Day 362 since the beginning of the war: US President Biden made a surprise visit to Kiev. The Netherlands raise allegations against Kremlin chief Putin. All information in the news blog.
The most important things at a glance
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Is Putin spying on Dutch infrastructure in the North Sea?
3pm: Critical offshore infrastructure such as internet cables, gas pipelines and wind turbines have become the target of potential Russian sabotage activities in the Dutch part of the North Sea, according to Dutch intelligence. Russia is secretly mapping this infrastructure and engaging in activities “that indicate preparations for disruption and sabotage,” according to a joint report by the military intelligence service MIVD and the domestic and foreign intelligence service AIVD.
Russian actors have scouted out the energy system in the North Sea in recent months. “It’s the first time we’ve seen that,” explains MIVD boss Jan Swillens.
Biden announces new military aid to Ukraine
12:15 p.m.: Shortly before the first anniversary of the Russian attack on Ukraine, US President Joe Biden made a surprise visit to Kiev. As reported by AFP journalists, Biden met his Ukrainian colleague Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Monday. The US President assured Zelenskyy of his country’s “unwavering” support and announced further arms deliveries, the White House said. Read more about it here.
China’s top diplomat holds talks in Moscow
10:33 am: China’s top diplomat Wang Yi wants to hold talks in Moscow on Monday about a possible peace settlement for Ukraine. That’s what a diplomatic source familiar with the process said. The Russian newspaper Kommersant had previously reported that Wang had already arrived. The Chinese Foreign Ministry declined to comment, as did the Russian Foreign Ministry.
At the Munich Security Conference on Saturday, Wang Yi announced that China would present a proposal for possible peace talks. He had held numerous talks with European governments and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Munich. He in turn warned Beijing against providing military support to Russia in the war. Wang Yi is expected to meet with Hungarian Prime Minister Victor Orban in Budapest on Monday afternoon.
China has not yet condemned the Russian attack on Ukraine on February 24, 2022 or called it an “invasion” – although Wang Yi himself has repeatedly pointed out the necessary territorial integrity and sovereignty of states. A former foreign minister, he is now director of the office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the Communist Party of China’s Central Committee – making him the country’s top diplomat.
Japan is planning a special switch for February 24th
10.30 a.m.: The Japanese G7 Presidency has scheduled a special meeting of the heads of state and government of the most important western industrialized countries for the anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine on February 24th. This was announced by Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. The G7 includes Japan, the US, Canada, Italy, France, the UK and Germany.
London: Offensive failure puts pressure on Kremlin
9.57 a.m.: According to British intelligence experts, a failure of the Russian offensive in Ukraine could increase tensions in the Russian leadership. This emerged from the daily intelligence update on the Ukraine war from the Ministry of Defense in London on Monday.
Accordingly, Russia is still on the offensive on several front sections, including in the eastern Ukrainian cities of Bakhmut and Wuhledar – sometimes with high losses. According to the British, two elite Russian units had been wiped out in Wuhledar to such an extent that they were no longer operational.
