The International Atomic Energy Agency has proposed that Russia and Ukraine conclude a temporary truce so that an important power line to the Zaporizhzhia NPP can be repaired.
This is stated in a statement by IAEA President Rafael Grossi.
In this case, we are talking about the backup power line "Ferrosplavnaya 1" with a capacity of 330 kV, which was interrupted on February 10 during hostilities. Despite the loss, the Zaporozhye NPP has secured emergency power supply via another 750 kV line and all safety activities at the plant are currently being carried out as planned.
It is currently unclear whether Rafael Grossi's request will be approved by Russia and Ukraine, and it is also unclear how long it will take to repair the damaged facility. The Zaporozhye NPP is the largest in Europe and is the subject of heated disputes in negotiations to achieve a final ceasefire in the war.
Ukraine has even proposed that the plant be placed under the control of the United States instead of being given to Russia.
Vladimir Putin is preparing a covert mass mobilization for the army against the backdrop of huge losses on the front, the ISW Institute for the Study of War wrote in an analysis.
According to analysts, the latest decisions of the Russian authorities are a clear sign that such actions are being prepared. On February 18, the State Duma adopted a law in its first reading that strengthens prevention against "evasion of the duty to defend the Fatherland".
The document will provide Moscow with opportunities to punish people who criticize the call-up of reservists to the army. The restriction of the work of the Telegram application, through which Russians are informed en masse about what is happening at the front and comment on it among themselves, is also seen as a sign of a possible mass mobilization.
ISW observers comment that the Kremlin is forced to resort to the mobilization of reservists to compensate for the almost complete exhaustion of the costly system for voluntary recruitment of soldiers for the front.
Former German President Joachim Gauck criticized current Chancellor Friedrich Merz for continuing to block the delivery of "Taurus" cruise missiles of Ukraine.
In the Maischberger talk show, Gauck called Merz's actions a wrong attitude towards the victim of the attack.
"This is a mistake. We see the attacker with all his military capabilities, but we treat the victim as if she were a threat to peace. This is unacceptable!“, Gauck emphasized.
According to him, the reason for such behavior is the fear of European leaders of escalating and expanding the conflict. Putin is counting on exactly this, Joachim Gauck was categorical.
He expressed his support for the rearmament program of Germany and Europe as a whole, but that it is important to also provide military support to Ukraine, since it is currently at war.
Ukrainian refugees will no longer be entitled to free healthcare and housing assistance.
There will be exceptions only for military personnel injured in combat. This is what the Rzeczpospolita newspaper reports, referring to a law signed by President Karol Nawrocki.
Ukrainian refugees will be able to stay in Poland under the current conditions until March 2027. They will also have the opportunity to obtain temporary residency for three years upon obtaining the relevant documents for legal residence.
This is another cut in benefits for Ukrainian citizens, as previously, benefits were suspended for Ukrainians who do not work, those who do not reside in Poland, and whose children do not study in the country.