Uzbek (29) arrested for fatal bomb attack on top general Igor Kirillov in Moscow
Modified: 51 min ago53 min agoin Abroad

The Russian security service reports that a 29-year-old Uzbek has been arrested for the fatal bomb attack on General Igor Kirillov and his aide in Moscow.
Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov, head of the Nuclear, Biological, Chemical Defense Forces, was walking out of an apartment building early Tuesday morning when an explosive hidden in an electric scooter was remotely detonated.
According to state media, Russian security services reported that the suspect had been recruited by Ukrainian intelligence.
A Ukrainian source said Tuesday that the killing was orchestrated by the Ukrainian security service.

NATO jets intercept Russian bombers over Baltic in 'routine' response
News
ERR
today at 07.04

The bombers, accompanied by two Russian fighter jets, were identified in a coordinated response involving aircraft from three nations, Sweden's public broadcaster SVT reported.

The NATO planes were deployed and identified two Russian Tupolev TU-22 bombers.

Finnish fighter jets were the first to make an approach, while Dutch F-35 jets took over from there.

As the flights neared the Swedish island of Gotland, Saab JAS 39 Gripen fighters from that country's air force took on the lead role, taking to the air around midday Tuesday.

Dennis Hedström, a senior officer with the Swedish Air Force, described the response and incident as "routine."

"We feel secure, conditions are good, and we know what we need to do," Hedström said, adding, "There was nothing unusual about this incident."

Even as the motives behind the Russian bombers' flight remain unclear, incidents of this kind over international Baltic Sea waters, and occasionally even in sovereign airspace, are not uncommon in the region.

Sweden and Finland both joined NATO in the aftermath of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

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https://news.err.ee/1609554526/nato-jets-intercept-russian-bombers-over-baltic-in-routine-response

Great Question Steve Rosenberg !

Over 3,000 North Korean troops killed, wounded in Kursk Oblast, Zelensky says.

A new window of peace has been evoked by Moscow, with Vladimir Putin saying he is ready to participate in future talks in Slovakia, four days after the face-to-face summit with Prime Minister Robert Fico. It would be Bratislava - according to what was reported by Tass - that would have offered to bring the two warring countries together around a table.

Previously, the Kremlin leader had stated that Russia would be willing to talk to Zelensky himself if he showed up at the polls and obtained the majority of votes. A proposal that is clearly unacceptable on the other side, making it clear that Putin, in relaunching agreements, knows that he can afford to take his time in the wake of successes at the front, or wait for more attractive peace proposals from the new US administration.

As Ukraine collapses, the EU remains stuck in a delusional approach of confrontation with Russia until a victory that will never come. “ Any premature push to end the Ukrainian conflict will lead to a bad peace deal ,” the EU’s foreign affairs chief, Kaja Kallas, told the Financial Times , arguing that it would be “ much cheaper to support Ukraine now ” than to “ endure war later ”. Kallas argued in essence that “the stronger you are on the battlefield, the stronger you will be behind the negotiating table”.

But the old continent is struggling to keep up with the Russian war machine. “In Europe, the long process of developing weapons systems carries the risk of obsolescence of new equipment,” French Admiral Pierre Vandier said in an interview with Defense News, noting how, for example, in the case of tanks, military engineers spend years defining the specifications, followed by a further decade of work by industry, which can lead to vehicles that are no longer adequate for current needs due to technological evolution.

At the same time, the leaders of Latvia, Estonia and Finland warned that NATO is not yet ready to face Russia without US support, calling for a significant increase in defense spending.

NATO fleet command to the Netherlands: 'We do have an interest here'
Sat Jan 4 10:53

"This afternoon at two o'clock the bow will head north." The Dutch frigate Zr.Ms.Tromp will depart for Norway to take over the NATO mission in the northern waters. Commander Arjen Warnaar will be in command for a year, with the Tromp as flagship.

"We are the 'first responders' in the northern waters," Warnaar says in the NOS Radio 1 Journaal about the fleet association, which is called Standing NATO Maritime Group 1 in full . There are four of these NATO fleet associations. This group is active in the North Sea, Baltic Sea and the Atlantic Ocean.

There have been several incidents in the area in recent months. Last November, two data cables in the Baltic Sea were broken after a Chinese ship passed by. In December, it happened again. Then, a power cable and four data cables were damaged in the sea between Finland and Estonia. A drag track tens of kilometers long was discovered on the seabed, possibly caused by the dragging of an anchor.

The presence of the NATO fleet is intended to deter, among other things. But as the flagship of this rapid reaction force, it is also up to the Tromp to respond if something happens, says Warnaar. "Sabotage actions on cables can also be part of that."

'Being where something happens'
It is a huge area, which the commander will be in charge of. "If I had to keep a one hundred percent eye on everything, that would of course be much too big. For us, it is important to be there where something is happening." Warnaar's task is complementary to that. "Of course, all countries also have their own coast guard and their own navy. We are a joint means of defense, with a very large NATO flag above it."

Should something happen, Warnaar's NATO group cannot simply intervene. "I am not allowed to do much yet. We are a military instrument that may only do something if the politicians decide to do so. But we are an excellent means of detecting and reporting."

Proud
The Zr.Ms.Tromp will participate in the mission for four and a half months, and then return to Den Helder. Commander Warnaar will then transfer to another flagship and will stay for a year in total. He thinks that the Netherlands is leading the mission is something to be proud of, but: "We often forget that the Netherlands is a truly maritime country. A very large part of our prosperity depends on free transport over sea. We do have an interest here."

In addition, Warnaar points out that the Netherlands has been a NATO member from the very beginning. "That one for all, all for one, that also applies to us, we also have to make our efforts. And a bit of pride: always."

UK pledges support for Ukraine with 100-year pact

Sir Keir Starmer has pledged to put Ukraine in the "strongest possible position" in a trip to Kyiv where he signed a "landmark" 100-year pact with the war-stricken country.

The prime minister's visit on Thursday was at one point marked by loud blasts and air raid sirens after a Russian drone attack was intercepted by Ukraine's defence systems.

Acknowledging the "hello" from Russia, Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukraine would send its own "hello back".

The Ukrainian president praised the UK's commitment against the backdrop of concern that US President-elect Donald Trump could potentially reduce aid.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cvgem31jekvo

Zelensky on Trump-Putin talks: 'Talk to Ukraine first'

It is "very important" that US President Donald Trump consults Ukraine before he enters into peace talks with Russia, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky emphasizes. He wants to prevent the fate of his country from being decided outside of Ukraine.

Trump reported earlier this week that he had already called his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. In an interview with The Guardian on Tuesday, Zelensky did not criticize that phone call. He also did not respond to statements made by Trump about a possible deal and the future of Ukraine. Trump "clearly does not really want everyone to know the details, and that is his own decision," he said in the British newspaper.

Zelensky is expected to meet US Vice President JD Vance on Friday and will also meet Trump himself later this week. Trump's Ukraine envoy has been busy with diplomacy for days. More clarity about their peace plans is expected to become clear at an important security conference in Munich at the end of the week, where Vance and Ukraine envoy Keith Kellogg are among those attending.

'Nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine'

Ukraine's European allies, like Kiev itself, are insisting that the major powers should not negotiate over Ukraine's head. "Nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine" is the constant slogan. The US also used it until Trump took office. European countries fear that Trump, who previously showed understanding for Russian complaints and wishes and is looking for a quick deal, will hand Ukraine over to Russia too much.

https://x.com/ImMeme0/status/1889700891692814540

SECDEF Pete Hegseth:

BREAKING: The U.S. officially confirms that Ukraine will not join NATO, and no American troops will be sent to Ukraine.

BRUSSELS (AP) — U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Wednesday that NATO membership for Ukraine was unrealistic and in sweeping remarks suggested Kyiv should abandon hopes of winning all its territory back from Russia and instead prepare for a negotiated peace settlement to be backed up by international troops.

https://apnews.com/article/nato-ukraine-us-hegseth-trump-russia-a3ca747b102cae6737436596444a32d0

NATO chief Rutte: Putin is unpredictable, Ukraine will always be involved in negotiations

President Putin is 'unpredictable' and must realise that the West is united. NATO chief Mark Rutte said this in a press conference. Rutte also made it clear that Ukraine will always be involved in peace talks.

Emma Thies 13-02-25, 16:43 Last update: 17:51
"I don't know exactly what's going on in President Putin's head, of course," Rutte told reporters after consulting with defense ministers. "He's a strong negotiator, he's very unpredictable, but ultimately, if we want a peace agreement, we need him."

Rutte also pointed out that Ukraine was 'never promised' that the country would be allowed to become a NATO member once a peace agreement was reached with Russia.

Phone call
NATO chief Mark Rutte said he was aware that US President Donald Trump would soon be calling his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. But Rutte did not know the details, he said a day after the controversial phone call.

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Rutte has been calling on Ukraine's allies for months not to speak openly about the stakes of the negotiations. However, he avoids criticizing US Defense Minister Pete Hegseth, who has already done so.

Closely involved
NATO chief Rutte said earlier today that Ukraine should be involved in talks to end the war with Russia. The United States announced on Wednesday that it had started negotiations with Russia and informed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky about this only afterwards.

"When we talk about Ukraine, it is of course crucial that Ukraine is closely involved in everything that happens concerning Ukraine," Rutte said upon arrival for consultations with the defense ministers of the NATO countries. He points out that American President Donald Trump also called Zelensky after his telephone conversation with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. "That seemed like a successful phone call."

Steven Crowder breaks down Trump & Putin RE: Ukraine

Great speech by VP Vance finally some common sense.
Let's hope they can bring Zelensky and Putin together PEACE !

European nations must provide the "overwhelming" share of funding for Ukraine, the new US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has said, as he signaled a drastic shift in Washington's position on the war. Speaking at a defense summit in Brussels, Hegseth said the US would no longer "tolerate an imbalanced relationship" with its allies and called on NATO members to spend much more on defense.

He also said it was "unrealistic" to expect Ukraine to return to its pre-2014 borders and downplayed the prospect of Ukraine joining Nato. The comments came as Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin held a "lengthy" phone call in which they agreed to begin negotiations to end the war.

This recap of "Ukraine will win the War" is a riot!!!

European summit in Paris
The American demarches have caused nervousness in European ranks. On Monday, a series of heads of state and government will meet in Paris. "The President of the French Republic will bring together the main European countries on Monday for talks on European security," French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot confirmed on France Inter on Sunday. According to him, it is a "working meeting" and there is no reason for "overdramatization."

Macron will meet in the French capital with the heads of government of Germany (Olaf Scholz), the United Kingdom (Keir Starmer), Italy (Giorgia Meloni), Poland (Donald Tusk), Spain (Pedro Sánchez), the Netherlands (Dick Schoof) and Denmark (Mette Frederiksen), as well as with the President of the European Council (Antonio Costa), the President of the European Commission (Von der Leyen) and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.

The Netherlands is positive about contributing to a possible European deterrent force that would be deployed after a peace agreement in Ukraine. Prime Minister Dick Schoof said this on Saturday at the security conference in Munich.

NATO chief Mark Rutte said on Saturday that he has little sympathy for the shocked European reactions to American statements this week and the complaint that Europe is not at the table. 'I don't think that breathless 'daddy, can I also sit at the table' is strong. My advice is: come up with your own ideas with which you can fight your way to the table. Make sure you are on eye level with the Americans.'

He also expressed some surprise at the European surprise: the Americans have not said 'anything in the past week that was not said thirty times during the campaign'. However, he denied that the Europeans have done nothing since Trump's election. 'I know that there have been intensive discussions going on for some time.'

Rutte is right. Vance didn't say anything that hasn't been said during the campaign, he didn't say anything that an European like myself hasn't said before: in short, Vance was 100%...no scratch that, 1000% in the right.

The EU migration policies are shit. The way most EU countries have underfunded defense is absolutely shameful. The way the left and centre-left politicians are taking extreme measures to cling to power even though for as long as I'm aware the people have been increasingly voting for more right wing policies is infuriating. The extreme bureaucracy that gets in the way of getting our act back together is embarrassing.

We need real leaders that are committed in getting Europe on the rails. Not a bunch crybabies that start to snivel in front of the camera whenever someone was "not nice to them". Not a pack of burn-out wimps that give a standing ovation and hugs whenever one of their dweeb colleagues starts to blubber like a whale on stage.

I didn't vote for this shit. Nobody I personally know and care for voted for this shit.

Pathetic. Disgusting.

Indeed the Europeans are mostly shocked by 'the enemy within' remarks but Vance just says what millions of conservatives in Europa are saying for years. Make Europe Great Again!

Putin says Europe is needed in Ukraine talks, but suggests deal still distant

https://www.reuters.com/world/europ...olvement-peace-talks-ukraine-2025-02-24/

US, Ukraine agree to terms of critical minerals deal

https://www.reuters.com/world/zelen...mp-minerals-deal-sources-say-2025-02-25/

Historic moment.

NATO chief Rutte: Zelensky must restore relations with Trump

Ukrainian President Zelensky must ensure that relations with the American president are quickly restored. That is what NATO chief Rutte says after the fierce clash yesterday between Zelensky and Trump in the White House.

Rutte calls the confrontation in the Oval Office 'unfortunate': "I don't think Trump was looking for a fight." According to Rutte, Zelensky and Trump first had a good conversation for half an hour. Then, according to Rutte, "something went wrong", after which they flew "full at each other".

The NATO chief says he has been in contact with the Ukrainian president: "What I told Zelensky is that we have to respect what Trump has done so far." According to Rutte, Zelensky must now "find a way to restore relations with Trump."

Rutte says he is convinced that Trump also wants "lasting peace" in Ukraine. "What is needed for that is that we all work together: Europe, Ukraine and the United States."

'US remains committed to NATO'
Rutte further emphasized that the United States is the leader within NATO. The NATO chief says he spoke to Trump on the phone for half an hour on Thursday and he is convinced that the American president is committed to the military alliance. According to Rutte, the US is "totally" committed to NATO, "also with regard to Article 5". That article states that an attack on one of the NATO countries is seen as an attack on all allies.

Thanks Donald Trump for bringing Europe together we need to grow some balls.

Good to see the British step up again on the World Front.