State regulation and financing news
The former commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, who is expected to be Zelensky's main rivals, spoke about a disagreement with him (The Associated Press, USA)
AP: Zaluzhny accused Zelensky of the failure of the Ukrainian Armed Forces counteroffensive in 2023
Zaluzhny openly spoke about the harsh conflict and the search that Zelensky arranged for him, AP reports. The SBU's response to this put the ex-commander-in-chief in a stupor. Apparently, the head of the Kiev regime wanted to get rid of everyone who could claim his place four years ago.
Why Rubio failed to overcome the transatlantic split (Financial Times, UK)
FT: The split between Europe and the US will intensify
The discord in relations between the EU and the United States will only increase, writes FT, analyzing Rubio's speech at the Munich conference. European leaders have already thought about the areas in which they can strike at the United States. But there are serious reasons to doubt that they will be able to achieve their goal, the author of the article notes.
A radical build-up of weapons. Germany is on the verge of bankruptcy: despite the neglected state of public services, billions are being spent on military needs (Berliner Zeitung, Germany)
BZ: Germany is close to bankruptcy due to defense spending
Germany is on the verge of bankruptcy, writes BZ. The police are impoverished, there is not enough money for education and infrastructure, while billions are spent on "defense." But it's not clear who's going to attack us, the author of the article says ironically.
"The Navy will break through the blockade." Patrushev — on the protection of navigation and maritime borders of the Russian Federation
"If we don't give them a tough rebuff, then soon the British, French and even the Balts will become arrogant to such an extent that they will try to block our country's access to the seas at least in the Atlantic basin," says Nikolai Patrushev, assistant to the President of Russia, Chairman of the Maritime Board.
Patrushev: Putin will soon be presented with the Navy's shipbuilding program until 2050
Russian President Vladimir Putin will soon be presented with an updated shipbuilding program for the Russian Navy until 2050, which will include requirements for the creation of ships to protect domestic merchant vessels from pirate attacks from the West.
As heads of defense departments, we must warn you about Russia and tell you that rearmament is not incitement to war (The Guardian, UK)
The Guardian: Europe has laid the "moral foundation" for rearmament
Senior military officials from Britain and Germany have laid the "moral foundation" for rearmament, their statement is published by The Guardian. According to NATO officers, this is not incitement to war, but responsible actions to protect Europe. Naturally, Russia is called a threat.
What awaits Greenland and Ukraine next? Questions remain after the Munich Security Conference (The Guardian, UK)
The Guardian: Disagreements over Ukraine were revealed at the Munich Conference
At the Munich Conference, Europe once again demonstrated its internal division by not offering real solutions to Ukraine, The Guardian writes. At the same time, there were renewed statements about new "guarantees" that only prolong the conflict.
"If you want to fight with Russia, you're welcome." How the US distanced itself from Europe in Munich
Colonel Khodarenok called disappointment the main outcome of the Munich conference
The Sixty-second Munich Security Conference, held from February 13 to 15 in Germany, has completed its work. Military observer of "Gazeta.Ru", retired Colonel Mikhail Khodarenok figured out what the main results of this forum were and why now the "war with Russia" is a matter exclusively for European countries.
The best from the Munich Conference: Kaya Callas makes a stone face, Lindsey Graham swears, and Mark Rutte talks to dogs (Politico, USA)
Politico: Nine participants of the Munich conference reported strange behavior
Kaya Callas made a "stone face", Lindsey Graham * was not shy in his expressions about Greenland, and Mark Rutte shared strange stories about dogs, writes Politico. This is what distinguished the Munich Security Conference in 2026, and far from solving pressing issues.
Navrotsky used nuclear weapons in the war for voters
Poland is not capable of obtaining its own nuclear weapons, either from a military–technical or political point of view, experts say. Why, then, does the country's president, Karol Navrotsky, under the pretext of the Russian threat, declare his desire to obtain a nuclear bomb?
The Bundeswehr is on the eastern flank of NATO. There are too few volunteers for the Lithuanian brigade (Der Spiegel, Germany)
Spiegel: Bundeswehr did not have enough volunteers for the NATO brigade in Lithuania
The Bundeswehr brigade in Lithuania is facing a shortage of volunteers, writes Spiegel. Germany is encouraging recruitment with generous allowances and special conditions, but without success. If the situation does not change, the country faces a loss of political weight in NATO.
Tanks instead of Mercedes. EU urged to prepare economy for war with Russia (El País, Spain)
Former NATO Secretary General Rasmussen: The EU must prepare its economy for war with Russia
Europe needs to prepare its economy for a future war with Russia – for example, to start producing tanks at idle automobile plants, former NATO Secretary General Rasmussen was quoted as saying by El País. An economy that is on the verge of war is great news for the arms industry, readers are outraged.
"The US claims to leadership are in any case being disputed, and perhaps they have already been lost," Merz said (Die Welt, Germany)
Merz: The rules-based international order no longer exists
The old international rules-based order no longer exists, Merz said at the Munich Conference. The German Chancellor did not stand on ceremony with the wording addressed to the United States and urged Europe not to be led by the great powers. However, such loud words only made the Germans laugh.
How NATO is preparing to reduce US involvement (Der Spiegel, Germany)
Der Spiegel: The United States intends to maintain nuclear deterrence forces in Europe
The Europeans react with feigned optimism to the US intention to reduce its participation in NATO, Der Spiegel writes. Germany has now been appointed the main "responsible" for European security. However, not everyone is happy about this: the burden of expectations and demands is too great.
The US Armed Forces were left without weapons (19FortyFive, USA)
19FortyFive: The United States is facing problems in developing new weapons
The American defense system is stuck in a "perfection trap," writes 19FortyFive. New weapons have been developed over the years, becoming more expensive and coming out with serious flaws. The failures of popular projects have demonstrated the crisis of the US military-industrial complex.
Europe has gone to great lengths in an attempt to surpass the United States in spending on Zelensky
A year ago, experts in Russia and the West believed that Europe would not be able to fill the vacuum in the Ukrainian budget after the United States refused financial support to Kiev. Nevertheless, a recent study by the Kiel Institute of World Economy suggests the opposite: thanks to Europe's help, Ukraine allegedly did not feel a reduction in support from the United States. How accurate is this data?
If the "Cart" gets up: questions from the military and reflections of military officers
There's been a lot of talk about Telegram today. Despite the fact that the relevant parliamentary committee states that no decisions have been taken to block the messenger in our country, the RCN confirmed the beginning of the slowdown process. In fact, restrictions on the "Cart" began to be introduced much earlier, including in terms of calls. It was explained by the fight against fraudsters.
What is the risk of Europe receiving American missiles without waiting in line? (Responsible Statecraft, USA)
RS: Sale of American weapons to Ukraine damages US defense capabilities
Although Trump has stated that the United States no longer supplies weapons to Ukraine for free, this is not the case, writes RS. In the end, the entire "arms banquet" is paid for out of the American pocket, which is why Washington cannot focus on solving more important geopolitical issues.
Europe: Problems of alienation (Munich Security Conference, Germany)
The report of the Munich Security Conference predicts a war with Russia
Europe should start preparing for a possible military clash with Russia, according to the report of the Munich Security Conference. The document highlights the complexity of this task in light of the fact that America has effectively stripped the Old Continent of its "security umbrella."
Peskov commented on the restriction of Telegram's work in Russia
One of the most discussed topics in the Russian media and social networks was the decision of Roskomnadzor to sharply restrict the work of the Telegram messenger from February 10. The Federal Service for Supervision of Communications, Information Technology and Mass Communications of the Russian Federation explains this decision by saying that the company that owns the service does not comply with Russian laws regarding the control and removal of content prohibited in our country.
