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Ukraine

Ukraine is the second largest country in Europe after Russia, gaining independence from the Soviet Union and declaring neutrality in 1991. In February 2022, Russia's President Vladimir Putin ordered an invasion of Ukraine under the auspices of a "special military operation" to "de-nazify" the country. The move turned Moscow into a global pariah, and the Ukrainian army - backed financially and militarily by the US and western European countries - continues to fight off the invading forces. Nuclear-armed Russia has warned of consequences if Nato interferes in the war, while strategic ally China urges a peaceful, diplomatic solution.

Capital

Kyiv

Head of State

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy

Head of Government

Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal

Ukraine

.css-1m2rp1p{color:#34b8b5;}Opinion | Don’t expect Russia’s war on Ukraine to end in its fifth year

Barring Moscow or Kyiv reaching breaking points in their war efforts, neither side will make any steps to end or ‘freeze’ the conflict.

Poland tells US it won’t be a ‘sucker’ as Trump reshapes Nato

China affirms ‘no nukes’ position amid claims of European plan to arm Ukraine

Merz’s China tightrope: German leader has warm words, hard questions for Beijing

German chancellor strikes diplomatic tone in Beijing meetings while pushing his hosts on subsidies, currency devaluation and Russia.

Zelensky speaks with Trump, says Russia talks should lead to leaders’ meeting

The leader says Russian claims that Kyiv was trying to obtain nuclear arms were an attempt to exert political pressure on Ukraine.

5 top takeaways from Trump’s 2026 State of the Union address

In a speech that runs nearly two hours, Trump casts himself as a global peacemaker and touts his economic credentials.

Opinion | EU has a key role to play in the new world order in the making

In an uncertain global environment, the European Union remains committed to mutually beneficial relations with Hong Kong.

Russia accuses Ukraine of seeking nuclear arms with help from UK and France

Russia says the western allies believe Ukraine could end the war on more favourable terms if it had a dirty bomb, an allegation Kyiv denies.

Ukraine urges China to play ‘critical’ role for peace as war enters fifth year

Top Ukrainian envoy urges Beijing to ‘walk this last mile together’ on anniversary of Russia’s invasion.

4 years into Ukraine conflict, Zelensky says Putin ‘did not win this war’

The president said Kyiv wanted ‘lasting peace’ and any truce agreement ‘must not simply be signed, it must be accepted by Ukrainians’.

Where Ukraine and Russia stand as war enters fifth year

Europe’s biggest conflict since World War II shows no signs of stopping any time soon.

Singapore warns ‘action will be taken’ against citizens fighting in foreign wars

National Security Minister K Shanmugam says any Singaporean found fighting abroad will be detained by the Internal Security Department.

Assailant kills police officer and himself in blast near Moscow railway station

The attacker approached a patrol car downtown before detonating his device.

‘China shock’ hangs over German leader Merz’s first visit to Beijing

Chancellor must strike a balance between those wanting a toned-down Brussels trade policy and those backing tougher action against Beijing.

New Dutch government under centrist Jetten takes power

Jetten pulled off a stunning election win in October to dethrone the far-right party led by firebrand politician Geert Wilders.

Zelensky says he believes Putin has started World War III

Ukrainian leader says his country was preventing it from becoming a ‘broad full-scale third world war’.

South Korea protests Russian embassy ‘Victory’ banner as key war date looms

South Korea formally protests display in the heart of its capital as the Ukraine-Russia war enters its fifth year.

‘Brutal terrorist act’: twin blasts rock western Ukrainian city

A police officer was killed, 25 other people were wounded in bomb explosions in Lviv.

Hungary spoils EU attempt at Russia sanctions package over oil flows

Hungary’s nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who maintains close ties with the Kremlin, has long argued that Russian fossil fuels are indispensable for his economy.

Russian barrage strikes Ukrainian infrastructure as war drags on

Kyiv has faced waves of overnight strikes in recent weeks as Moscow has intensified its winter assaults.

5 European nations to make drones by tapping Ukraine’s war experience

The initiative by France, Poland, Germany, the UK and Italy comes after a spate of violations of Europe’s airspace involving rogue drones.

Where is Kim Ju-ae? Succession question hangs over North Korea’s ruling congress

With Kim Jong-un set to outline his end-of-decade vision, the notable absence of his teenage daughter raises fresh succession questions.

10 arrested over Russian plot to kill top Ukrainian officials

Moscow promised to pay the assassins up to US$100,000, depending on the notoriety and influence of the potential victim, prosecutor says.

North Korea’s Kim opens rare party congress with pledge to fix economy

North Korea’s economy has been languishing under heavy Western sanctions that aim to choke off funding for its nuclear weapons programme.

Over 1,000 Kenyans recruited to fight for Russia in Ukraine war: report

Russian embassy denied Moscow’s involvement in illegally recruiting, though it said ‌foreign citizens could voluntarily join its forces.

Ukraine war talks in Geneva wrap up in 2 hours with no sign of breakthrough

Neither side revealed what they discussed or whether any agreement had been reached, but both said the discussions had been ‘difficult’.

Zelensky says Trump’s peace demands focused only on Ukraine ‘not fair’

The president said Ukrainians ‘can’t understand why’ they would be asked to cede additional land to Russia.

Ukraine and Russia meet in Geneva as Trump piles new pressure on Kyiv

Zelensky urged allies to press Russia for a ‘real and just’ ⁠peace deal via tougher sanctions and weapons supplies to his country.

Opinion | Don’t expect Russia’s war on Ukraine to end in its fifth year