry is HERE, or scroll down.) — MCM   

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NEWER  Russia could concede $300 billion in frozen assets as part of Ukraine settlement, sources say. From Reuters. MOSCOW — Russia could agree to using $300 billion of sovereign assets frozen in Europe for reconstruction in Ukraine but will insist that . . . READ MORE . . .  Click HERE for report from Kyiv Post.

   

Trump adviser says he expects Zelenskiy to sign minerals agreement, by Steve Holland and Doina Chiacu | Reuters  WASHINGTON — White House national security adviser Mike Waltz said today he expects Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to sign a minerals agreement with the United States as part of efforts to end the Ukraine war. READ MORE . . .  Click HERE for report from the Kyiv Independent.

   

Trump envoy Witkoff says he met with Putin during trip to Russia. From the Moscow Times. U.S. President Donald Trump’s special envoy to the Middle East confirmed in a video that he met with Russia’s Vladimir Putin during a recent trip to Moscow, where he secured the release of an American prisoner. READ MORE . . .

   

Trump’s attempts to denigrate Zelenskyy have led to a surge in Ukrainian unity, by Hanna Arhirova | AP  KYIV — Days before the third anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion, Ukrainians are as somber and tense as they were right before Moscow launched the war. Only now, they aren’t just worried about their longtime enemy. Ukraine’s stunning new threat . . . READ MORE . . .

   

In U.S. reversal, President Trump attacks Zelenskyy and blames Ukraine for war. Reported by Greg Myre and Steve Inskeep | NPR  President Trump has recently made a series of statements in which he sounds more aligned with Russian President Vladimir Putin than with Ukraine. So what is Trump’s ultimate goal? Click HERE to listen and read.

   

FROM FEB. 20  Breaking down the political tension between the U.S. and Ukraine. Reported by Joanna Kakissis and Greg Myre | NPR  For three years, the U.S. has been Ukraine’s leading supporter in its war with Russia. Yet with a series of stunning moves, President Trump is now sounding more aligned with Russia than with Ukraine. Click HERE to listen and read.

   

Russian troops liberate seven communities in Ukraine operation over week. From Tass. MOSCOW, February 21. /TASS/. Russian troops liberated seven communities in the Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR), the Kharkov and Kursk Regions over the week of February 15-21 in the special military operation in Ukraine, Russia’s Defense Ministry said today in a broader statement. READ MORE . . .