Turkish Air Force’s SoloTürk F-16 performs an ultra-low pass over Fethiye, Türkiye.

Another angle of Turkish Air Force’s SoloTürk F-16 jet performing an ultra-low pass.

Shares in European defense companies experienced a significant surge today.

• Rheinmetall saw its stock jump 18% in Frankfurt.
• BAE Systems gained 14% in London.
• Leonardo climbed 15% in Milan.

Privately, there is talk that a Trump-Putin meeting, which has always been on the agenda, is now being accelerated.

Preparations are also underway for the second round of talks between Russia and the United States, which is due to take place soon.

Source: CNN

Kremlin:

Putin and Trump have had no public contact since their telephone conversation on February 12.

Hungarian PM Orban:

Ukraine is effectively on life support. If the US and EU do not support it, it will not survive.

Since February 24, 2022, Zelensky has thanked the U.S. 94 times.

British PM Starmer:

Increasing defense spending will bolster our national security and help to put more money in people's pockets.

Zelensky:

Over the past week, more than 1,050 strike drones, almost 1,300 aerial bombs and more than 20 missiles have been launched at Ukraine to destroy cities and kill people.

Those who want negotiations do not deliberately hit people with ballistic missiles.

Bio weapons: After running out of grenades, Ukrainian soldiers reportedly threw beehives into a basement where Russian troops were hiding.

The UK distanced itself from French President Emmanuel Macron’s proposal for a one-month ceasefire in Ukraine, citing concerns that it could allow Russia to regroup and strengthen its position.

Source: FT

How Did Assad Stay Afloat Under Sanctions?

A new investigation uncovers how gold smuggling kept Bashar al-Assad’s regime alive.

Smuggled gold was converted into foreign currency, funding his operations despite international sanctions.

British Armed Forces Minister Luke Pollard:

It is for the Ukrainians to choose who their leaders are. President Zelensky is a democratically elected leader.

US Congressman Brandon Gill wants to replace Benjamin Franklin with Trump on the $100 bill after Trump's current term ends.

Current US law needs to be changed to allow for living people to be depicted on currency.

Source: Fox News

Trump's Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard:

Elections are canceled in Ukraine. Churches are being shut down. Political opposition is silenced and there is total government control of the media.

A car-ramming attack has happened in Mannheim, Germany.

Police investigation is underway.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen:

We will inform EU member states on Tuesday about our rearming Europe plan.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot:

The United States has no interest in abandoning Ukraine and Europe.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot:

Never has the risk of a war in Europe been so high.

The threat keeps getting closer to us, the front line keeps getting closer to us.

Macron:

Europeans can no longer rely on NATO as they used to, as Trump's position has weakened it.

Future German Chancellor Merz:

Events at the White House were intentional escalation.