Kremlin repeats original war aims in multiple interviews. Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov gave three back‑to‑back interviews (Feb 9 BRICS, Feb 10 NTV, Feb 11 “Empathy Manuchi”) echoing the same messages, while Security Council Chair Dmitry Medvedev did likewise in a three‑way interview on Feb 1, aiming at both domestic and foreign audiences [1].
Lavrov restates 2021‑2022 NATO and Ukraine demands on a youth‑focused podcast. In the Feb 11 “Empathy Manuchi” interview he demanded NATO halt expansion, urged Ukraine to repeal language‑law and UOC‑MP statutes, and declared “security is non‑negotiable,” showing no willingness to compromise [6].
Ukraine eyes a new US‑hosted trilateral summit on Feb 17‑18, but Russia’s participation is uncertain. President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed Ukraine will attend a US‑organized meeting and hopes to discuss a “free economic zone” in Donbas, yet he noted Russia has not confirmed attendance and may push for a venue in Abu Dhabi [7][8][9].
Russian milbloggers criticize recent Telegram throttling, accusing officials of misinformation. Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov and Duma Defense Committee chair Andrei Kartapolov claimed troops barely use Telegram, prompting bloggers to allege the Kremlin is downplaying the platform’s role in frontline command and control [18][19][20][21].
US Ambassador to NATO reports $4.5 billion pledged to the PURL weapons‑funding program. Matt Whitaker said 21 NATO members, plus Australia and New Zealand, have contributed the sum since summer 2025, with Norway, the Netherlands and Germany leading, and more pledges expected at the Feb 12 NATO ministers’ meeting [22].
Frontline activity shows mixed advances: Ukraine pushes near Hulyaipole while Russia makes limited gains in Sumy, Borova and Slovyansk. Ukrainian forces cleared villages northwest of Hulyaipole and struck the Volgograd oil refinery, causing fires; Russian units advanced north of Nova Sich in Sumy Oblast and in central Bohuslavka near Borova, but many sectors saw no territorial change [23][26][36][57][58].