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NATO is facing internal turmoil after U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ruled out Ukraine’s full territorial recovery and future NATO membership, while France calls this a “moment of truth” for the alliance.

Elsewhere, tensions emerge over AI regulation, an American aircraft carrier collides with a merchant vessel, and Hamas releases hostages in a fragile ceasefire deal.

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🇺🇸🇪🇺 Belgium: U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth declared that America’s security priorities lie outside Europe, throwing NATO into disarray. He stated Ukraine will not recover all its territory or join NATO and ruled out U.S. troops participating in any future peacekeeping force. French Defense Minister Sébastien Lecornu called this a “moment of truth” for the alliance’s future.

🇬🇧🇺🇦 UK-Ukraine: Prime Minister Keir Starmer reaffirmed the UK’s support for Ukraine’s “irreversible path” to NATO membership despite the Trump administration ruling it out as unrealistic. Starmer spoke with President Volodymyr Zelensky ahead of the Munich Security Conference, pledging continued military aid and security guarantees. UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy also met US Vice President JD Vance, emphasizing that Ukraine must be part of any peace negotiations.

🇫🇷🇺🇸🇬🇧 France: The US and UK refused to sign an AI declaration at the Paris Artificial Intelligence Action Summit, citing concerns over excessive regulation. US Vice President JD Vance warned that strict rules could stifle innovation and lead to “authoritarian censorship,” while the UK argued the pact lacked clarity on security issues. France and India co-hosted the event, with 60 nations, including China, signing the pledge.

🇫🇷🇪🇺 France: French President Emmanuel Macron will host a summit in Paris with European leaders to push back against US exclusion from Ukraine peace talks. The meeting, set to include Germany, Poland, and the EU leadership, will discuss security guarantees for Ukraine, including NATO membership if Russia breaches a ceasefire. European leaders fear the US-Russia talks in Riyadh could lead to imposed neutrality and spheres of influence in Eastern Europe.

🇺🇸 Mediterranean: The USS Harry S. Truman, a Nimitz-class aircraft carrier, collided with the merchant vessel Besiktas-M near Port Said, Egypt. The U.S. Navy confirmed there were no injuries, flooding, or damage to the carrier’s propulsion systems. An investigation into the incident is underway.

Major Story

🇪🇺🇺🇲 Europe in Disarray on Ukraine After Vance’s Munich Tirade

The Munich Security Conference exposed growing transatlantic divisions as U.S. Vice President JD Vance delivered an anti-European speech, shifting the focus away from Ukraine. His remarks questioned Europe’s “fundamental values” and implied that internal threats, not Russia or China, posed the biggest danger. European officials reacted with shock, with some warning that the U.S. is no longer the steadfast ally they once relied upon.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with Vance but received no firm commitments on U.S. support. He later stated that Europe must unite and consider forming its own armed forces. European leaders are now scrambling to craft a strategy independent of Washington, fearing that U.S. policy on Ukraine is becoming increasingly unpredictable.

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Other News

🇪🇺 EU: The European Commission is considering import bans on food grown with pesticides prohibited in the bloc, echoing Donald Trump’s “reciprocal” trade policies. The move, which could target US crops like soybeans, aims to protect European farmers and consumers but may strain trade relations. Officials insist the restrictions will be based on scientific assessments and international trade rules.

🇪🇺 EU: European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will host over 300 industry leaders in Antwerp on February 26 to present her Clean Industrial Deal, aimed at boosting EU competitiveness. The event follows growing concerns from businesses over high energy costs and regulatory burdens. Von der Leyen will deliver a keynote speech and hold discussions with top CEOs to address industry demands.

🇮🇱🇵🇸 Israel-Gaza: Hamas released three Israeli hostages in exchange for 369 Palestinian prisoners amid a fragile ceasefire. The hostages were handed to the Red Cross before being transferred to Israel, while the released Palestinian prisoners included some serving life sentences. The truce remains at risk, with Israel warning of renewed military action if Hamas does not comply with the agreement.

🇬🇧 UK: Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said the UK aims to be a bridge between Europe and Trump’s US amid tensions over Ukraine’s NATO membership. He insisted the UK has not given up on persuading the US to allow Ukraine to join NATO and downplayed fears of a fundamental rift. Prime Minister Keir Starmer is set to attend an emergency summit in Paris before a potential trip to Washington.

🇵🇱 Poland: Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski ruled out the creation of a unified European army, despite calls from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Zelensky argued that Europe needs its own military force to ensure security amid uncertainty over US protection. Sikorski’s comments highlight ongoing divisions within Europe on defense integration.

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Prisoners of Geography

The Revenge of Geography

The World: A Brief Introduction

The Shock Doctrine

Sea Power

The Tragedy of Great Power Politics

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