Details of Ukraine-US minerals deal and new aid from Poland - Tuesday brief
RBC-Ukraine collage
The US and Ukraine may sign an agreement on rare earth metals as early as this week. And Poland is preparing the 46th package of military aid to Ukraine, worth 200 million euros.
Read more about what happened on Tuesday, February 25.
Macron suggests possible truce in Ukraine soon
French President Emmanuel Macron stated that Russia's failure to adhere to a ceasefire would prove its lack of seriousness in peace negotiations. He also urged the United States to support Europe in the event of ending hostilities in Ukraine.
"The framework should be as follows: negotiations between the US and Russia, as well as between the US and Ukraine," Macron said, adding that an agreement could be reached in the coming weeks.
Poland preparing new military aid package for Ukraine worth €200 million
Poland is preparing its 46th military aid package for Ukraine, valued at €200 million, states Polish Minister of National Defense Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz.
White House reveals timing of Trump’s meetings with Zelenskyy and Putin
A meeting is expected between US President Donald Trump, Russian leader Vladimir Putin, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. These could take place in the coming days, citing the White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt.
"We expect these meetings to take place very soon, especially the meeting with President Zelenskyy," Leavitt said.
France may deploy nuclear fighter jets in Germany - The Telegraph
France is ready to use its nuclear deterrent to help defend Europe. Nuclear-capable fighter jets could be deployed to Germany.
A French official told The Telegraph that the deployment of the fighter jets would send a signal to Russia's Vladimir Putin. And it should also force British Prime Minister Keir Starmer to do the same as France.
Ukraine needs $524 billion for post-war reconstruction - World Bank
The World Bank, the European Commission, and the United Nations have raised their estimates for the total cost of rebuilding and restoring Ukraine to $524 billion over the next decade. This is an increase from the previous estimate of $486 billion a year ago.
According to the current estimate, 13% of the total housing stock has been damaged or destroyed, affecting over 2.5 million households.
Poland to provide more Starlink terminals to Ukraine
Poland will soon increase the number of Starlink terminals provided to Ukraine to maintain communication during the war.
By the end of 2024, Poland had supplied Ukraine with 24,400 Starlink terminals from Elon Musk’s company, SpaceX. In November 2024, a new batch of terminals was ordered and is gradually being delivered to Ukraine.
Poland loans the terminals, which helps avoid tax and legal complications. These terminals provide vital communication for the Ukrainian army at the front. The number of terminals fluctuates based on needs, and some have been destroyed in combat.
If Russia creates empire, Poland will be next after Ukraine - Ukrainian intelligence chief
Chief of the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine, Kyrylo Budanov, stated that the leadership of Russia sees its country as an empire similar to the Soviet Union but with the Warsaw Pact countries.
According to Budanov, the Russian authorities will not lose their desire to turn the country into an empire. And in the worst-case scenario, after the occupation of Ukraine, Russia will try to seize other countries.
EU Commission denies offering Ukraine agreement on rare earths
The European Commission has denied Politico's report that the EU has allegedly offered Ukraine a deal on minerals. European Commission spokesperson Thomas Regnier said that there have been no such initiatives from the EU.
“So there is no proposal. So since 2021, the EU has a partnership on critical raw materials with Ukraine formalized through our memorandum of understanding. So this dates back 4 years ago, as with all the EU critical raw materials partnerships that we have, this corporation is not only about securing supply chains for the EU but also about fostering. Um, local value creation and capacity building in partner countries ensuring mutual benefits,” Regnier said.
Slovak official calls on Ukraine to repay €3.5 billion in aid
Andrej Danko, Deputy Speaker of the Slovak National Council, stated that Ukraine owes Slovakia €3.5 billion, claiming this is the amount provided by previous Slovak governments in aid to Ukraine.
"If the Germans, French, and Americans demand repayment, Slovakia cannot stay silent," Danko remarked.
When Ukraine and US may sign rare earth agreement: Media reveals date
The United States and Ukraine may sign a rare earth metals agreement as early as this week. Ukrainian officials plan to travel to Washington on Friday, February 28.
According to Barron's, an unnamed Ukrainian official said that government representatives are continuing to work on the details of the rare earth resources agreement.
Meanwhile, Bloomberg, citing its own sources, reports that on February 26, the Cabinet of Ministers is expected to recommend signing the rare earth resources agreement with the United States.
Ukraine and US agree on terms for critical minerals – FT
Ukraine and the United States have agreed on the terms of a deal on rare earth metals. Kyiv aims to improve relations with the Trump administration.
According to the Financial Times, Ukrainian officials said Kyiv is ready to sign an agreement on joint development of its mineral resources, including oil and gas. They claimed to have secured significantly better terms for Ukraine and presented the deal as a way to expand ties with the US to strengthen the country’s future after three years of war.
