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Defense Policy / Programs

• Remarks by Vice President Harris in Press Gaggle The White House 20 Feb 2022
• US Soldiers in Poland Begin Drills Near Ukrainian Border, Polish Defense Minister Says Sputnik 20 Feb 2022 -- The US soldiers who recently arrived in Poland began military drills close to the border with Ukraine on Sunday, Polish Defense Minister Mariusz Blaszczak said.
• USS Chafee Returns Home to Pearl Harbor after Eight-Month Deployment US Navy 20 Feb 2022 -- The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Chafee (DDG 90) returned home to Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, completing an eight-month deployment with Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 1 to U.S. 7th and 3rd Fleets, Feb. 19.
• Finnish President Says No Reason to Revise Country's Position on Not Joining NATO Sputnik 20 Feb 2022 -- Finnish President Sauli Niinisto said he sees no reason to revise the country's policy of not joining NATO, but acknowledged that such discussions are currently taking place amid the worsening situation in Ukraine.
• US Had 'Serious Proposals' on Security for Russia, Wants Response in Kind, Pentagon Says Sputnik 20 Feb 2022 -- The United States had some "serious proposals" on security for Russia and would like Russia to respond in kind on that, Press Secretary for the United States Department of Defenсe John Kirby said.
• Russia Extends Troop Drills in Belarus Amid Sustained Shelling in Eastern Ukraine VOA 20 Feb 2022 -- Russia on Sunday extended its military drills in Belarus, along Ukraine's northern border, after two days of sustained shelling in eastern Ukraine between Russian separatists and Ukrainian forces.
• Russia, Belarus Extend Joint Military Exercises, Minsk Says RFE/RL 20 Feb 2022 -- Russia and Belarus are extending joint military exercises that were due to end on February 20, the Belarus defense minister said, in a move that further intensifies pressure on Ukraine as the West warns of an imminent Russian incursion.
• Belarusian MoD: Minsk, Moscow Have Decided to Continue Drills Due to Escalation in Eastern Ukraine Sputnik 20 Feb 2022 -- The security situation in the Ukrainian breakaways of Donetsk and Lugansk deteriorated significantly in the second part of the past week, with OSCE observers reporting hundreds of violations of the Minsk ceasefire. Donbass authorities responded by starting an evacuation of their civilian populations to Russia, and by mobilizing reserves.
• Nuclear Ukraine: What Kiev's threats to acquire world's deadliest weapons mean RT 20 Feb 2022 -- Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky has said his nation will have every right to become a nuclear power, citing a document signed by leading world states back when Kiev agreed to get rid of Soviet nuclear weapons in exchange for security assurances.
• Russian expert dismisses Ukrainian nuclear plans RT 20 Feb 2022 -- No single nuclear state will support Ukraine in acquiring its own nukes, an international relations expert told RT
• Going Nuclear Would Be Ukraine's Quickest Path to Pariah State Status, But Can Kiev Actually Do It? Sputnik 20 Feb 2022 -- On Saturday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky implicitly threatened to revise Ukraine's non-nuclear weapons state status, telling attendees of the Munich Security Conference that Kiev could pull out of the 1994 Budapest Memorandum - which committed the country to give up its massive Soviet-era arsenal of nukes.
• Pakistan's acquisition of Chinese J-10C fighter jets significant for both sides: analysts Global Times 20 Feb 2022 -- After alleged images of the J-10C fighter jet with the marking of the Pakistan Air Force recently emerged on social media and were widely circulated by media outlets, Chinese analysts on Sunday lauded the latest defense cooperation between China and Pakistan, saying that the move yields great significance to both countries, in terms of boosting combat capabilities of the Pakistan military, promoting China's aviation equipment, and responding to both countries' security interests in the region.
• US State Department gives preliminary approval to $6 billion tanks sale to Poland Press TV 20 Feb 2022 -- The United States has given preliminary approval for a sale of battle tanks and other equipment to Poland as the US continues to bolster NATO forces amid tensions over Ukraine.
• Secretary Antony J. Blinken On CBS Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan US Dept. of State 20 Feb 2022
• Secretary Antony J. Blinken On NBC Meet the Press with Chuck Todd US Dept. of State 20 Feb 2022
• Secretary Antony J. Blinken With State of the Union on CNN with Dana Bash US Dept. of State 20 Feb 2022

Defense Industry

Other Conflicts

• Yemeni army repels attack on key district, liberates mountainous area from Saudi grip Press TV 20 Feb 2022 -- The Yemeni army says it has thwarted an attack by the Saudi-led coalition forces on the northern district of Harad near the border with Saudi Arabia, while liberating a mountainous area from the control of the kingdom's mercenaries.
• Saudi warplanes hit Yemen after missile strike targets Riyadh mercenaries in Shabwah Press TV 20 Feb 2022 -- Saudi fighter jets have launched fresh airstrikes across Yemen, after a number of Saudi-sponsored militiamen loyal to Yemen's former president were killed in the Yemeni army's missile attack at their camp in the country's southern province of Shabwah.
• Resilience of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and cohesion of the partners are effective preventive measures - Oleksii Reznikov Ukraine MOD 20 Feb 2022 -- On February 19, Minister of Defence of Ukraine Oleksii Reznikov as a member of the Ukrainian delegation headed by President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyi was in Munich, Germany.
• Updated situation in the Joint Forces Operation area as of 11.00 February 20, 2022 Glory to Ukraine! Ukraine MOD 20 Feb 2022
• Readout of President Biden's Call with President Emmanuel Macron of France The White House 20 Feb 2022
• Telephone conversation with President of France Emmanuel Macron President of Russia 20 Feb 2022 -- Vladimir Putin had a telephone conversation with President of the French Republic Emmanuel Macron at the French side's initiative.
• The President of the Republic spoke with the President of the United States, Mr. Joe BIDEN and the President of the Russian Federation, Mr. Vladimir PUTIN. Élysée - President of France 20 Feb 2022 -- "The President of the Republic spoke with the President of the United States, Mr. Joe BIDEN and the President of the Russian Federation, Mr. Vladimir PUTIN. (...) Presidents BIDEN and PUTIN have both accepted the principle of such a summit."
• France says Macron, Putin agree to work for ceasefire in eastern Ukraine Press TV 20 Feb 2022 -- French President Emmanuel Macron and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin have agreed to work for a ceasefire in eastern Ukraine, Macron's office says, amid growing tensions between Moscow and the US-led NATO over Ukraine.
• Macron Holds Second Phone Conversation With Putin on Sunday - Reports Sputnik 20 Feb 2022 -- French President Emmanuel Macron held a second phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Sunday, BFMTV reports.
• Putin Points to NATO Effort to Push Kiev Into Military Solution in Donbass During Call With Macron Sputnik 20 Feb 2022 -- The Donbass has seen a dramatic escalation of military activity in recent days, with local militias and Kiev forces accusing one another of back-and-forth mortar and artillery attacks. On Friday, the breakaways announced a general mobilisation and organized the evacuation of civilians to neighbouring Russia amid fears of an all-out assault by Kiev.
• US, Russia Go Toe-to-Toe in Information War Over Ukraine VOA 20 Feb 2022 -- Has U.S. President Joe Biden been boxing in his Russian counterpart, making it awkward for Vladimir Putin to order a "shock and awe" invasion of Ukraine?
• Readout of President Biden's National Security Council Meeting The White House 20 Feb 2022
• Statement from Press Secretary Jen Psaki The White House 20 Feb 2022
• Putin Ready for Diplomatic Solution to Ukraine Crisis, Johnson Tells Macron - Downing Street Sputnik 20 Feb 2022 -- UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has discussed the situation in Ukraine with French President Emmanuel Macron, with Johnson telling his French counterpart that Russian President Vladimir Putin's "commitments" suggest openness for dialogue, Downing Street says.
• Blinken Says Russia Looks 'On Brink' Of Ukraine Invasion, Says Biden Ready To Meet 'At Any Time' RFE/RL 20 Feb 2022 -- U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken warned on February 20 that current developments look like Russia is "on the brink" of invading Ukraine and an extension of joint Russia-Belarus military exercises nearby increases concerns.
• Diplomatic Push Gives Way To Dire Predictions As Ukraine Tensions Remain High RFE/RL 20 Feb 2022 -- A flurry of diplomacy furthered hopes for a diplomatic push to avert the threat of large-scale war in Europe late on February 20, but Western warnings sounded more dire over spiraling tensions around Ukraine.
• Ukraine's President Urges Cease-Fire, Urgent Peace Talks After Speaking With Macron RFE/RL 20 Feb 2022 -- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy called on February 20 for a "regime of silence" and "intensifying" of peace efforts, as France's president conducted urgent telephone diplomacy with the Ukrainian and Russian leaders amid fears of an imminent Russian invasion of Ukraine.
• Ukraine's President Says He 'Supports' Immediate Ceasefire in Donbass Sputnik 20 Feb 2022 -- The announcement comes after days of escalating military activity, including intense artillery and mortar shelling of territory along the contact line. On Friday, leaders of the Donbass breakaways began an emergency evacuation of their civilian population to Russia and mobilised reserves amid fears of an imminent full-on Ukrainian invasion.
• Ukraine, Germany push back against US claims of imminent Russian invasion Press TV 20 Feb 2022 -- Ukraine and Germany have pushed back against assumptions by Washington about Russian intentions to invade the former Soviet state as tensions further escalated after US President Joe Biden warned that Russia could launch an attack "within days."
• Ukraine's Defence Minister Says It's Inappropriate to Speak of Russian Invasion in Coming Days Sputnik 20 Feb 2022 -- Earlier on Sunday, the Russian ambassador to the US, Anatoly Antonov, stated that Moscow has no plans to invade Ukraine, adding that Russian troops are stationed on the country's sovereign territory and "are not threatening anyone."
• Artillery Fire Heard on Outskirts of Donetsk Amid Shelling by Ukrainian Forces - Video Sputnik 20 Feb 2022 -- On Sunday, the office of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) at the Joint Centre for Control and Coordination of the Ceasefire Regime (JCCC) said that the Ukrainian armed forces had used 1,120 munitions over the past 24 hours.
• Kiev's Thwarted Attack Against LPR's Positions Resulted in Civilian Casualties, Lugansk Says Sputnik 20 Feb 2022 -- Ukrainian forces shelled multiple settlements overnight in the Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) in Ukraine's southeast, according to the DPR mission to the Joint Centre for Control and Coordination on the ceasefire regime (JCCC).
• Chinese FM Wang Yi calls for diplomatic solution, not hyping war over Ukraine issue Global Times 20 Feb 2022 -- Related parties to the Ukraine crisis should return to the Minsk Agreement, lay out a road map and schedule to solve the problem rather than hyping war and creating panic, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi stressed when attending the Munich Security Conference on Saturday.
• Ukraine urges more help from NATO, complains of being used as 'shield' Press TV 20 Feb 2022 -- Ukraine has urged the Western military alliance of NATO for more support in the face of a possible military conflict, complaining about having been used as a "shield" against neighboring Russia.
• Kiev's Forces Attempted to Attack LPR's Positions, Sustained Casualties, Lugansk Says Sputnik 20 Feb 2022 -- Ukrainian forces shelled multiple settlements overnight in the Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) in Ukraine's southeast, according to the DPR mission to the Joint Centre for Control and Coordination on the ceasefire regime (JCCC).
• Kiev Forces Fire Mortars Prohibited Under Minsk Deal at Donetsk Suburbs, DPR Says Sputnik 20 Feb 2022 -- On 18 February, the self-proclaimed Donetsk and Lugansk People's Republics announced the evacuation of their citizens to Russia over an escalation of tensions along the line of contact and the possibility of a full-fledged offensive by the Ukrainian army.
• Stoltenberg Warns of Alleged 'Full-Scale Attack' on Ukraine Sputnik 20 Feb 2022 -- NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has accused Russia of planning an attack on Ukraine under a fabricated pretext, at the same time denying the validity of the alliance's commitment in 1991 not to expand eastward.
• International Court of Justice set to resume hearings on Myanmar genocide case Radio Free Asia 20 Feb 2022 -- The International Court of Justice (ICJ) is holding hearings this week to determine whether it has jurisdiction to judge if atrocities committed by the Myanmar military against Rohingya Muslims constituted a genocide.
• Myanmar junta adds arson to its arsenal with proxy forces that torch opposition areas Radio Free Asia 20 Feb 2022 -- The torching of hundreds of homes in Myanmar's Sagaing region Friday highlights a brutal weapon in the junta's scorched-earth campaign in the parts of the country that have resisted the year-old military regime: the secretive Pyu Saw Htee militia.
• Nigeria Military Airstrikes Kill Seven Children in Niger VOA 20 Feb 2022 -- A Nigerian military airstrike targeting bandits has killed seven children and injured five others in the southern part of neighboring Niger.

News Reports

• West Could Cut Off Russian Companies' Access To U.S. Dollar, British PM Says RFE/RL 20 Feb 2022 -- The United States and Britain would seek to cut off Russian companies' access to U.S. dollars and British pounds if Russia attacks Ukraine, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson warned on February 20.
• Some Chinese cities reduce down payment to boost home sales Global Times 20 Feb 2022 -- Some Chinese cities have moved to cut the down payment ratio for home buyers in order to stimulate the property market after Evergrande's debt woes continue to dent buyer confidence.
• South Korean Presidential Candidate Warns North Korea May Perform ICBM Test as US Focuses on Ukraine Sputnik 20 Feb 2022 -- On Friday, US President Joe Biden declared that Washington believes Russian President Vladimir Putin has already decided to proceed with an invasion of Ukraine. The decision, backed by the Pentagon, has been rebuked by the Russian ambassador to the US, who stated that Russian troops at the border are on sovereign territory.
• Iran Lawmakers Want Guarantees That U.S., European Countries Won't Exit Nuclear Deal RFE/RL 20 Feb 2022 -- Iranian lawmakers have urged President Ebrahim Raisi to obtain guarantees from the United States and three European countries that they won't exit the nuclear deal being renegotiated in Vienna, Iranian state media reported on February 20.
• Iran urges E3 efforts to ensure Iran's legitimate rights IRNA 20 Feb 2022 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian on Sunday referred to ongoing talks between Iran and the five world powers in Vienna, underlining the need for France, Britain and Germany to fulfil their role and make efforts to ensure Iran's legitimate rights.
• Vienna talks: Steps left for Washington yet to take IRNA 20 Feb 2022 -- All participants in the talks to remove sanctions against Iran have acknowledged that a final deal is available, but the United States' refusal to accept the requirements of a credible and lasting deal has obscured the fate of negotiations.
• FM: Iran urges US, European sides to show real determination IRNA 20 Feb 2022 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian has called on the United States and three European countries to take necessary political decisions in order to show their real determination.
• West, especially US, responsible for potential failure of Vienna talks: Iran FM IRNA 20 Feb 2022 -- Iranian Minister of Foreign Affairs Hossein Amirabdollahian has warned that the Western powers in particular the United States should be held accountable for possible failure of the talks in Vienna to revive the 2015 nuclear deal and lift anti-Iran sanctions.
• Exclusive: Top MP sheds light on 'guarantees' Iran requires from West Press TV 20 Feb 2022 -- Joining Press TV's Spotlight program in an exclusive interview, a senior lawmaker details the type of guarantees that the Iranian negotiation team is demanding from the Western side during the negotiations in Vienna.
• President Raeisi: Iran bent on expanding all-out ties with Central Asia Press TV 20 Feb 2022 -- Iranian President Ebrahim Raeisi says the Islamic Republic welcomes the expansion of all-out relations with Central Asian countries, particularly Uzbekistan, and sets no limitation in this regard.
• Iran says US to blame if Vienna talks collapse Press TV 20 Feb 2022 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian says the responsibility for a possible failure of the Vienna talks rests solely with the West, and the United States in particular, as the Islamic Republic has invariably demonstrated its readiness to sign a good deal.
• Israeli PM says new yet "weaker" Iran nuclear deal imminent People's Daily 20 Feb 2022 -- Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said on Sunday that Iran may soon sign a new nuclear agreement with world powers but the new deal is "weaker" than the previous one.
• Saudi Arabia plans fresh round of talks with Iran over rapprochement, says FM Press TV 20 Feb 2022 -- Saudi Arabia's foreign minister says rapprochement with Iran is possible as the kingdom is planning to schedule a fifth round of direct talks with the Islamic Republic.
• Kazakh Authorities Arrest Ex-Defense Minister RFE/RL 20 Feb 2022 -- Authorities in Kazakhstan have arrested a former defense minister who was dismissed last month amid a consolidation of power by President Qasym-Zhomart Toqaev following deadly unrest that swept the country.
• Pakistan Clamps Down On 'Fake News' In Move Critics Call 'Draconian' RFE/RL Gandhara 20 Feb 2022 -- Pakistani authorities introduced new legislation on February 20 that they say will help clamp down on "fake news" on social media, in a move that free-media activists and the opposition are calling dangerous overreach.
• Tunisia's military court sentences lawmaker to jail for 'insulting' president, army Press TV 20 Feb 2022 -- A military court in Tunisia has sentenced a lawmaker to prison for describing President Kais Saied's move against the parliament in July as a "foreign-backed military coup."
• EU's Borrell Says Bosnia 'More Worrying Than Ever' After Croats' Election Threat RFE/RL 20 Feb 2022 -- EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell expressed alarm on February 20 over "centrifugal trends" in Bosnia-Herzegovina one day after Bosnian Croat nationalists threatened to scupper upcoming elections and form their own region in the troubled Balkan state.
• A New Draconian Media Law In Azerbaijan Gives The Government The Power To Decide What's News RFE/RL 20 Feb 2022 -- Journalists hounded and harassed to the point where many have fled the country. Independent or opposition media shuttered or blocked online. Nearly all news media reaching the public controlled by the government.
• Ethiopia Launches Power Generation at Blue Nile Dam Sputnik 20 Feb 2022 -- Ethiopian Chief Negotiator and Adviser on Transboundary Rivers Seleshi Bekele has announced the launch of the first turbine of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERB) on the Blue Nile River and the beginning of power generation.
• Zimbabwe's Main Opposition Party Holds Rally Under Conditions Set by Police VOA 20 Feb 2022 -- Zimbabwe's main opposition leader Sunday held a rally in one of the poorest suburbs under strict conditions that police set. Police maintained a heavy presence in and around the area where the rally was held.
• Sudanese anti-coup protesters brave tear gas in central Khartoum Press TV 20 Feb 2022 -- Thousands of people have once again held a massive rally in Sudan's capital, Khartoum, calling for justice for those killed during anti-junta protests since the military coup of October 25, 2021.
• Somali leaders reject 'illegal' deal with US oil company Press TV 20 Feb 2022 -- Somali leaders have nullified an "illegal" deal signed between the country's energy minister and an American oil company.