For today, links to nine reports: from Reuters, the Anadolu Agency, the Kyiv Independent, Kyiv Post, Tass, National Public Radio, the Associated Press, and Agence France-Presse; others are accessible by clicking on their names or addresses below. (SYRIA, LEBANON, WEST BANK and GAZA entries for this date and a MEDIA entry are HERE, HERE, HERE, HERE and HERE, or scroll up or down. UKRAINE 2-22-25 entry is HERE, or scroll down.) — MCM
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Russia launches largest drone attack on Ukraine, Kyiv says. From Reuters. KYIV — Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said today that Russia launched more than 200 drones in an overnight attack, the largest of the war, as he condemned Russia’s “aerial terror” and called for unity among Ukraine’s allies. READ MORE . . . Click HERE for report from the Kyiv Independent.
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U.S. aid to Ukraine provided as grants, not loans: Zelenskyy, by Esra Tekin | Anadolu Agency ISTANBUL — The U.S. aid to Ukraine was provided as grants, not loans, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said today, rejecting claims that $500 billion in assistance should be treated as debt. READ MORE . . .
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UK PM says no talks ‘about Ukraine, without Ukraine’ on eve of DC trip, by Christopher Stewart | Kyiv Post UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer today reiterated the UK’s “ironclad support” for Ukraine before heading to Washington with French President Macron to meet Trump. READ MORE . . .
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Russia says its Ka-52M helicopter destroyed Ukrainian troops, vehicles in Kursk Region. From Tass. MOSCOW — A Ka-52M helicopter struck Ukrainian troops and armored vehicles with missiles near the border in the Kursk Region, the Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement. READ MORE . . .
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Why Ukrainians are skeptical of a ceasefire deal even after 3 years of war. Ayesha Rascoe of NPR speaks with Ukrainian journalist Nataliya Gumenyuk about how Ukrainians feel about the ceasefire discussions that don’t include them — three years since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Click HERE later to listen and, still later, read.
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FROM FEB. 22 Trump-Putin summit preparations are underway, Russia says. From AP. Preparations are underway for a face-to-face meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, Russia’s deputy foreign minister said Saturday. The meeting would be a clear departure from Western . . . READ MORE . . .
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Kremlin hails Putin-Trump dialogue as promising. From AFP. The Kremlin today hailed dialogue between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin — two “extraordinary” presidents — as “promising”, and vowed it would “never” give up territory seized in eastern Ukraine. READ MORE . . .
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Putin says Russian soldiers in Ukraine ‘defending Russia’s future.’ From AFP. Russian President Vladimir Putin said today his soldiers in Ukraine are defending “national interests” and vowed “unchanged” determination to strengthen the country’s armed forces in a rapidly changing world. The comments . . . READ MORE . . .