Zelenskyy's big press conference and the first Leopards in Ukraine: today's highlights

Zelenskyy's big press conference

On February 24, the first anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a large 2.5-hour press conference for Ukrainian and foreign journalists. Among other things, Zelenskyy said that he plans to meet with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, how Ukraine plans to return deported children, when it receives fighter jets, and what Zelenskyy's worst day of the year was.

Leopards are already in Ukraine

On February 24, Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki arrived in Kyiv to announce the delivery of the first Leopard tanks to Ukraine. So far, Poland has handed over four German-made tanks, but more are expected to arrive soon. In addition, Poland will provide Ukraine with 60 modernized PT-91 tanks in the near future.

New assistance

The United States has announced a new $2 billion military aid package for Ukraine. It will include additional ammunition for HIMARS and 155-mm artillery shells, as well as drones and other equipment.

In addition, the United States is providing more than $10 billion in budget support for the government and additional energy assistance.

Meanwhile, Germany has decided to provide Ukraine with 18 Leopard tanks instead of the 14 previously announced. Poland has announced that it is ready to conduct F-16 training for Ukrainian pilots, but this requires a decision by the broader coalition.

On the first anniversary of the start of the full-scale invasion, the UK announced another package of sanctions against Russia. The new restrictions include a ban on the sale of hundreds of goods used by the occupiers in the war.

Russia claims provocations in “Transnistria”

Russia continues to promote statements about Kyiv's alleged preparation of provocations in unrecognized “Transnistria” and claims that an attack on Russian forces there would be considered an attack on Russia.

The Moldovan Defense Ministry responded that there are currently no direct threats to the military security of the state, and the National Army forces as part of the Joint Peacekeeping Forces are operating in the security zone as normal. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Moldova emphasized the need for unconditional and transparent withdrawal of Russian military forces and ammunition from the country.

The spokesperson for the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine, Andrii Demchenko, told us in a commentary that no changes in the situation were recorded on the state border with Moldova along the Transnistrian segment.

Procurement of the Ministry of Defense

Members of the Verkhovna Rada supported a draft law on the publicity of non-weapons procurement by the Ministry of Defense. It obliges to publish the price per unit of goods.

The document provides for the disclosure of prices for both those procurements that will be made after the law is approved and those made during a year of full-scale war. In particular, the Ministry of Defense will have to disclose prices for food for the military.

Other news:

• The Air Force announced a call for cadets to train on new Western air defense systems.
• Ukraine and NATO respond to China's position on ending the war. Ukraine's position is to withdraw Russian troops from all occupied territories.
• The Verkhovna Rada terminated the agreement with Russia on the Azov Sea.
• The Verkhovna Rada deprived three more MPs of their mandates: former representatives of the OPFL Nataliia Korolevska, Yurii Solod, and Oleh Voloshyn.
• A poll shows that most Ukrainians support strikes on Russian territory, but only against military and energy facilities.
• Defense Forces eliminated over 146 thousand occupants over the year, General Staff reported.