WASHINGTON, Feb. 12 -- Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Connecticut, issued the following news release: * * * Blumenthal Travels to Munich Security Conference * [WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, will join a bipartisan bicameral delegation led by U.S. Senators Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) to attend the Munich Security Conference (MSC). On Friday, February 13 at 11:30 AM ET / 5:30 PM CET Blumenthal a  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 14 -- The Center for European Policy Analysis issued the following commentary on Feb. 12, 2026, by non-resident senior fellow Alexander Kolyandr: * * * Death Without Glory: Russia's Message to the Frontline Soldier Russia's poorest people face a grim choice -- an existence of grinding poverty, or gambling your life and limbs on the regime's imperial adventure. * Russia's war in Ukraine is not being fought by a united "multiethnic people," as Vladimir Putin likes to claim. T  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 14 -- The Center for European Policy Analysis issued the following commentary on Feb. 12, 2026, by non-resident senior fellow Volodymyr Dubovyk: * * * Kyiv Battles to Shelter Ports From Russian Onslaught Moscow's increase in attacks on Ukraine's Black Sea ports and shipping is draining resources and threatening wheat exports. * The 40 days between December 2 and January 12 accounted for 10% of all Russian attacks on ports and ships that have been launched since the full-sca  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 14 -- The Center for European Policy Analysis issued the following commentary on Feb. 12, 2026, by Ronan Murphy, director of the Tech Policy Program: * * * One Tech Policy Battle After Another At this week's Munich Security Conference, tech policy will take center stage. Expect Europe to resist US pressure. * Battle lines are drawn. A year ago, US Vice President JD Vance came to Munich and delivered an unvarnished "America First" message. Since then, the allies have fought   more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 14 -- The Center for European Policy Analysis posted the following commentary on Feb. 12, 2026, by Kateryna Odarchenko, political consultant and partner of the SIC Group Ukraine: * * * Hard Return: Reintegrating Ukraine's Veterans Ukrainian veterans are struggling to reintegrate as they battle with broken bodies, damaged minds and war-ravaged public services. * After four years of full-scale war, the number of veterans transitioning back to civilian life is steadily growing  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 14 -- The Center for Strategic and International Studies issued the following Critical Questions Q&A on Feb. 6, 2026, by director Gracelin Baskaran and associate fellow Meredith Schwartz of the Critical Minerals Security Program: * * * Critical Minerals Ministerial Introduces New International Cooperation Strategy On February 4, during the inaugural Critical Minerals Ministerial at the Department of State, 55 foreign delegations from allied and partner nations convened to dee  more

SANTA BARBARA, California, Feb. 14 -- Direct Relief issued the following news: * * * Direct Relief Surpasses $2.2 Billion in Aid for Ukraine New funding for Ukraine's Ministry of Health targets the "last mile" of medical logistics to ensure aid reaches hospitals and clinics nationwide; $60 million in medicine and supplies delivered in January 2026. * Direct Relief -- one of the world's largest providers of charitable medical aid--announced today that its support for Ukraine has exceeded $2.  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 14 -- The White House issued the following news on Feb. 12, 2026: * * * First Lady Melania Trump Secures Another Russian - Ukrainian Child Reunification United States First Lady Melania Trump successfully united Russian and Ukrainian children with their families today. For the third time, the U.S. First Lady has helped facilitate the return of children to their families after they were separated because of the regional conflict. The American First Lady stated, "I appreciate   more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 13 -- Rep. Steny H. Hoyer, D-Maryland, issued the following news release: * * * Hoyer Remarks at Maryland-Bosnia and Herzegovina Exchange Council Inaugural International Gala * WASHINGTON, DC - On Thursday, Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-05) received a Lifetime Achievement Award along with former Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD) from the Maryland-Bosnia and Herzegovina Exchange Council at their Inaugural International Gala. Below are his remarks as prepared: "Good evening, I am h  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 14 (TNSxrep) -- Hudson Institute, a research organization that says it promotes leadership for a secure, free and prosperous future, issued the following commentary on Feb. 13, 2026, by senior fellow Luke Coffey to Arab News: * * * South Caucasus Should Be a Strategic Priority for the EU A study commissioned by the EU, which was published last week, focused on what investments and infrastructure projects are needed to better connect Europe to Central Asian markets via the Sou  more

PARIS, France, Feb. 13 [Category: Media] -- Reporters Without Borders issued the following news: * * * Inside a Ukrainian newsroom: from front lines to occupied territories, independent radio stations broadcast at all costs * Nearly four years after the start of Russia's full-scale invasion, Ukrainian radio stations continue to operate just a few dozen kilometres from the front line despite daily bombardments and power cuts. In the eastern Donbass region, the northeastern city of Kharkiv and  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 14 -- The Jamestown Foundation issued the following commentary on Feb. 12, 2026, by Sergey Sukhankin, senior fellow and advisor at Gulf State Analytics, in its Eurasia Daily Monitor : * * * Russia Leverages Economic Ties to Exert Political Pressure on Ecuador Executive Summary: * Estonia's seizure of a Bahamas-flagged ship suspected of links to Ecuador-Russia smuggling highlights Moscow's continued economic engagement with Latin America, one way that Russia sustains influenc  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 14 -- The Jamestown Foundation issued the following commentary on Feb. 13, 2026, by Anna J. Davis, fellow of Eurasia Studies and contributing editor of Eurasia Daily Monitor: * * * Russia Struggling to Resist PRC Rare Earth Dominance Executive Summary: * Russia is expanding domestic development of rare earth elements (REEs) as it joins global attempts to reduce dependence on REE imports and the supply chain dominance of the People's Republic of China (PRC). * Moscow is acce  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 14 -- The Jamestown Foundation issued the following commentary on Feb. 12, 2026, by Paul Goble, specialist on ethnic and religious questions, in its Eurasia Daily Monitor: * * * Russian Regions Starved for Money by Moscow Facing Serious Financial Problems Executive Summary: * Ever more Russian commentators are saying the oblasts, krais, and republics of their country are "on the brink of bankruptcy." The federal subjects' financial problems are the result of Moscow's policie  more

NEW YORK, Feb. 13 -- Hughes Hubbard and Reed, a law firm, issued the following news: * * * Jeremy Paner Analyzes Compliance Factors in Carlyle's Lukoil Deal Speaking to Energy Intelligence, Jeremy Paner analyzed the compliance factors in Lukoil's tentative agreement to sell its overseas assets, excluding those in Kazakhstan, to U.S.-based investment firm Carlyle in what would be a potential multibillion-dollar deal. Paner specifically discussed the deal's reported stipulation that asset tran  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 14 -- Arizona State University McCain Institute issued the following news: * * * Europe and Eurasia McCain Global Leaders Visit Estonia and Finland for Discussions on Defense Policy and Combating Authoritarian Threats to Europe The McCain Institute at Arizona State University (ASU) led a delegation of its 2025 Europe and Eurasia McCain Global Leaders (MGL) to Tallinn, Estonia, and Helsinki, Finland, for the regional cohort's Changemaker Tour. The global leaders refined their   more

COPENHAGEN, Denmark, Feb. 13 [Category: Media] -- The International Media Support, an organisation that says it works to strengthen the capacity of media to reduce conflict and facilitate dialogue, issued the following news: * * * MERIT Forum 2026: Who are this year's voices of Ukraine? * The MERIT Forum (Media, Exchange, Regulation, Integration, Transparency) is a platform designed to enhance professional exchange on media policy, regulation, European integration and democratic safeguards.   more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 13 -- The Peterson Institute for International Economics issued the following commentary on Feb. 12, 2026, by senior research staffer Alan Wm. Wolff: * * * Can smaller economies really create a new world trade order? Yes, they can. In a clear rejection of being subject to the dictates of major powers, Canadian prime minister Mark Carney articulated a vision at the World Economic Forum annual meeting in Davos that was a call to action for middle-sized economies: "[I]ntermediat  more

LONDON, England, Feb. 13 -- British Prime Minister Keir Starmer issued the following news release: * * * PM meeting with Chancellor Merz of Germany and President Macron of France: 13 February 2026 * The Prime Minister met German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and French President Emmanuel Macron at the Munich Security Conference this afternoon. Addressing the scale of the challenge facing Europe, they reaffirmed their commitment to continue working together, alongside other partners, to enhance  more

BRUSSELS, Belgium, Feb. 14 -- The European Union issued the following statement by President Ursula von der Leyen at the Munich Security Conference on the imperative for European independence in security and economy, and the strengthening of the transatlantic alliance: * * * Ladies and Gentlemen, I am delighted to be here with the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, an unflinching ally and friend. Dear Keir, we both know the backdrop to our discussion - the nature of today's transatlantic r  more

STOCKHOLM, Sweden, Feb. 14 -- Saab issued the following news release: * * * Saab and Joint Stock Company "Ukrainian Defense Industry" sign memorandum of understanding Saab and the Joint Stock Company "Ukrainian Defense Industry" (JSC UDI) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) regarding their intention to collaborate in the areas of aviation and airborne surveillance, in which they have complementary expertise. The aim is to strengthen Ukraine's defence capabilities. The MoU was sig  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 14 -- The U.S. State Department issued the following readout by Principal Deputy Spokesperson Tommy Pigott on Secretary Marco Rubio's meeting on Feb. 13, 2026, with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Munich: * * * Secretary of State Marco Rubio met today with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Munich. They discussed pressing global challenges including securing supply chains, advancing efforts to end the Russia-Ukraine war, and strengthening the partnership between the Uni  more

STOCKHOLM, Sweden, Feb. 14 -- The Swedish Ministry of Defence issued the following news release: * * * Sweden and Ukraine agree to cooperate on cybersecurity Cyber attacks are one of the tactics used by Russia in its war against Ukraine. Sweden and Ukraine have now reached an agreement aimed at strengthening Ukraine's resilience to cyber attacks, which also enhances Sweden's capability to cope with sophisticated cyber threats. The memorandum of understanding regarding cybersecurity was signe  more

STOCKHOLM, Sweden, Feb. 14 -- The Swedish Ministry of Defence issued the following news release: * * * Sweden strengthens Ukraine's defence with a contribution of USD 100 million to US package Sweden is contributing USD 100 million to the US support package Prioritised Ukraine Requirements List (PURL). Together with the Netherlands, Norway and the United Kingdom, Sweden will fund a joint support package totalling USD 500 million aimed at strengthening Ukraine's defence capabilities. "Sweden   more

LONDON, England, Feb. 13 -- The British Ministry of Defence issued the following news: * * * UK spends over PS400 million on long-range weapons as cooperation scales up with European allies * The UK is scaling up cooperation with key European allies to develop new long-range precision and hypersonic weapons, with spending on projects set to exceed PS400 million this financial year. Britain is progressing the Stratus joint missile programme with France and Italy - leading the work to develo  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 12 -- Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, D-Rhode Island, issued the following news release: * * * Whitehouse and Graham Lead Bipartisan Delegation to Munich Security Conference * CODEL McCain upholds the late Senator John McCain's legacy of marshaling bipartisan support for the transatlantic alliance Washington, DC - U.S. Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and Lindsey Graham (R-SC) will lead a bipartisan Senate delegation to this weekend's Munich Security Conference (MSC). The annua  more