{"id":438837,"date":"2026-02-22T01:19:17","date_gmt":"2026-02-22T01:19:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/438837\/"},"modified":"2026-02-22T01:19:17","modified_gmt":"2026-02-22T01:19:17","slug":"ukraine-russia-war-latest-uk-will-make-2026-the-year-war-ends-says-defence-secretary-after-vow-to-deploy-troops","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/438837\/","title":{"rendered":"Ukraine-Russia war latest: UK will \u2018make 2026 the year war ends\u2019 says defence secretary after vow to deploy troops"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/a>Hungary says it will block a key EU loan to Ukraine until Russian oil shipments resume<\/p>\n

Hungary will block a planned 90-billion-euro ($106-billion) European Union loan to Ukraine<\/a> until the flow of Russian oil through the Druzhba pipeline resumes, Hungary’s foreign minister said.<\/p>\n

Russian oil shipments to Hungary and Slovakia<\/a> have been interrupted since Jan. 27, after Ukrainian officials said a Russian drone attack damaged the Druzhba pipeline, which carries Russian crude across Ukrainian territory and into Central Europe.<\/p>\n

Hungary and Slovakia, which have both received a temporary exemption from an EU policy prohibiting imports of Russian oil, have accused Ukraine \u2014 without providing evidence \u2014 of deliberately holding up supplies.<\/p>\n

Maira Butt22 February 2026 01:00<\/p>\n

<\/a>Ukraine frontline mapped: Kyiv counteroffensive regained territory before fruitless US peace talks<\/p>\n

Ukraine headed into the third round of direct talks with Russia and US mediators this week following a string of symbolic victories on the frontlines.<\/p>\n

There has been little progress in the talks to date, with Ukraine\u2019s president Volodymyr Zelensky recently sharing his frustration that his country is \u201ctoo often\u201d asked to make concessions – as Moscow sticks to its maximalist demands.<\/p>\n

With land still central to diplomacy, Ukrainian negotiators headed for Geneva this week emboldened by recent territorial gains on the battlefield.<\/p>\n

Maira Butt22 February 2026 00:01<\/p>\n

<\/a>Former UK PM Boris Johnson says UK should immediately send non-combat troops to Ukraine<\/p>\n

Speaking ahead of the four-year anniversary <\/a>of the invasion<\/a>, the former politician told BBC\u2019s Laura Kuenssberg that Ukraine\u2019s allies had been \u201ctoo slow\u201d to respond.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe’ve always delayed needlessly,\u201d he said. \u201cWe’ve then ended up giving the Ukrainians what they have been asking for, and actually it’s always served to their advantage and to the disadvantage of Putin. I mean, the one person who suffers from escalation is Putin.\u201d<\/p>\n

Maira Butt21 February 2026 23:43<\/p>\n

<\/a>Watch: Boris Johnson says UK should send non-combat troops to Ukraine now<\/p>\n

Former prime minister Boris Johnson <\/a>has said the UK should send non-combat troops to Ukraine<\/a> now in a bid to \u201cflip a switch\u201d in Russian leader Vladimir Putin<\/a>\u2019s head.<\/p>\n

Mr Johnson said the country should put boots on the ground in non-fighting zones, adding Ukraine\u2019s allies have been \u201ctoo slow\u201d to send support to Kyiv.<\/p>\n

Speaking to the BBC\u2019s Laura Kuenssberg alongside the former head of the military, Adm Sir Tony Radakin, the former PM said: “We’ve always delayed needlessly,.<\/p>\n

“We’ve then ended up giving the Ukrainians what they have been asking for, and actually it’s always served to their advantage and to the disadvantage of Putin.<\/p>\n

“I mean, the one person who suffers from escalation is Putin.”<\/p>\n

Boris Johnson says UK should send non-combat troops to Ukraine now<\/p>\n

Maira Butt21 February 2026 23:00<\/p>\n

<\/a>Ukraine officials to boycott Paralympics over Russia\u2019s participation<\/p>\n

Ukrainian officials are poised to boycott the upcoming Milano Cortina Paralympics<\/a> next month, protesting the participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes<\/a> competing under their national flags.<\/p>\n

Ukraine<\/a>‘s Sports Minister Matvii Bidnyi confirmed on Wednesday that while Ukrainian athletes will still take part in the 6-15 March games, no official representatives from Ukraine will attend the opening ceremony or any other event.<\/p>\n

It comes after the International Paralympic Committee’s (IPC) decision on Tuesday, which cleared a combined total of 10 para-athletes from Russia<\/a> and Belarus to compete. Six slots have been handed to Russia and four to Belarus.<\/p>\n

Maira Butt21 February 2026 22:00<\/p>\n

<\/a>Ukraine strikes a key industrial site deep inside Russia<\/p>\n

Ukrainian drones struck an industrial site deep inside Russia<\/a> on Saturday, and a Russian news channel reported the target was a key state-owned missile factory.<\/p>\n

The attack took place in Russia\u2019s Udmurt Republic, leaving 11 injured, three of whom were hospitalized, according to a Telegram<\/a> post by Sergei Bagin, the local health minister.<\/p>\n

\u201cOne<\/a> of the republic\u2019s facilities was attacked by drones\u201d launched by Ukraine, regional head Alexander Brechalov said in another Telegram post. He added that the strike caused injuries and damage but did not name the site or give further details.<\/p>\n

\"InIn this photo provided by Ukraine’s 65th Mechanized Brigade press service, a local passes by a destroyed apartment building following an Russian air strike in the town of Komyshuvakha in the Zaporizhzhia region of Ukraine on 20 February. (Ukrainian 65 Mechanized brigade)<\/p>\n

Maira Butt21 February 2026 21:00<\/p>\n

<\/a>IMF board to weigh new $8.1bn Ukraine support package<\/p>\n

The International Monetary Fund said its board will consider a new $8.1bn programme for Ukraine in the coming days after staff reached a preliminary agreement with Kyiv.<\/p>\n

IMF spokesperson Julie Kozack said Ukrainian authorities had completed the required prior actions, including submitting a draft labour code law to parliament and adopting the 2026 state budget.<\/p>\n

She added that Ukraine\u2019s economy is likely to grow below 2 per cent in 2025 and that Russia\u2019s invasion \u201ccontinues to take a heavy toll on Ukraine\u2019s people and its economy\u201d.<\/p>\n

The proposed arrangement would form part of longer-term financial support as Ukraine continues to fund its wartime budget and stabilise its economy amid the ongoing war.<\/p>\n

If approved, the board decision would allow further disbursements under the programme.<\/p>\n

Maira Butt21 February 2026 20:15<\/p>\n

<\/a>Ukraine\u2019s women at breaking point after four years of war as attacks on energy and healthcare continue \u2013 says N<\/p>\n

Russia\u2019s attacks on Ukraine\u2019s energy infrastructure are directly undermining women\u2019s safety, according to the United Nations. <\/p>\n

\u201cThose energy blackouts, they are not just technical disruptions,\u201d chief of Humanitarian Action Sofia Calltorp told reporters in Geneva. <\/p>\n

\u201cThey directly undermine women’s safety, protection and economic security.\u201d<\/p>\n

Families have been left without heating, electricity and reliable shelter amid brutal winter conditions, with 65 per cent of Ukraine\u2019s energy generation capacity according to the UN. <\/p>\n

Ms Calltorp explained that extended darkness, lack of street lighting and disrupted transport \u201cseverely restrict women’s mobility and increase exposure to harassment and accidents.\u201d<\/p>\n

UN Women reported that 2025 had been the deadliest year for women in Ukraine, with more than 5,000 killed and 14,000 since the start of the conflict in 2022. <\/p>\n

\"\"(AFP via Getty Images)<\/p>\n

Maira Butt21 February 2026 19:45<\/p>\n

<\/a>Ukraine condemns ‘blackmail’ after Hungary and Slovakia oil threats<\/p>\n

Ukraine\u2019s foreign ministry has issued a statement hitting out against \u201cblackmail\u201d by Hungary and Slovakia over oil passing through a Russian pipeline. <\/p>\n

Russian oil shipments to Hungary and Slovakia<\/a> have been interrupted since 27 January after Ukrainian officials said a Russian drone attack damaged the Druzhba pipeline, which carries Russian crude across Ukrainian territory and into Central Europe.<\/p>\n

Hungary threatened to block a \u20ac90bn loan until the flow of Russian oil through the Druzhba pipeline resumed, Hungary’s foreign minister said. <\/p>\n

It was followed by threats by Slovakia to cut electricity to Ukraine unless oil continued to flow through the passage. <\/p>\n

Ukraine condemned the \u201cultimatums\u201d and \u201cblackmail\u201d over the comments in a response on Saturday. <\/p>\n

Maira Butt21 February 2026 19:15<\/p>\n

<\/a>Zelensky awards Paris mayor with special medal for ‘comprehensive support of Ukraine’<\/p>\n

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky met with Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo and awarded her with the Order of Princess Olga, III class, for her support for Ukraine on Saturday. <\/p>\n

\u201cWe discussed diplomatic efforts to achieve a dignified peace, energy support, and the importance of Ukraine\u2019s recovery,\u201d Zelensky wrote on X. <\/p>\n

\u201cI awarded Anne Hidalgo the Order of Princess Olga, III class, and I am grateful to Madam Mayor for her comprehensive support of Ukrainians \u2013 including our athletes at the 2024 Olympic Games \u2013 as well as for advancing projects for Ukraine\u2019s recovery on the global stage.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hidalgo has visited Ukraine during wartime and hosted Zelensky during talks in France.<\/p>\n

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