Russian strikes on Ukraine kill four amid reports Zelenskyy considering elections and peace deal referendum – Europe live | Europe
While it is reported that the USA is pressuring Ukraine to end the war, four people died in Russia’s attack on Ukraine overnight.
At least four people were killed in Russia’s overnight attacks on Ukraine; Moscow has shown no signs of compromise just two weeks before the fourth anniversary of the massive attack.
According to Reuters, the Ukrainian air force reported that 129 Russian UAVs were detected during the night and 112 of these UAVs were shot down or neutralized.
There are now hints that the United States is pressuring Ukraine to end the war as soon as possible, preferably before the summer. even at the expense of accepting far-reaching concessions.
Matthew on Monday Whitaker rejected Ukrainian claims that the US had set a deadline to end the war by June“I don’t think this is something the United States has come up with,” he said (Europe Live, Monday).
But Financial Times reported (£) overnight Ukraine is working on holding presidential elections and a referendum on the peace agreement, potentially as early as MayWashington is pressuring Kiev to act as quickly as possible or risk losing critical security guarantees.
The paper stated that Holding the election would be a major departure from Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s previously repeated suggestions that it was impossible.or at least impractical, doing so during an active war, Many voters have either been displaced or have difficulty engaging in active service.
FT suggested this Zelenskyy could announce the plan as early as February 24.fourth anniversary of the large-scale attack, but its actual implementation will still depend on the progress made in negotiations with Russia, Moscow shows no signs of giving up its maximalist demands.
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Russia will take ‘countermeasures, including military ones’ if the West increases its footprint in Greenland
Meanwhile, Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov warned that Moscow would take military “countermeasures” if the West increased its military footprint in Greenland.
“Of course, in the case of the militarization of Greenland and the creation of military capabilities aimed at Russia, we will take adequate countermeasures, including military-technical ones,According to AFP, Lavrov said the following in his speech to Russian MPs.
Norway’s defense chief says Russia may invade to protect nuclear assets
Shaun Walker
in Bergen
Meanwhile, Norway’s chief of staff said Oslo could not rule out the possibility of Russia invading the country in the future, suggesting that Moscow could turn to Norway to protect its nuclear assets in the north.
“We Do not ignore Russia’s land grab as part of their plan to protect their own nuclear capabilities, “This is the only thing they have left that threatens the United States,” he said. General Eirik KristoffersenNorway’s defense chief.
accepted this Russia did not have conquest goals in Norway like in Ukraine Most of Russia’s nuclear arsenal, including nuclear submarines, land-based missiles and nuclear-capable aircraft, is located on the Kola peninsula, a short distance from the Norwegian border, he said. These will be crucial if Russia comes into conflict with NATO elsewhere.
“We’re not taking that off the table. because it is still an option for Russia to do so to ensure the preservation of its nuclear capabilities, its second strike capabilities. “This is the scenario we are planning in the high north,” he said.
Kristoffersen said While Norway kept the traditional threat of a Russian invasion in mind, current Russian tactics were more widespread.
“If you prepare for the worst, there is nothing stopping you from countering sabotage and more hybrid threats,” he said.
However, he also added: Norway and Russia still maintained some direct contact It was stated that regular meetings were held at the border between representatives of the two armies and about search and rescue operations in the Barents Sea.
He suggested establishing a military hotline between the two capitals. Have a communication channel to avoid tension based on misunderstandings. He said Russia’s actions in the far north were generally less aggressive than those in the Baltic Sea.
While it is reported that the USA is pressuring Ukraine to end the war, four people died in Russia’s attack on Ukraine overnight.
At least four people were killed in Russia’s overnight attacks on Ukraine; Moscow has shown no signs of compromise just two weeks before the fourth anniversary of the massive attack.
According to Reuters, the Ukrainian air force reported that 129 Russian UAVs were detected during the night and 112 of these UAVs were shot down or neutralized.
There are now hints that the United States is pressuring Ukraine to end the war as soon as possible, preferably before the summer. even at the expense of accepting far-reaching concessions.
Matthew on Monday Whitaker rejected Ukrainian claims that the US had set a deadline to end the war by June“I don’t think this is something the United States has put forward,” he said (Europe Live, Monday).
But Financial Times reported (£) overnight Ukraine is working on holding presidential elections and a referendum on the peace agreement, potentially as early as MayWashington is pressuring Kiev to act as quickly as possible or risk losing critical security guarantees.
The paper stated that Holding the election would be a major departure from Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s previously repeated suggestions that it was impossible.or at least impractical, doing so during an active war, Many voters have either been displaced or have difficulty engaging in active service.
FT suggested this Zelenskyy could announce the plan as early as February 24.fourth anniversary of the large-scale attack, but its actual implementation will still depend on the progress made in negotiations with Russia, Moscow shows no signs of giving up its maximalist demands.
Morning opening: Ms von der Leyen, remove these obstacles
Yakup Krupa
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen insisted this morning that the EU must “tear down” the economic barriers that prevent it from becoming a “global giant” and while initiating 48 hours of intense discussions on the bloc’s economy, he did not neglect to deepen its internal market.
Some EU leaders will meet today at an industry event in Antwerp before meeting again tomorrow morning for a pre-summit discussion ahead of an informal summit smooth later tonight.
Addressing the largely empty hemisphere of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, von der Leyen said the bloc must “break down the barriers that prevent us from becoming a true global giant.” He warned that the current system amounted to “fragmentation on steroids” with many different and potentially conflicting legal regimes.
“We have the second largest economy in the world, but we operate it with the handbrake on.“The good news is that this can be fixed, but we need to focus on the single market and break down the barriers one by one,” he said.
Von der Leyen made the following warning:Competitiveness is the foundation not only of our prosperity, but also of our security and ultimately our democracies.”
The European Commission plans to present a series of recommendations. its included “EU Inc.” regime, This will allow people to register a company completely online in any member state within 48 hours and assist with cross-border operations.
“This is the speed we need and Europe made easy” he said.
The commission wants a plan to be adopted by March and implemented by the end of next year.
But it’s fair to say that other leaders had some competing ideas. A particularly strong anti-bureaucracy coalition is forming around the German chancellor Friedrich Merz and Italian prime minister Giorgia MeloniTherefore, we expect their voices to be at the forefront in this debate. president of french Emmanuel Macron He summarized his thoughts on this issue yesterday (Europe Live, Tuesday).
I will keep a close eye on this for you.
Separately, I will tell you the latest developments about Ukraine. There will be more news from across the continent as EU defense ministers meet in Brussels to discuss the situation in the country ahead of a separate NATO meeting tomorrow.
His Wednesday, February 11, 2026, his Yakup Krupa here and this Europe Live.
Good morning.
