Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Tuesday (Feb 18) criticized US-Russia talks in Saudi Arabia about the Ukraine war, highlighting Ukraine’s exclusion. “Discussions about Ukraine are happening again—without Ukraine,” he said during a visit to Turkey. While in Ankara, Zelensky stated on Telegram that he would discuss prisoner exchanges and other key issues with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia hosted breakthrough US-Russia negotiations aimed at ending the war and improving bilateral ties. Zelensky emphasized that no peace agreement could be reached without Kyiv’s direct involvement in the process.
TURKEY CONDUCTS NATIONWIDE RAIDS, DETAINS 300 LINKED TO BANNED KURDISH GROUP
Turkish authorities have detained 282 individuals in a nationwide operation targeting the banned Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya announced Tuesday. The raids spanned 51 provinces, with suspects accused of financing the PKK, recruiting members, spreading propaganda, and participating in violent demonstrations, Yerlikaya stated on X.
The PKK, which has led an insurgency in Turkey for decades, is classified as a terrorist organization by Turkey and its Western allies. The crackdown comes amid ongoing efforts to revive peace talks, with expectations that imprisoned PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan may call for disarmament.
RUSSIA CONDEMNS POSSIBLE NATO DEPLOYMENT IN UKRAINE AS ‘COMPLETELY UNACCEPTABLE’
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated on Tuesday (Feb 18) that any NATO troop deployment in Ukraine would be “completely unacceptable.” Speaking at a press conference on the Ukraine talks, Lavrov noted that former U.S. President Donald Trump was the first Western leader to highlight NATO’s role in escalating the conflict. He claimed Trump would have prevented Ukraine’s NATO integration, calling it one of President Joe Biden’s “biggest mistakes.” Lavrov reiterated President Vladimir Putin’s stance that NATO expansion and Ukraine’s absorption into the alliance pose a direct threat to Russia’s sovereignty and security.
IRAN CHARGES DETAINED BRITISH NATIONALS WITH ESPIONAGE
British nationals Craig and Lindsay Foreman have been charged with espionage in Iran, according to the country’s judiciary news agency. The couple, both 52, were arrested in Kerman in January, though their detention on unspecified security charges was only revealed last week. Judiciary spokesman Asghar Jahangir alleged they entered Iran as tourists but gathered intelligence across multiple provinces. The Foremans, on a global motorbike journey, planned a five-day stay before facing charges. They had entered Iran from Armenia on December 30, intending to reach Pakistan by January 4 before continuing their trip to Australia.
ISRAEL KEEPS FORCES IN LEBANON AFTER CEASEFIRE PULLOUT DEADLINE PASSES
Israel has maintained troops at five key locations inside Lebanon beyond Tuesday’s withdrawal deadline under the ceasefire agreement with Hezbollah. The move underscores the truce’s fragility, with Hezbollah accusing Israel of violating its terms. Israeli military spokesperson Nadav Shoshani defended the decision, citing the need to protect Israeli citizens near the border, where 60,000 remain displaced due to earlier clashes. He described the troop presence as a “temporary measure” and indicated that the US-led body overseeing the ceasefire had approved it.
