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Russia-Ukraine Conflict

U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky did not sign a critical minerals deal as planned after a tense Oval Office meeting, which Trump concluded by saying, "You either make a deal, or we are out. You don’t have the cards," The New York Times reported on Feb. 28.

U.S., Ukraine: Washington and Kyiv Spar at White House, Fail To Conclude Mineral Deal

The Ukrainian DeepState monitoring group reported that parts of Ukraine's Sumy region near the village of Novenke had become a grey zone due to Russian attacks on the flanks of Ukrainian forces holding a foothold in Russia's adjacent Kursk region, Kyiv Independent reported Feb. 28.

Ukraine, Russia: Ukraine Confirms Russian Forces Enter Sumy Region

Russian and U.S. diplomats will meet in Istanbul, Turkey, on Feb. 27 for their first technical meeting on improving diplomatic relations, Reuters reported Feb. 26. 

U.S., Russia: Russian and American Delegations To Meet in Istanbul 

Economics

Kyiv and Washington agreed to the preliminary terms of a minerals deal that Ukrainian officials hope will improve relations with the U.S. Trump administration and pave the way for a long-term U.S. security commitment, despite the deal containing no reference to security guarantees or further military support to Ukraine, the Financial Times reported on Feb. 25.

U.S., Ukraine: Washington and Kyiv Prepare To Conclude Preliminary Minerals Deal

Europe

French President Emmanuel Macron said he received backing from U.S. President Donald Trump for a European plan to deploy troops to Ukraine as part of a peace deal for the Russia-Ukraine war, Reuters reported on Feb. 25.

Europe, Ukraine: Macron Says U.S. Backs European Peacekeeping Force in Ukraine

At a press conference, U.S. President Donald Trump said he was more confident in achieving a settlement of the Russia-Ukraine war after the Feb. 18 talks between Russian and U.S. delegations in Saudi Arabia, adding that he would probably meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin around the end of February, Reuters reported on Feb. 19. 

U.S., Russia, Ukraine: Trump Criticizes Zelensky Ahead of Putin Summit

Qatar

India

Following Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani's Feb. 17-18 visit to India, the two countries released a joint statement in which Qatar pledged to invest $10 billion across a range of Indian sectors, including infrastructure, technology and manufacturing, Reuters reported on Feb. 18.

India, Qatar: Qatar Pledges to Invest $10B in India

Ambassadors from the European Union's 27 member states unanimously approved the bloc's 16th sanctions package against Russia since its 2022 invasion of Ukraine, Politico reported on Feb. 19.

Europe, Russia, Ukraine: EU Approves New Sanctions Against Russia, Prepares Military Aid for Ukraine

Columns

On Geopolitics

China

A map of the United States from 1897. While a revisionist America could lead to a more stable world order, it would be much more likely to lead to greater uncertainty, volatility, and conflict.

While a revisionist America could lead to a more stable world order, it would be much more likely to lead to greater uncertainty, volatility, and conflict.

What a Revisionist U.S. Foreign Policy Could Mean for the World

U.S.-China Relations

Assessments

Canada

Mexico

Israel

Palestinian Territories

A truck drives toward the Canada-U.S. border crossing in Blackpool, Canada, on Feb. 2, 2025.

Israel-Hamas Conflict

A look at what the coming week will bring -- and a list of recommended RANE articles from the week that was.

The Weekly Rundown: An EU Summit on Ukraine, U.S. Tariffs on Mexico, Canada and China

Snapshots

Minerals are loaded onto trucks at an open-pit mine in Ukraine's Donetsk region, near the frontline of the war with Russia, on Feb. 26, 2025.

The deal, while largely political for now, could influence the course of the war by justifying continued U.S. aid to Ukraine, potentially delaying any ceasefire with Russia.

The Viability and Potential Impact of the U.S.-Ukraine Minerals Deal

Germany

CDU leader Friedrich Merz (left) and the party's secretary general, Carsten Linnemann, hold a post-election press conference in Berlin, Germany, on Feb. 24, 2025. 

Energy

Environment, Science & Technology

Germany's new government will likely be more stable than its predecessor, enabling the CDU/CSU to pursue economic stimulus and a more assertive foreign policy.

German Election Results Position the Center-Right To Retake the Helm

Global Elections

South Africa

South Korea

France

United Kingdom

The Reichstag on Jan. 22 in Berlin. The center-right alliance between the Christian Democratic Union and its Bavarian sister party, the Christian Social Union, is widely expected to emerge as the largest bloc in the Bundestag after the Feb. 23 general election and lead the next coalition government.

The Weekly Rundown: German Elections, Macron and Starmer Meet Trump

(Left to right) U.S., Saudi and Russian officials attend a meeting in Riyadh on Feb. 18, 2025.

While the talks open the door to a ceasefire, the exclusion of Ukraine and its European partners creates the risk of a deal that is not enforced and fails to end the fighting.

What To Expect From U.S.-Russia Talks on Ukraine

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Ethiopia

Kenya

Rwanda

Lebanon

Sri Lanka

Damage on Feb. 13 in the Jabaliya refugee camp in northern Gaza.

Social Issues

The Weekly Rundown: Mideast Ceasefires and Arab Gaza Proposals, the AU Summit

Ecuador

Jordan

Jordan's King Abdullah II speaks to the press in the Cross Hall of the White House in Washington, D.C., on Feb. 12, 2024.

The Weekly Rundown: Trump Meets With India and Jordan's Leaders, Ecuador Holds Elections

Media

Podcasts

Is the Russia-Ukraine war Putin's Vietnam?

Essential Geopolitics: The Implications of U.S.-Russia Talks on War With Ukraine Part II

Is the Russia-Ukraine War Putin's Vietnam?

Essential Geopolitics: The Implications of U.S.-Russia Talks on War With Ukraine, Part I

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky looks on during a joint press conference with Poland's prime minister in Lviv on Dec. 17, 2024.

Despite growing pressure from the U.S. and Russia, Zelensky will resist proposals for Ukrainian elections and/or a ceasefire if he believes the terms would be political suicide for him and an affront to his country's interests.

How Will Peace Talks and Potential Elections Impact Ukraine's Political Stability? 

Russian President Vladimir Putin gives a speech during a state awards ceremony at the Kremlin in Moscow on Dec. 16, 2024.

The negotiations are unlikely to quickly yield a ceasefire, as Trump pressures the Kremlin for a deal with sanctions pressure and the prospect of continued support to Ukraine.

How Will U.S.-Russia Talks on Ukraine Play Out in the Months Ahead?

Russia-Ukraine Conflict

SITUATION REPORTS

U.S., Ukraine: Washington and Kyiv Spar at White House, Fail To Conclude Mineral Deal

Ukraine, Russia: Ukraine Confirms Russian Forces Enter Sumy Region

U.S., Russia: Russian and American Delegations To Meet in Istanbul

U.S., Ukraine: Washington and Kyiv Prepare To Conclude Preliminary Minerals Deal

Europe, Ukraine: Macron Says U.S. Backs European Peacekeeping Force in Ukraine

U.S., Russia, Ukraine: Trump Criticizes Zelensky Ahead of Putin Summit

India, Qatar: Qatar Pledges to Invest $10B in India

Europe, Russia, Ukraine: EU Approves New Sanctions Against Russia, Prepares Military Aid for Ukraine

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