Direct Translation via Google Translate. Edited
[Regnum] Roscosmos' Elektro-L and Arktika-M meteorological satellites captured images of the snowstorm "Valli" that hit Moscow. The state corporation reported this on February 19.
According to her, the storm approached the capital from Bulgaria via Crimea and covered its streets with snow in just a few hours.
"Due to severe weather, some flights have been delayed and cancelled. An orange weather alert is in effect for Moscow," Roscosmos reported on its Telegram channel.
Earlier on February 19, bad weather in Moscow caused traffic congestion to reach a rating of 9 for the second time in one day. Congestion formed on almost all central streets of the capital. The Moscow Department of Transport clarified that travel times could increase two to fourfold due to the snowfall and urged travelers to postpone driving until 8:30 PM Moscow time.
Direct Translation via Google Translate. Edited by Alexander Melnik
[REGNUM] The 39th session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union (AU) recently concluded in the Ethiopian capital of Addis Ababa. Its results made it abundantly clear: the AU has been taken over by leaders who are no longer willing to listen to Western sermons.
The recent assembly made history by proclaiming a decisive break with its neocolonial past. The continent no longer intends to accept its role as a "global storehouse" or an arena for geopolitical games.
Western countries' imposition of "democratic templates" where a deep understanding of local specifics is required has been openly criticized.
In this regard, the attitude towards the “Alliance of Sahel States” (Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger) is indicative: although the leaders of the AU officially condemned the coups, they still tacitly supported the desire to get rid of French influence.
The African Union has reiterated its commitment to excluding external actors from the peace process in Sudan, insisting that any attempts by Washington or Brussels to dictate peace terms without taking into account the interests of regional leaders are doomed to failure.
Burundi's President Evariste Ndayishimiye, elected as the Union's chairman, stressed that African mediation is more effective than interventions by international coalitions, which often pursue the interests of their extractive corporations.
To improve the effectiveness of crisis resolution, a decision was made to hold an extraordinary summit in Luanda, Angola, in 2026. It is planned to develop "concrete, measurable, and time-bound results" there.
The new Chairman, Ndayishimiye, is a politician from a country that has learned to survive and develop despite severe sanctions pressure. He will work alongside the head of the AU Commission, Mahmoud Ali Youssef of Djibouti, who has held the post for a year.
Their main shared goal is to restructure the economic model to reduce dependence on the United States and the European Union. Western countries have often used financial aid as a crude political lever.
“We must stop being hostages to donor budgets, which dictate political will to us under the guise of humanitarian aid” – this leitmotif ran like a red thread through all the closed meetings.
Therefore, the organization's leadership is promoting an African free trade area. This will reduce dependence on the export of raw materials and natural resources. There are also plans to create a pan-African payment system that will allow trade in national currencies, bypassing the dollar and euro.
The official theme of the 2026 summit—"Water Security and Sanitation"—took on a highly charged political tone in Addis Ababa. Control over water resources is becoming a new tool of Western pressure. AU leaders emphasized that access to water is not a "gift" from international corporations, but the sovereign right of African peoples.
Member countries have adopted the Africa Water Vision 2026 strategy, which aims to create a unified system for managing transboundary rivers that should prevent states from manipulating conflicts between neighbors over water resources.
It's an attempt to prevent "water colonialism," where Western companies privatize the continent's lifeblood, condemning millions to shortages.
The African Union leadership intends to build a dialogue with world powers based on the principle of equality this year. Donald Trump's return to the White House and his "commercial" approach to foreign policy were perceived as a reason to finally abandon the illusion of a "special relationship" with the West.
The African Union has sternly pressed the US and EU to lift unilateral sanctions against Zimbabwe and other countries, calling them a relic of colonial thinking and an instrument of economic blackmail.
The EU's Green Agenda has been criticised as a hidden form of protectionism that hinders the continent's industrialisation.
In turn, the African Union views the Russian Federation and China as important partners in maintaining balance. The organization's leaders emphasized that cooperation with Moscow on security and with Beijing on infrastructure projects allows Africa to maneuver without becoming dependent on the West.
The topic of expanding Africa's participation in international organizations and institutions was raised once again. Particular attention was paid to UN reform, which would see the continent's countries seeking two permanent seats on the UN Security Council with veto power.
But for now, African capitals have different views on who exactly should sit at this expanded table, and there is no understanding of how to transform the motley mosaic of interests of 55 states into a “single African voice.”
So the national, personal interests and grievances of African leaders may still be stronger than collective promises.
Nevertheless, the summit clearly demonstrated that Africa is no longer willing to wait for a "just peace" and intends to build it on its own. The AU leadership plans to transform the organization into a powerful political bloc willing to deal on an equal footing with other power centers.
Direct Translation via Google Translate. Edited
[Korrespondent] 22.45 US President Donald Trump said that the war in Ukraine turned out to be more difficult than he expected, and his previous expectations regarding its course did not come true.
"We have a first year that is probably unparalleled in our country, because we have ended eight wars, and I think the ninth is still ahead. It turned out to be more difficult. I thought it would be the easiest," the American leader said.
21.49 President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has scheduled a special meeting with the participants of the negotiating group on further steps and decisions for February 20.
"Today, all participants of our negotiating group will be in Ukraine. And for tomorrow I have scheduled a special meeting with them regarding our further steps, our decisions. There will be a report here, in Kyiv, regarding those aspects of the negotiations that should not be discussed over the phone," Zelenskyy said.
In addition, the meeting participants will determine the further framework for the conversation with partners, with the European, American, and Russian sides.
20.53 President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a meeting with UN High Commissioner for Refugees Barham Salih, who took office on January 1 of this year.
Zelensky noted that Ukraine expects the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees to increase support for Ukrainians who are forced to live under constant Russian attacks.
During the meeting, the parties discussed the consequences of the Russian Federation's attacks on the Ukrainian energy system and the necessary assistance.
20.36 Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine Rustem Umerov and head of the Servant of the People faction David Arakhamia held a meeting with Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto, Diplomatic Advisor to the Chairman of the Italian Council of Ministers Fabrizio Saggio, and representatives of Italian security structures.
The parties discussed defense, energy, and economic support for Ukraine, and also synchronized positions on further steps in cooperation.
Separate meetings were also held with the leadership of the largest defense companies. They discussed strengthening the Ukrainian defense industry, in particular, developing air defense capabilities to protect cities.
18.59 Ukrainian defense forces are reducing the "gray zone" in the Zaporizhia direction and preventing Russian occupiers from advancing deeper into the country's territory. This was stated by the spokesman for the Southern Defense Forces, Vladyslav Voloshyn, during a telethon.
18.44 Russian forces launched a UAV strike on a private farm in the village of Dvorichny Kut, Solontsivska community, Kharkiv district. The attack resulted in damage and a fire on the roof of the farm building. The area of the fire was 40 sq. m.
A farm worker, a man born in 1967, was injured, and about 100 pigs died.
17.59 An indictment against a 34-year-old Russian serviceman suspected of raping a 16-year-old girl during the occupation of the Kherson region has been sent to court. The National Police reported this.
17.58 Moscow is not commenting on the results of the talks in Geneva on the settlement of the war in Ukraine, as they are currently at a stage that should not involve public discussion, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.
17.49 22 people have been notified of suspicion for the forcible transfer and deportation of Ukrainian children from the Donetsk and Kherson regions. Four indictments against 11 people have already been sent to court. In addition, sanctions have been applied to 255 individuals and 53 legal entities involved in these crimes.
17.10 Since the beginning of the current day, 98 combat clashes between the Ukrainian army and the Russian invaders have taken place on the front. The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported this in an operational summary. Almost a third of the Russian assaults are concentrated in the Pokrovsky direction. There, the Defense Forces have already repelled 22 attacks.
16.52 The assets of Russian businessman Vadim Zarubin, who is involved in financing the Russian Federation's war against our state, have been arrested in Ukraine. The SBU reported this. These include 13 commercial real estate properties and corporate rights to eight mining companies in Ukraine.
16.43 The Ministry of Defense of Ukraine spoke about the characteristics of American AIM missiles, which have been in service with the Armed Forces of Ukraine for several years and the next batch of which will be transferred to Ukraine by Canada in the near future.
"American AIM missiles have been in service with the Armed Forces of Ukraine for several years. In particular, they are successfully used from F-16 aircraft and NASAMS ground-based air defense systems. The most convenient targets for them are enemy helicopters, jet drones, and cruise missiles," the Ministry of Defense noted.
16.19 The Security Service and the National Police have uncovered four new mobilization evasion schemes and detained the organizers of the deals in various regions of Ukraine. For amounts ranging from $12,000 to $18,000, the dealers offered conscripts to avoid conscription through forged documents or helped them escape abroad beyond checkpoints.
16.08 Sweden will provide Ukraine with 21 military aid packages worth 12.9 billion kronor (over 1.4 billion dollars), Swedish National Television (SVT) reported.
The military aid package includes anti-aircraft systems, long-range weapon systems, and ammunition.
15.03 Russia has recruited over a thousand Kenyan citizens to participate in the war against Ukraine, using tourist visa schemes and promises of high salaries, Le Monde reported, citing a Kenyan member of parliament.
"To date, over 1,000 Kenyans have been recruited and sent to fight in the Russian-Ukrainian war," MP Kimani Ichungwah told the Kenyan parliament, citing a joint report by the intelligence services and the Criminal Investigation Department. The figure is significantly higher than the 200 Kenyans previously cited by authorities.
14.45 The Ukrainian defense industry has demonstrated unprecedented growth during the full-scale war. This was reported by the Ministry of Defense.
"Production capacities have increased 50 times - to $50 billion. Thanks to this, domestic manufacturers already provide more than half of the Defense Forces' needs for weapons," said Hanna Hvozdiar, Advisor to the Minister of Defense.
14.20 From February 20, from 00:00 to 03:00, it will not be possible to receive services or update your Reserve ID in the Reserve+ application. During this time, the Oberig registry will undergo scheduled technical work.
On July 14, President Volodymyr Zelensky held a daily selector on the situation in the regions with electricity and heat supply, the topics of which were restoration work and providing for people in some regions. He reported this on Telegram.
14.06 A small number of Russian military personnel, who are unable to resist the Defense Forces, still remain in Kupyansk. This was reported by Viktor Tregubov, spokesman for the Joint Forces Group of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, on the air of the United News.
The head of state criticized the Kyiv authorities for allowing an "internal catastrophe" this winter.
13:44 The Defense Forces are conducting counterattacks and assault operations in the Oleksandrivka direction, restraining the advance of Russian troops towards the Dnipropetrovsk region. This was reported by the spokesman for the Southern Defense Forces, Vladyslav Voloshyn, Ukrinform reports.
"The situation there is quite difficult, but the Defense Forces of Ukraine are destroying the enemy, trying to prevent him from advancing towards the Dnipropetrovsk region, towards the settlement of Pokrovske," Voloshyn explained.
Ukrainian units continue active combat operations to contain the advance of enemy troops and stabilize the situation on this section of the front.
13.32 There are widespread power outages in the Belgorod region of the Russian Federation. This was reported by the so-called governor Vyacheslav Gladkov on Telegram.
"Due to the enemy's fire, there are widespread power outages. In the coming days, temporary power outages are possible in Belgorod, Rakityansk, Ivnyansk, Krasnoyaruz, Borisov, Hrayvoronsk, Shebekinsky, Belgorod, Yakovlev, Korochansky, and Prokhorovsky districts," he wrote.
12.44 In the center of Kropyvnytskyi, an attempt was prevented on an official of one of the state institutions responsible for the defense training of the population in the Kirovohrad region. An FSB agent was detained, the SBU reported.
12.43 Defense forces retain control over Nikiforivka, Nelipivka, Novye Shakhove, and Zatyshko in the Donetsk region and are not allowing Russian units to gain a foothold in these settlements. This was reported by Major Hryhoriy Shapoval, spokesman for the East Group of Forces, in a comment to Ukrinform.
"Despite the enemy's loud statements, these settlements are under the control of the Defense Forces in the Donetsk region," he noted.
11.05 On Thursday morning, eight regions of Ukraine experienced new power outages due to Russian shelling and bad weather, Ukrenergo reported. The Russian army carried out targeted strikes on the energy infrastructure of five regions.
9.50 AM Air defense forces neutralized 29 of the 37 drones used by the Russians to attack Ukraine. The Ukrainian Air Force reported this on February 18. Strike drones were hit at four locations.
9.19 Partisans carried out a sabotage action in Lipetsk, Russia, which resulted in the destruction of a communications tower involved in data transmission and coordination of the power structures of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation. This was reported by the partisan movement ATESH. It is noted that the 924th combat use and retraining center for personnel of unmanned aircraft units, the Lipetsk military airfield and the 260th arsenal of the Main Directorate of Missile and Artillery Management (GRAU) were located in the zone of operation of the tower.
8.47 On the front line over the past 24 hours, 237 combat clashes between the Ukrainian Defense Forces and Russian invaders were recorded. This was reported by the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on February 19. Missile troops and artillery of the Defense Forces struck two command posts, three areas of concentration of manpower, an electronic warfare station and a Russian cannon.
7.50 Over the past 24 hours, the Defense Forces neutralized 830 invaders and over 500 units of weapons and military equipment of the occupiers. This was reported by the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on February 19. The total combat losses of the Russians from 24.02.22 to 19.02.26 were approximately 1,256,910 people.
7.23 Russian troops shelled the Lozova community in the Kharkiv region. The largest boiler house in Lozova and water supply facilities were damaged. Thousands of people were left without water and heat. This was reported by the mayor of Lozova, Serhiy Zelensky. According to him, as a result of the Russian attack, the largest boiler house in Lozova was cut off - almost 16 thousand subscribers depend on it. Also, the enemy attack caused damage to critical infrastructure, and serious problems with water supply arose.
04.45 Ukrainians will not agree to voluntarily give Donbas to Russia even under difficult conditions. President Volodymyr Zelensky said this in an interview. He emphasized that Donbas is part of Ukrainian independence and values, and tens of thousands of Ukrainians died defending it.
01.36 In the city of Velikiy Luki, Pskov region, UAVs attacked an oil depot. An epic fire broke out at the site of arrival.
00.22 The Russian authorities have decided not to block the Telegram messenger for their military for now. This decision was made after sharp criticism from Z-military personnel, who emphasized that Telegram is actively used by the Russian military in Ukraine for communication.
Direct Translation via Google Translate. Edited
[Korrespondent] Almost a third of Russian assaults are concentrated in the Pokrovsky direction. There, the Defense Forces have already repelled 22 attacks.
Since the beginning of the current day, 98 combat clashes between the Ukrainian army and Russian invaders have taken place at the front. The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported this in an operational summary on Thursday, February 19.
Thus, in the North-Slobozhansk and Kursk directions, there were 11 clashes with the enemy, five of which are still ongoing.
In the South Slobozhansk direction, the enemy attacked nine times in the areas of the settlements of Veterinarne, Zelene, Starytsia, Vovchansk, Vilcha and towards Zarubinka and Chuhunivka. Two clashes are ongoing.
In the Kupyansk direction, the Russians advanced four times towards the settlements of Kindrashivka, Petropavlivka, Kurylivka, and Novoosinove. One battle is ongoing.
In the Lyman direction, our soldiers repelled nine attacks by invaders in the Shandryholovy area and towards the settlements of Stavky, Drobysheve, and Lyman. Another clash is ongoing.
In the Slavyansk direction, three clashes with the enemy are ongoing in the Ozerne, Riznykivka, and Rai-Oleksandrivka areas.
On the Kramatorsk direction, the Russians once tried to advance near Orikhovo-Vasylivka.
In the Kostyantynivka direction, the invaders carried out 10 offensive actions near the settlements of Rusyn Yar, Sofiivka and towards the settlements of Kostyantynivka, Illinivka, and Berestok.
In the Pokrovsky direction, the invaders have carried out 29 assaults in the areas of the settlements of Rodynske, Kotlyne, Udachne, Molodetske, Novomykolaivka, Filiya and towards Novopavlivka. The defense forces have already repelled 22 attacks.
In the Oleksandrivka direction, the aggressor attacked five times in the area of the settlement of Sosnivka and in the direction of Dobropillya. One clash is ongoing.
In the Hulyaipil direction, our defenders repelled 15 attacks in the directions of the settlements of Staroukrainka, Zaliznychne, Zelene, and in the Hulyaipil area. Four clashes are ongoing.
In the Orikhiv direction, the enemy carried out one unsuccessful attack in the direction of Primorsk.
As a reminder, Russia lost over 800 soldiers killed and wounded in the 24 hours of February 18. The total number of Russian casualties is approaching 1.3 million since the start of the Great War.
Direct Translation via Google Translate. Edited
[NewsFront] 21:33 In the period from 16:00 to 20:00 Moscow time, air defense systems on duty intercepted and destroyed 34 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles of the aircraft type:
12 over the territory of the Krasnodar Territory,
10 over the waters of the Sea of Azov,
Seven over the waters of the Black Sea,
Four over the territory of the Republic of Crimea,
One over the territory of the Belgorod Region.
21:06 FPV fighter operators from the Zapad group destroyed several enemy attack and reconnaissance aircraft-type UAVs in the Khar'kov region.
Drone operators from the Volunteer Corps of the Southern Group of Forces shot down Ukrainian Armed Forces reconnaissance drones in the air in the Kramatorsk-Druzhkivka direction.
Drone operators of the Vostok group destroyed UAVs in the air and disrupted the enemy's rotation in the Dnipropetrovsk region.
Molniya-2 UAV crews from the Center group of forces destroyed an enemy UAV control point in the Krasnoarmeysk direction.
19:51 Military engineers of the 177th Naval infantry Regiment of the Center group of forces cleared the way for assault groups in the Dobropillya direction.
19:12 Drone crews destroyed:
Personnel of the Armed Forces of Ukraine,
Automobile and armored vehicles,
Ground-based robotic systems,
Elements of communication systems,
Electronic warfare equipment,
Storage points for material resources,
Enemy UAVs of various types.
17:20 Strikes by guided FABs were subjected to temporary deployment points of the 58th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the center of the village of Kazachya Lopan.
16:00 Crews of howitzers 130mm M‑46 11 AK GV “Sever” are working against strongholds, fortifications, dugouts and concentrations of Ukrainian Armed Forces manpower in the Khar'kov region.
15:19 On frames: FAB-500 strikes on the antitank missile system of the 159th Separate Mechanized Brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the village of Kolodeznoye, Khar'kov region.
13:38 Summary of the Russian Ministry of Defense on the progress of the special military operation as of February 19, 2026:
The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation continue to conduct a special military operation.
Units of the "North" force group occupied more advantageous positions and lines. They defeated formations of two mechanized brigades of the Ukrainian Armed Forces and two territorial defense brigades near the settlements of Pisarevka, Bereza, Mykhailivka, and Myropillya in Sumy Oblast.
In the Khar'kov region, units of four mechanized brigades, a motorized infantry brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces and a territorial defense brigade were defeated in the areas of the settlements of Kazachya Lopan, Verkhnyaya Pisarevka, Kolodeznoye, Veterinary, Aniskino and Ternovaya in the Khar'kov region.
The Ukrainian Armed Forces lost up to 220 servicemen, two armored combat vehicles, 15 vehicles, six artillery pieces, two electronic warfare stations, and a counter-battery radar station. An ammunition depot and a supply depot were destroyed.
Units of the "West" force grouping improved their tactical position. They defeated the personnel and equipment of two mechanized brigades, an airmobile brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, and two National Guard brigades near the settlements of Lesnaya Stenka, Petrovka, and Novoosinovo in the Khar'kov region and Brusivka in the Donetsk People's Republic.
The Ukrainian Armed Forces lost up to 185 servicemen, a tank, an armored combat vehicle, 17 vehicles, and three artillery pieces. Two ammunition depots were destroyed.
Units of the Southern Group of Forces improved their position along the forward edge. They defeated formations of three mechanized brigades, a motorized infantry brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, and a territorial defense brigade near the settlements of Belokuzminovka, Kondratovka, Konstantinovka, and Artema of the Donetsk People's Republic.
The enemy lost over 115 service members, nine vehicles, and two artillery pieces, including one foreign-made. An ammunition depot and four supply depots were destroyed.
Units of the "Center" force group occupied more advantageous positions and lines. They defeated the personnel and equipment of two mechanized brigades, an infantry brigade, an airborne assault brigade, an assault regiment of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, a naval infantry brigade, and two National Guard brigades near the settlements of Annovka, Belozerske, Novooleksandrivka, Sergeyevka, and Vodyanske in the Donetsk People's Republic, and Novopavlivka, Gavrilovka, and Raipole in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast.
Ukrainian armed forces lost up to 350 servicemen, three armored combat vehicles, and eight cars.
Units of the "East" force group continued their advance into the enemy's defensive depths. They defeated formations of a mechanized brigade, an assault brigade, three airborne assault brigades, and two assault regiments of the Ukrainian Armed Forces near the settlements of Voskresenka, Komsomolske, Vozdvizhevka, Samoylovka, Barvinovka, and Verkhnyaya Tersa in Zaporizhzhia Oblast, and Velikomykhailivka, Aleksandrovka, and Pokrovskoe in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast.
The enemy lost up to 375 servicemen, seven armored combat vehicles, 13 cars, two multiple launch rocket system combat vehicles, including a Czech-made Vampire multiple launch rocket system launcher, two artillery pieces, and an electronic warfare station.
Units of the Dnipro Forces Group improved their tactical position. They defeated the personnel and equipment of the mechanized, mountain assault, and coastal defense brigades of the Ukrainian Armed Forces near the settlements of Lyubimovka, Shcherbaki, and Orekhov in the Zaporizhzhia region.
Up to 20 military personnel, five vehicles and a warehouse of supplies were destroyed.
12:43 122mm D-30 howitzer crews of the Center group of forces destroyed a stronghold and manpower for the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the Dnipropetrovsk direction.
09:51 Short bursts: anti-aircraft gunners of the 58th Army of the Dnepr group landed another enemy "bird" in the Zaporizhzhia region.
08:24 During the past night, air defense systems on duty intercepted and destroyed 113 Ukrainian aircraft-type unmanned aerial vehicles:
50 UAVs – over the territory of the Bryansk region,
35 UAVs – over the territory of the Smolensk region,
12 UAVs – over the territory of the Tver region,
10 UAVs – over the territory of the Novgorod region,
Four UAVs – over the territory of the Leningrad region,
Two UAVs – over the territory of the Kaluga region.
07:34 Changes on map over the past 24 hours:
Khar'kovka was liberated
Advance in the area of Belitsky and Rodinsky
Krinichnoye was liberated
Russian Armed Forces control Ternovatoye.
Advance in the area of Tsvetkovo and Zaliznichny
06:03 Crews of the 122mm 2S1 Gvozdika self-propelled howitzers of the Zapad group inflicted strikes on strongholds, UAV control points and infantry of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the Kupyansk district of the Khar'kov region.
[Newsweek] Western analysts have said Ukraine has regained ground around the southeastern city of Zaporizhzhia in recent days, likely taking advantage of Russian troops losing access to Starlink.
Starlink, run by tech billionaire Elon Musk's SpaceX firm, provides high-speed internet for soldiers on the battlefield, which is crucial for communications.
Musk said at the start of February that he had restricted "unauthorized use" of the satellite terminals by Russian forces, a move quickly praised by Ukrainian officials as showing "real results."
Russia's community of influential military bloggers have reported disruption to Russian operations in Ukraine since the new measures came into effect.
Posted by: Lord Garth ||
02/20/2026 00:00 ||
Comments ||
Link ||
[1763 views]
Top|| File under:
Of course. And soon we’ll discover whether they are right.
[Reuters] European intelligence chiefs are pessimistic about the chances of an agreement being reached this year to end Russia's war in Ukraine, despite Donald Trump's assertions that U.S.-brokered talks have brought the prospect of a deal "reasonably close".
The heads of five European spy agencies,
…all anonymous, of course, so really they could be anyone…
who spoke to Reuters in recent days on condition of anonymity, said Russia did not want to end the war quickly. Four of them said Moscow was using the talks with the U.S. to push for sanctions relief and business deals.
The talks - the latest round of which took place in Geneva this week - are "negotiation theatre", one European intelligence chief said.
The remarks point to a striking gulf in thinking between European capitals and the White House, which Ukraine says wants to clinch a peace agreement by June ahead of the U.S. congressional mid-term elections in November. Trump says he believes Russian President Vladimir Putin wants to make a deal.
"Russia is not seeking a peace agreement. They are seeking their strategic goals, and those have not changed," one of the European intelligence chiefs said. These include the removal of Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskiy and for Ukraine to become a "neutral" buffer to the West.
The main issue, a second intelligence chief said, is that Russia neither wants nor needs a quick peace and its economy is "not on the verge of collapse".
While the intelligence chiefs did not say how they obtained their information, their services use human sources, intercepted communications and various other means. All said they consider Russia a priority target for intelligence gathering.
Russia's foreign ministry did not immediately respond to a written request for comment.
Putin says he is ready for peace but on his terms. Russian officials say European governments have repeatedly been wrong in their assessments of Russia.
INTENSE DIPLOMACY
Ukrainian and Russian negotiators met this week for their third U.S.-mediated meeting of 2026 without any breakthrough on key sticking points, including territory.
After the meetings, Zelenskiy appeared frustrated by a lack of meaningful progress and suggested the Russians were more interested in discussing the conflict's historical roots than reaching a near-term agreement.
"I don't need historical shit to end this war and move to diplomacy. Because it's just a delay tactic," he wrote on X on Thursday.
A multi-volume chronology and reference guide set detailing three years of the Mexican Drug War between 2010 and 2012.
Rantburg.com and borderlandbeat.com correspondent and author Chris Covert presents his first non-fiction work detailing
the drug and gang related violence in Mexico.
Chris gives us Mexican press dispatches of drug and gang war violence
over three years, presented in a multi volume set intended to chronicle the death, violence and mayhem which has
dominated Mexico for six years.
Rantburg was assembled from recycled algorithms in the United States of America. No
trees were destroyed in the production of this weblog. We did hurt some, though. Sorry.
