Midweek update. It’s Wednesday, February 19, 2025, and we’re bringing you the latest on defense and global affairs. Here’s what’s making headlines.
Denmark Boosts Military to Counter Russian Threat
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen announced that Denmark will launch a major military buildup to counter the growing threat from Russia.
While details remain undisclosed, reports suggest the government will allocate 50 billion kroner ($7 billion) for defense in 2025-2026.
Initially, the fund was considered for doubling, but supply shortages limited the scope.
Denmark aims to acquire key defense systems, including air defense, which it currently lacks.
Frederiksen emphasized the urgency of rearming, warning that Europe faces its most dangerous security situation since the Cold War.
She strongly opposed any rushed ceasefire in Ukraine, fearing it would allow Russia to regroup and pose further threats.
If confirmed, the new fund would push Denmark’s defense spending to 3 percent of GDP, exceeding NATO’s current target but still below the 5 percent demanded by US President Donald Trump.
Denmark has been a staunch supporter of Ukraine, providing over $7.5 billion in military aid since 2022.
UN Reports Deadly Fighting in South Sudan
The United Nations reported deadly clashes in northern South Sudan, where fighting between the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) and unidentified armed groups in Upper Nile state on February 14-15 resulted in civilian casualties and injuries to armed personnel.
A UN peacekeeper was also wounded during mortar shelling.
The conflict highlights ongoing instability in South Sudan, which gained independence in 2011 but continues to struggle with political infighting and violence.
UN Special Representative Nicholas Haysom condemned the violence and called for restraint, emphasizing the need for full deployment of South Sudan’s unified armed forces—a key condition of the 2018 peace deal.
The UN also warned of rising tensions in Western Equatoria, another region facing security challenges.
Despite the 2018 agreement to integrate armed forces under a unified command, implementation remains incomplete, adding to fears of further conflict ahead of delayed national elections.
Israel Holds Ground in Lebanon Past Truce Deadline
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz confirmed that Israeli troops remain stationed at five key positions in southern Lebanon beyond the withdrawal deadline set by a truce deal with Hezbollah.
Katz stated that the military would continue to operate forcefully against any ceasefire violations by the Iran-backed militant group.
While most Israeli forces have withdrawn from Lebanese border villages, Israel maintains a “buffer zone” to safeguard its northern communities.
The ceasefire, brokered by the US and France, required Hezbollah to retreat beyond the Litani River and Lebanon’s military to take control of the area alongside UN peacekeepers.
However, Katz insisted that Hezbollah must fully withdraw and disarm under international supervision before Israel considers a complete pullout.
A former Israeli military spokesman suggested that Israel’s withdrawal would only be finalized once Lebanon’s army is fully deployed and Hezbollah complies with the agreement.
Meanwhile, Israeli forces have been reinforced along the border, signaling ongoing tensions despite the truce.
Hamas Frees Six Israelis, Returns Bodies in Ceasefire Deal
Hamas has announced plans to release six living Israeli hostages on Saturday and return the bodies of four others on Thursday, accelerating the terms of the ongoing ceasefire deal.
Among the deceased are the Bibas family—two young boys and their mother—whose fate remains unconfirmed by Israel.
The release comes as Israel permits mobile homes and construction equipment into Gaza, a key Hamas demand.
As part of the truce, Israel will continue releasing hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, including some serving life sentences.
The ceasefire’s first phase is nearing completion, with negotiations for a second phase—focused on additional hostage releases, a potential lasting ceasefire, and an Israeli withdrawal—still pending.
Meanwhile, Israel has begun allowing rubble-clearing equipment into Gaza as part of reconstruction efforts, though estimates suggest rebuilding could cost $53.2 billion.
The ceasefire has paused fighting that has left over 48,000 Palestinians dead, but concerns remain that hostilities could resume if a new agreement is not reached.
Chinese Helicopter Buzzes Philippine Surveillance Plane
The Philippine Coast Guard condemned a Chinese Navy helicopter’s “dangerous” maneuvers after it flew within just three meters (10 feet) of a Philippine surveillance flight over the contested Scarborough Shoal.
The aircraft, carrying journalists, was observing Chinese vessels in the area when the helicopter aggressively closed in, with personnel aboard filming the encounter.
The Scarborough Shoal has been a hotspot of tensions since China seized it from the Philippines in 2012.
The incident follows a pattern of aggressive Chinese military actions in the South China Sea, including a recent confrontation with an Australian surveillance plane.
China claims almost the entire South China Sea despite a 2016 international ruling rejecting its claims.
The Philippines has been pushing back against Chinese incursions, strengthening military ties with the US and seeking to acquire the US Typhon missile system to bolster maritime defense.
Meanwhile, China has warned that such moves could provoke an arms race in the region.
Rubio, Lavrov Talk Ukraine Peace, Raise Sanctions Questions
US and Russian officials held their most significant high-level talks since Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, meeting for four hours in Saudi Arabia.
The discussions focused on diplomatic restoration, potential negotiations for ending the war, and broader US-Russia cooperation. However, controversy erupted when US President Donald Trump blamed Ukraine for the war, suggesting Kyiv should have made concessions to Russia before the invasion.
During the talks, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov agreed to reestablish embassy staffing and create teams to explore a negotiated peace settlement.
Russia, however, ruled out NATO involvement in any potential peacekeeping mission. Ukraine and European nations were excluded from the meeting, angering Kyiv, which postponed a planned visit to Saudi Arabia in protest.
There was also speculation about potential US concessions, including lifting sanctions imposed during the Biden administration.
Russian officials proposed joint energy ventures, while Rubio hinted that resolving the conflict could open opportunities for future US-Russia cooperation.
Despite diplomatic efforts, Trump’s stance and the exclusion of Ukraine from talks raised concerns that negotiations may be tilted in Russia’s favor.
Russia Pounds Odesa, Knocking Out Power and Heat
A large-scale Russian attack on Odesa has left much of the southwestern Ukrainian port city without electricity, water, or heating, according to Mayor Gennadiy Trukhanov.
The strike targeted a densely populated area, affecting over 500 homes and 14 schools, with at least one person hospitalized.
Russia has repeatedly targeted Ukraine’s energy infrastructure since the start of the war, aiming to cripple essential services.
This latest assault comes just one day after US and Russian officials agreed to begin negotiations on ending the war—talks that Ukraine criticized for its exclusion.
Sources: Al Jazeera, News Agencies
