Defending Nato’s eastern flank from Russia would cost Poland 24 times its current defence budget, minister warns – Europe live

The article reports on several European developments. Firstly, Poland estimates that defending NATO's eastern flank from Russia would cost €1.2 trillion, 24 times its current defense budget. Secondly, Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has requested the EU establish a fact-finding mission to inspect the Druzhba pipeline, citing escalating tensions with Ukraine and disruptions to oil transit affecting Hungary and Slovakia. Orbán assured the EU that Hungary would accept the mission's findings. Finally, Nordic countries are on high alert due to a potential threat against their energy infrastructure, allegedly linked to a foreign power. Authorities and police units are closely monitoring critical infrastructure in response to the reported threat.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban accused Ukraine of disrupting oil supplies to Hungary via the Druzhba pipeline, which has been halted since January 27th, allegedly due to Russian strikes. Orban claims Ukraine is deliberately delaying the pipeline's reopening, imposing an "oil blockade," and has stationed soldiers at key Hungarian energy facilities in response. Ukraine has not responded to the accusations, but has been attacking Russian oil facilities, including the Druzhba pipeline section in Russia. Hungary vetoed a €90bn EU loan to Ukraine over the dispute. The EU states that Hungary and Slovakia are not at risk of oil shortage, as alternative sources, including the Adria pipeline, can cover their needs.

On the eve of the fourth anniversary of the war, Russian attacks in Ukraine killed at least four people on Monday, February 23, 2026. Two deaths occurred in the Odesa region due to drone strikes targeting industrial, energy, and civilian infrastructure. In Zaporizhzhia, two more were killed during over 750 attacks on 44 settlements. A missile also struck Kharkiv's Kholodnogirsky district, with damage assessment underway. Both sides claim to have downed numerous drones. EU foreign ministers are meeting in Brussels to discuss a new loan for Kyiv and a 20th package of sanctions against Russia.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has stated that he believes Russian President Vladimir Putin has started World War III. In an interview with BBC, Zelensky expressed his differing view on the conflict compared to US President Donald Trump. He believes Putin's actions have already led to a global conflict and Ukraine is preventing it from escalating into a full-scale war. Zelensky attributes Russia's intentions to impose a different way of life on the world, which he sees as a threat. He also emphasized the need for reliable security guarantees from the US that are not dependent on individual presidents, citing the importance of institutional stability. The comments were made ahead of the fourth anniversary of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.

The article provides a numerical overview of the impact of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, four years after it began. It uses a series of photographs to illustrate the human cost of the war, showing funerals of soldiers, damage from Russian attacks in cities like Kharkiv, and Ukrainian servicemen on the front lines. The images also depict the destruction of infrastructure and the efforts to provide aid to civilians, such as the setup of emergency tents in Kyiv during winter. One photo shows a man planting sunflowers in his garden amongst the wreckage of war in a village near Kyiv. The article aims to quantify the wide-ranging effects of the conflict on Ukraine and its people.

On the eve of the fourth anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, EU support is faltering as Hungary threatens to block both a new package of sanctions against Russia and a €90 billion ($106 billion) financial aid package for Ukraine. Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who maintains close ties with Russia, has a history of delaying EU sanctions. Ukraine needs the aid package to fund its defense and essential needs, expecting the first installments this spring to avoid a budget crisis. Hungary cites disruptions to the Druzhba pipeline, which supplies Russian oil, as the reason for its opposition, despite Ukraine stating the damage was caused by a Russian attack and repairs are underway. The EU is attempting to resolve the situation, but Hungary's stance highlights the challenges of the bloc's consensus-based decision-making.

On February 23, 2026, the European Union sanctioned eight Russian individuals for human rights violations, including judges and penal colony heads involved in politically motivated sentences and inhumane treatment of prisoners. The sanctions include travel bans, asset freezes, and prohibitions on EU citizens providing funds. This action occurred as the EU failed to approve a broader 20th sanctions package against Russia and a $106 billion loan for Ukraine due to Hungary's veto. Hungary, considered the friendliest EU state to the Kremlin, blocked the measures, which required unanimous approval, citing Kyiv's alleged delays in restarting Russian oil flow via the Druzhba pipeline. Ukraine claims the pipeline was damaged by a Russian drone strike and repairs are underway.

EU diplomats are working to overcome Hungary's threat to derail a new package of sanctions against Russia. The diplomatic efforts took place at a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels on Monday, February 23, 2026. Hungary's Foreign Minister, Peter Szijjarto, has voiced opposition to the proposed sanctions, creating a challenge for the EU to maintain a united front against Russia. The specific reasons for Hungary's opposition were not detailed in this summary. The EU is attempting to find a solution that will allow the sanctions to proceed despite Hungary's concerns.

In the days leading up to the fourth anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion, Russia launched a large-scale missile and drone attack across Ukraine, targeting energy, logistics, and water infrastructure. Ukraine's President Zelenskyy reported nearly 50 missiles and 297 drones were launched on Sunday, with a significant proportion intercepted. The attacks come amid stalled negotiations and escalating tensions between Ukraine and Hungary and Slovakia. Hungary is threatening to block a new round of EU sanctions against Russia, while Slovakia threatened to cut off electricity supplies to Ukraine, both demanding the resumption of Russian oil deliveries through the Druzhba pipeline. EU foreign ministers are meeting to discuss the sanctions package, hoping for approval to coincide with the invasion anniversary.

On February 22, 2026, Russia launched a large-scale attack on Ukraine, targeting the energy sector, residential buildings, and a railway. Ukrainian officials reported at least one death and numerous injuries, with the most intense attacks occurring in the Kyiv, Odesa, and Kharkiv regions. According to the Ukrainian Air Force, Moscow launched 50 missiles and 297 drones, most of which were intercepted. President Zelenskyy stated that Russia has launched over 1,300 drones, 1,400 aerial bombs, and 96 missiles against Ukraine in the past week alone, targeting multiple regions. Separately, in Lviv, a policewoman was killed and 25 injured by explosive devices; a Ukrainian woman was arrested in connection with the bombing.

On Sunday, just before the fourth anniversary of Russia's invasion, Russia launched a large-scale missile and drone attack targeting Ukrainian infrastructure. The attacks, which began around 4:00 am, impacted energy and rail infrastructure, as well as residential buildings across Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that Russia launched approximately 50 missiles and 300 drones. One man was killed and a dozen people were wounded, including four children, in and around Kyiv. Rescuers were seen searching through the debris of damaged buildings in the Kyiv region. Zelensky condemned the attacks, stating that Russia is prioritizing strikes over diplomacy.

In Lviv, Ukraine, a police officer was killed and 24 people were wounded by multiple homemade explosive devices that detonated around midnight on Sunday. The National Police reported that the explosions occurred after a patrol crew responded to a suspected shop break-in. A 23-year-old policewoman died, and twelve people remain hospitalized, with two in serious condition. A woman has been detained in connection with the incident, which Lviv's mayor described as a terrorist act. President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Russia of orchestrating the attack, claiming the perpetrators were recruited online.

A "terrorist attack" in Lviv, Ukraine, resulted in the death of a 23-year-old policewoman and injuries to 25 others early Sunday morning. Ukrainian authorities responded to a reported break-in when two explosions occurred, triggered by improvised explosive devices hidden in garbage bins. President Zelenskyy confirmed the detention of a 33-year-old woman from the Rivne region in connection with the attack, which occurred in the city center on Danylyshyn Street. Investigators allege the suspect acted under the direction of a "curator" linked to Russian special services and manufactured and planted the explosives. Interior Minister Klymenko stated there is reason to believe Russia ordered the attack, accusing them of targeting Ukrainian law enforcement.

On February 22, 2026, a deadly incident occurred in Lviv, Ukraine, involving two explosions. The explosions took place while Ukrainian police were responding to an emergency situation at a store. Authorities have classified the event as a "terrorist attack." One police officer was killed in the explosions, and over a dozen other individuals sustained injuries. The investigation is ongoing to determine the motives and identify those responsible for the attack.

Hungary is threatening to block the European Union's 20th round of sanctions against Russia, planned for discussion at the EU foreign ministers' meeting in Brussels on Monday. Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó stated that Hungary will not approve the sanctions package until Russian oil deliveries to Hungary resume via the Druzhba pipeline. Deliveries have been interrupted since January 27, reportedly due to damage from Russian drone attacks on the pipeline within Ukrainian territory. Hungary accuses Ukraine of deliberately withholding the oil shipments. Because the EU requires unanimous agreement from all 27 member nations for sanctions to pass, Hungary's opposition could stall the entire package, which the EU hopes to approve by the fourth anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine on Tuesday.

Hungary is threatening to veto a 90 billion-euro EU loan to Ukraine unless Russian oil shipments via the Druzhba pipeline resume. Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó claims Ukraine is intentionally halting oil transit to disrupt Hungary's fuel supply, accusing Kyiv of blackmail and violating EU agreements. The EU loan package, intended to support Ukraine's budgetary and military needs through 2027, requires unanimous approval. Ukraine's Foreign Ministry has rejected Hungary's demands as "ultimatums and blackmail," asserting that such actions threaten regional energy security. The Druzhba pipeline remains a key route for Russian oil to Central Europe, despite broader EU efforts to reduce reliance on Russian energy since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine.