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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with Alex Karp in Kyiv as Ukraine accelerates the use of artificial intelligence and advanced data analysis in its war against Russia. The discussions focused on expanding technological cooperation in both military and civilian sectors, with Kyiv increasingly relying on AI-driven systems to improve battlefield operations and national defense capabilities.

Ukraine has partnered with Palantir Technologies on the “Brave1 Dataroom” initiative, which uses combat data collected since Russia’s 2022 invasion to develop AI tools capable of detecting and intercepting Russian drones. Ukrainian Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov said more than 100 companies are currently training dozens of AI models aimed at improving aerial threat detection and battlefield intelligence analysis.

Officials said the partnership has already helped Ukraine create systems for detailed analysis of air strikes and integrate AI solutions into deep-strike mission planning. Zelenskyy described Palantir as a key global technology partner with strong potential to support the defense capabilities of Ukraine, the United States and allied nations as the role of AI in modern warfare continues to expand.

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Greek authorities are investigating a mysterious unmanned naval drone discovered by fishermen near the island of Lefkada in the Ionian Sea. The vessel was found inside a cave and later towed by the Greek coast guard to the port of Vasiliki for military examination.

According to local media reports, the drone was carrying explosives and its engine was still running when it was located. Officials are now trying to determine the drone’s origin, purpose, and whether it drifted into Greek waters due to technical failure or loss of communication.

Some reports suggest the drone may be linked to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict and could resemble Ukraine’s MAGURA V5 sea drone, although this has not been independently confirmed. The incident has raised fresh concerns over the growing use of unmanned naval systems in modern warfare.

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Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskiy warned that the coming spring and summer months will be challenging as the country faces growing pressure both on the battlefield and in diplomatic negotiations to end the war with Russia. He said international partners have urged Kyiv to scale back strikes on Russia’s oil sector due to rising global energy prices linked to the Iran conflict and Middle East tensions, while also noting that the United States is currently less focused on advancing Ukraine peace talks.

Zelenskiy stressed that Russia must halt its attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure if it wants de-escalation and resume trilateral peace negotiations mediated by Washington. He expects the political and military situation to remain difficult until at least September and called for stronger international pressure and sanctions on Russian oil, especially after temporary easing of restrictions during the Iran crisis.

In recent weeks, Ukraine has intensified attacks on Russian oil facilities, including major Baltic ports such as Ust-Luga and Primorsk, aiming to reduce Moscow’s energy revenues. Despite requests from partners to slow these strikes, Zelenskiy argued that Russia’s oil exports do not significantly impact global markets and insisted that meaningful diplomatic progress will only happen if Russia stops demanding control over Ukraine’s eastern Donbas region while fighting continues along the 1,200-km front line.

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy arrived in Istanbul for high-level security discussions with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, aiming to deepen cooperation on regional stability and defense. Zelenskiy described the talks as “substantive,” emphasizing efforts to strengthen partnerships that protect lives and enhance security across Europe and the Middle East.

The visit comes as Ukraine expands diplomatic outreach to Middle Eastern countries following the escalation of conflict in the region. Kyiv has recently signed security cooperation agreements with Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar, while negotiations with other regional states remain ongoing. Ukrainian officials say the country is sharing expertise gained from its ongoing war with Russia, particularly in countering drone threats.

Alongside political meetings, Zelenskiy is also scheduled to meet Patriarch Bartholomew, the spiritual leader of the Orthodox Christian world. The discussions in Turkey highlight Ukraine’s broader strategy to build international security partnerships and reinforce diplomatic ties amid continued military pressure from Russia and evolving regional tensions.

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Moldova experienced widespread power cuts on Saturday after an emergency failure linked to neighbouring Ukraine’s electricity grid, according to officials. The outage affected the capital, Chisinau, and large parts of the country after disruptions in Ukraine caused a voltage drop on one of the main power lines supplying Moldova, the energy ministry said.

Chisinau mayor Ion Ceban said most districts of the city were left without electricity, with traffic lights and other essential services also knocked out. Authorities worked to manage the situation as residents faced sudden blackouts across urban areas.

Ukraine has also been hit by emergency power cuts, with electricity provider DTEK confirming outages in some regions. Kyiv’s metro was temporarily shut down and the city’s water supply was briefly halted. Ukraine’s power grid has been repeatedly targeted by Russian strikes in recent months, leading to ongoing electricity shortages that continue to affect both Ukraine and neighbouring countries.

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Ukraine has sent a high-level delegation to the United States for talks focused on security guarantees and a post-war recovery package, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Friday. He expressed hope that the agreements could be finalised and signed on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos next week. The discussions come as Ukraine seeks firm commitments to prevent any future Russian aggression once the war ends.

Zelenskiy said Kyiv also wants greater clarity from Washington on Russia’s position toward U.S.-backed diplomatic efforts to end the nearly four-year conflict. While noting progress in negotiations with the U.S., he acknowledged differences on certain issues. Ukrainian officials estimate the country will need around $800 billion for post-war reconstruction, and Zelenskiy said Ukraine has completed its part of the work on a proposed “prosperity package” to unlock recovery funding.

Ukraine’s ambassador to the U.S., Olga Stefanishyna, said senior officials, including the head of the presidential office and top security leaders, will hold bilateral talks in Miami to refine the agreements. Zelenskiy accused Russia of stalling peace efforts, citing continued strikes on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, and renewed calls for increased air defence support, warning that shortages of ammunition have already left parts of the power grid vulnerable.

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The International Monetary Fund (IMF) welcomed the European Union’s decision to lend €90 billion ($105 billion) to Ukraine over the next two years, calling it a key step toward closing financing gaps and restoring debt sustainability. The EU opted to borrow funds for this loan rather than use frozen Russian assets, providing crucial support to Ukraine, which has relied heavily on donor aid since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022 disrupted its economy.

The IMF has highlighted that additional measures are needed before approving Ukraine’s new $8.1 billion lending programme. These include implementing a program-consistent budget for 2026, broadening the tax base, promoting anti-corruption reforms, and securing financing assurances from international donors. The Fund estimates Ukraine will need around €135 billion ($158.57 billion) for 2026–2027, with the interest-free EU loan covering roughly two-thirds of these needs.

Despite the new financial support, Ukraine faces ongoing economic pressures as the war continues to drain resources. Finance Minister Sergii Marchenko emphasized the importance of implementing a Reparations Loan, while the country plans to allocate about 27% of its GDP, or 2.8 trillion hryvnias, to defence spending in 2026. The IMF reaffirmed its commitment to working with international donors to ensure sustainable financing for Ukraine.

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Turkey has asked Russia, Ukraine, and other actors involved in the war to avoid targeting energy infrastructure, stressing the need for uninterrupted energy supply amid rising attacks near the Turkish coast. Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar said Ankara is alarmed by recent drone strikes on Russia-linked vessels in the Black Sea, urging all sides to protect critical infrastructure, including international routes like the Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC).

The warning comes after Ukraine claimed responsibility for a drone attack on two empty tankers heading to a Russian port, while denying involvement in another incident involving a Russian-flagged vessel carrying sunflower oil. These attacks have pushed up insurance costs for Black Sea shipping and forced at least one Turkish company to suspend Russia-related operations for safety reasons. The CPC pipeline, which handles more than 1% of global oil supplies, temporarily shut down after damage caused by a Ukrainian drone, prompting Kazakhstan to divert shipments through the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) pipeline.

Bayraktar also revealed that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy requested Turkey’s support in securing gas supplies during his recent visit to Ankara. Turkey’s state-run BOTAS and Ukraine’s Naftogaz are now exploring cooperation opportunities. Noting Ukraine’s large underground storage capacity, Bayraktar indicated that the country could stockpile cheaper energy in summer for use during winter.

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Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has once again broken ranks with his EU and NATO partners by meeting Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow, just days before US-Russia discussions on the Ukraine war. Orban, one of Putin’s closest allies in Europe, has consistently opposed European efforts to isolate Russia, and his latest visit drew sharp criticism from EU leaders. Germany’s Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Orban was acting without any European mandate, calling his diplomacy “nothing new.”

During the meeting, Putin thanked Orban for offering Budapest as a venue for a potential Trump-Putin summit and praised Hungary’s “balanced position” on Ukraine. Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said the visit secured guarantees for Russian oil and gas supplies and confirmed continued work on Hungary’s Paks nuclear plant. The atmosphere, however, appeared tense, with reports of awkward interactions and suggestions from Hungarian media of mistranslated remarks meant to paint a friendlier picture.

Orban, facing a tough parliamentary election next April, is seen as using these high-profile diplomatic moments to strengthen his political standing. He continues to champion Trump’s proposed peace plan for Ukraine while accusing EU leaders of warmongering. Despite pressure from Brussels to cut dependence on Russian energy by 2027, Hungary still relies heavily on Russian oil, gas, and nuclear fuel. As Putin openly supports Orban’s re-election, both leaders appear aligned in leveraging the visit for political advantage.

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South Africa is facing a political storm after Nkosazana Zuma-Mncube, daughter of former president Jacob Zuma, filed a criminal complaint accusing her sister, MP Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, of recruiting South African men to fight in the Russia-Ukraine war. Zuma-Mncube alleges 17 men were deceived into believing they were travelling to Russia to train as bodyguards for Jacob Zuma’s political party, Mkhonto Wesizwe (MK).

Police have confirmed they are investigating the claims, while Zuma-Sambudla has not responded publicly. The South African government previously acknowledged distress calls from citizens who said they had been lured into mercenary groups with promises of lucrative jobs. Analysts warn that high unemployment—over 30% nationally and even higher among youth—makes many vulnerable to such schemes.

The allegations come as Zuma-Sambudla already faces terrorism-related charges connected to unrest in July 2021, when violent protests after Jacob Zuma’s imprisonment left more than 300 people dead. She denies wrongdoing and says the case is politically motivated. The accusations add new pressure on the MK party, which Zuma formed after his presidency and led to third place in last year’s elections.

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