News
Norway and Germany signed the Hansa Arrangement defence agreement on the sidelines of the MSC
During the Munich Security Conference, Norway and Germany signed a bilateral defence agreement called the Hansa Arrangement. The document is intended to consolidate all cooperation between the two countries in the field of security and strengthen Europe's contribution to the distribution of responsibilities within NATO.
Syrian army takes control of Al-Shaddadi base after coordination with US
Syrian government forces have taken control of the American military base Al-Shaddadi in the province of Hasakah after reaching an agreement with US representatives. This is the second base that Damascus has taken over in recent days.
Separate talks on Iran and the war in Ukraine will take place in Geneva on 17 February
Two diplomatic formats of negotiations are scheduled for Tuesday in Geneva: a separate meeting between the United States and Iran, and trilateral consultations between Ukraine, the United States, and Russia on ending the war.
The US intercepted the Iranian "shadow fleet" tanker VERONICA III in the Indian Ocean
On the night of 15 February, the US military inspected and detained the oil tanker VERONICA III, which is subject to US sanctions and is linked to the transport of Iranian oil in circumvention of restrictions.
Volker was sceptical about the prospects for negotiations in Geneva and called for tougher pressure on Russia.
Former US Special Representative for Ukraine Kurt Volker said that no breakthrough should be expected from the new round of talks in Geneva, as Russia is not showing any willingness to end the war and is not feeling enough pressure.
Von der Leyen called for tougher sanctions against Russia in Munich and discussed new restrictions with US senators
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen met with a bipartisan delegation of US senators on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference, during which the parties discussed further strengthening sanctions pressure on Russia.
Industrial and export sectors of the Russian Federation have entered the zone of maximum bankruptcy risk
The financial condition of medium and large enterprises in Russia continued to deteriorate until the end of 2025, and against the backdrop of sanctions, falling demand and the Central Bank's tight policy, the risks of bankruptcies in 2026 will increase primarily in industry and export sectors.
Australia allocates $2.76 billion for nuclear submarine shipyard under AUKUS
Canberra is allocating 3.9 billion Australian dollars to develop shipbuilding infrastructure in Osborne to implement a defence pact with the United States and the United Kingdom, with the total cost of the project estimated at 30 billion.
Trump and Netanyahu agree to increase pressure on Iranian oil, with China as the main target
The US intends to sharply restrict Iranian oil exports to China and increase economic pressure on Tehran, combining sanctions with nuclear negotiations and a military presence in the Middle East.
In 2026, Britain will deploy an aircraft carrier strike group in the Arctic and North Atlantic
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced the deployment of a British aircraft carrier strike group led by HMS Prince of Wales in the Arctic and North Atlantic waters in 2026, in cooperation with the United States, Canada and NATO allies.
Orbán called Brussels the main threat to freedom and responded to Zelenskyy regarding Ukraine's accession to the EU
During an election rally in Budapest, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán sharply criticised the European Union leadership, stating that Hungarians should fear Brussels rather than the East, and entered into a new correspondence dispute with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Canada has officially joined the EU SAFE programme, which provides loans for joint arms purchases.
Canada has become the only non-European country to officially join the European Union's Security Action for Europe programme, which provides preferential loans for investments in defence capabilities and joint arms purchases.