SOFREP Daily: Zelenskyy Marks War Anniversary, Russia Open to US Talks on Military Spending Cuts, Taiwan Probes Cable Break as Chinese Crew Intercepted

Good morning! It’s Tuesday, February 25, 2025. Here’s your essential briefing on defense and global affairs to keep you informed.

Zelenskyy Marks War Anniversary, Hails Ukraine’s Heroism

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy marked the third anniversary of Russia’s invasion by praising his country’s resilience, as European leaders arrived in Kyiv to show support.

The war has caused massive destruction, tens of thousands of deaths, and the displacement of millions.

However, Ukraine’s support from the West is now uncertain as US President Donald Trump’s return to the White House threatens continued military and financial aid.

The third anniversary of the beginning of the full-scale Russian invasion. Three years of absolute heroism by our people.

Eternal memory to all who stood up in defense of our state and our people, giving their lives so that Ukraine may live.

Eternal gratitude to the fallen… pic.twitter.com/YthE9Jjskt

— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) February 24, 2025

Russia remains emboldened, advancing in eastern Ukraine while rejecting any peace terms that involve surrendering occupied territories.

Meanwhile, the European Union imposed new sanctions on Russia, targeting oil tankers, financial institutions, and propaganda outlets.

Trump’s recent diplomatic engagement with Moscow, including a 90-minute call with Putin, has raised concerns in Kyiv and among European allies.

Zelenskyy is pushing for security guarantees to prevent Russia from rearming under a ceasefire, even offering to resign if it would help Ukraine gain NATO membership.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian forces continue drone attacks deep into Russian territory, hitting an oil refinery near Moscow.

NEW: Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the unprovoked full-scale invasion of Ukraine three years ago on February 24, 2022. Ukraine has not been defeated or destroyed but remains resilient and innovative in the face of this unjustified Russian aggression.

Putin launched… pic.twitter.com/oCMMJV3TzS

— Institute for the Study of War (@TheStudyofWar) February 25, 2025

As Trump questions NATO alliances and seeks a rapid peace deal, Ukrainian soldiers on the frontlines fear a rushed truce could cost them hard-fought ground.

UK Hits Putin’s Allies with Biggest Sanctions in Years

On the third anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the UK government announced its largest sanctions package in nearly three years, targeting over 100 individuals and entities supporting Russia’s war efforts.

The measures aim to disrupt Russia’s military supply chains, including suppliers from Central Asia, Turkey, Thailand, India, and China.

The sanctions also include North Korean officials accused of sending troops to aid Russia, as well as financial institutions and oligarchs backing the war.

Among those targeted is Kyrgyzstan-based OJSC Keremet Bank, along with 40 additional ships from Russia’s “shadow fleet,” bringing the total sanctioned vessels to 133.

Three years ago Putin started his barbaric full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

We will not relent in supporting Ukraine and turning the screws on the Kremlin.

Today I am announcing the largest UK sanctions package against Russia in years. pic.twitter.com/T5iHPyazyO

— David Lammy (@DavidLammy) February 24, 2025

The UK has now imposed sanctions on nearly 1,900 individuals and organizations linked to Putin since the war began.

The move comes as British Prime Minister Keir Starmer prepares to meet US President Donald Trump in Washington, hoping to secure territorial and security guarantees for Ukraine amid growing concerns that Trump’s push for negotiations with Russia could force Kyiv into an unfavorable deal.

Recent tensions between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy have deepened European fears that Washington may sideline Ukraine and embolden Putin.

Macron Warns Trump Against Ukraine’s Surrender

French President Emmanuel Macron, after a recent meeting with US President Donald Trump at the White House, warned that peace in Ukraine must not mean its surrender.

Despite concerns over a growing rift between the US and Europe, Macron expressed optimism about a possible path forward, including discussions on sending European peacekeepers to Ukraine with US security guarantees.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called for peace “this year” amid growing fears that Trump’s diplomatic overtures to Russia could weaken Western support for Kyiv.

At the United Nations, the US aligned with Russia in key votes, marking a shift in Washington’s stance.

Trump, who has hinted at resolving the conflict within weeks, also suggested Putin would accept European troops in Ukraine as part of a peace deal.

However, he insisted that Europe must take on a larger share of Ukraine’s financial and military support.

Putin, in a state TV interview, signaled openness to European participation in negotiations and labeled Zelensky a “toxic figure.”

‘Zelensky is becoming a toxic figure for the Ukrainian Armed forces, his orders are not dictated by military [interests] but on political considerations’ — Putin https://t.co/3j9mcBSs6d pic.twitter.com/gouB44Im0O

— RT (@RT_com) February 24, 2025

Both Trump and Putin are reportedly considering a meeting in Saudi Arabia.

With Trump distancing himself from Biden’s Ukraine policies and the US refraining from condemning Russian aggression at the UN, Washington appears to be pivoting toward a different approach to the war, leaving Europe anxious about future security commitments.

Russia Open to US Talks on Military Spending Cuts

Russian President Vladimir Putin voiced support for former US President Donald Trump’s proposal to cut defense budgets by 50 percent for Russia, the US, and potentially China.

In a televised interview, Putin called the idea “good” and expressed willingness to negotiate with Washington, though he acknowledged China’s decision would be its own.

Since launching its offensive in Ukraine in 2022, Russia has significantly increased military spending, fueling economic growth but also inflation.

❗️Good idea for both US and Russia to cut defense spending by 50% — Putin https://t.co/7TY302NXCd pic.twitter.com/tNMeobeXk5

— RT (@RT_com) February 24, 2025

Putin noted that defense and security spending in 2024 would account for 8.7 percent of Russia’s gross domestic product (GDP).

While he did not commit to immediate action, he emphasized openness to talks with the US on the matter.

Washington Seeks Stronger Defense Ties with Cambodia

A Senior US Army Commander, General Ronald Clark, met with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet on Monday to discuss expanding bilateral defense ties amid concerns over Cambodia’s Chinese-renovated Ream naval base.

The US fears the base, strategically located near the disputed South China Sea, could give China a stronger military foothold in the region.

During his two-day visit, Clark held talks with Cambodian Army Commander Mao Sophan, discussing military cooperation, including the potential revival of the joint Angkor Sentinel Exercise, which Cambodia halted in 2017.

Welcome Gen. Ronald P. Clark, Commanding General of 🇺🇸 @USARPAC to 🇰🇭. On Feb 24 Gen. Clark met with @Dr_Hunmanet_PM to discuss U.S-Cambodia bilateral defense relationship & explore ways to make America and the Indo-Pacific safer and more secure. pic.twitter.com/T7ELzpHTYx

— U.S. Embassy Cambodia (@USEmbPhnomPenh) February 25, 2025

Meanwhile, Hun Manet also met with a senior Chinese Communist Party official, reinforcing Cambodia’s deepening ties with Beijing.

China has heavily invested in Cambodia’s infrastructure and has funded the renovation of the Ream naval base since 2022.

While Cambodian leaders deny any foreign military exclusivity at the base, the presence of Chinese warships in December 2023 has raised alarms in Washington.

In response, the US made a symbolic move by sending a warship to Cambodia for the first time in eight years in December 2024.

Gen. Ronald P. Clark, @USARPAC Commanding General, met Cambodia’s top military leadership. Their meetings covered bilateral defense relations and mutual support for ongoing dialogue.#Organize @USAmbCambodia @USArmy @INDOPACOM pic.twitter.com/i1HA8OE1qL

— U.S. Army Pacific (@USARPAC) February 25, 2025

With both US and Chinese military ties in play, Washington remains watchful of Cambodia’s strategic positioning, adopting a “wait-and-see” approach regarding further developments at Ream.

Taiwan Probes Cable Break as Chinese Crew Intercepted

Taiwan detained a Chinese-crewed cargo ship, Hongtai, on Tuesday after an undersea telecoms cable was severed off the island, raising security concerns.

The ship, registered in Togo but operated by eight Chinese nationals with Chinese funding, was intercepted near Penghu, a strategic island group in the Taiwan Strait.

Authorities are investigating whether the breakage was intentional sabotage or an accident.

Taiwan, which fears China could target its communication infrastructure as part of a broader strategy to seize or blockade the island, has been monitoring suspicious vessels.

Taiwan detained a Togolese-registered cargo ship, the “Hong Tai,” with a Chinese crew, after a submarine communications cable linking Taiwan and the Penghu Islands was severed.

The ship was crewed by eight Chinese nationals & funded by “Chinese capital”. pic.twitter.com/LK4dBEoFRT

— Clash Report (@clashreport) February 25, 2025

The Hongtai incident follows a pattern of previous cable disruptions, some blamed on Chinese ships, as well as a growing number of unidentified vessels using “flags of convenience” to operate near Taiwanese waters.

With 14 international and 10 domestic undersea cables, Taiwan views these links as critical infrastructure.

The government has ordered Chunghwa Telecom to reroute communications for Penghu and is intensifying monitoring of ships suspected of tampering with subsea cables.

Senegal Strikes Peace Deal with Casamance Rebels

Senegal’s government and pro-independence rebels in Casamance have signed a significant agreement aimed at ending the four-decade-long conflict in the region.

Senegalese Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko signed the deal in Bissau on Sunday after talks mediated by Guinea-Bissau President Umaro Sissoco Embalo.

This marks the first publicly acknowledged negotiations between Senegalese authorities and the separatist Movement of Democratic Forces of Casamance (MFDC) since the government took office in March last year.

The Casamance conflict, one of Africa’s longest-running insurgencies, began in 1982 and has led to thousands of deaths and economic devastation.

While violence has decreased in recent years, Senegalese authorities have been working to dismantle rebel bases and resettle displaced communities.

This latest agreement follows a 2022 accord brokered in Bissau with a rebel leader, Cesar Atoute Badiate. The new deal is seen as a major step toward securing lasting peace in the region.

Somali Pirates Flee Yemeni Boat After Five-Day Hijack

Suspected Somali pirates seized a Yemeni fishing boat, the Saytuun-2, off the Horn of Africa and operated it for five days before fleeing, authorities said Monday.

The pirates, who were armed and equipped with ladders, likely intended to use the vessel as a mothership to hijack larger ships.

They ultimately abandoned the boat after stealing the crew’s belongings, leaving the fishermen unharmed.

❗Operation ATALANTA confirms the release of the “SAYTUUN-2”, the Yemeni fishing boat hijacked off Garmaal, Northern coast of Puntland (Somalia).

Operation ATALANTA is fully committed to maritime security in its Area of Operations.

More ℹ️ and images: https://t.co/GatJ8fCEKp pic.twitter.com/bL2N1eEP31

— EUNAVFOR ATALANTA (@EUNAVFOR) February 24, 2025

The attack, which took place on February 17 near Eyl, Somalia, followed another recent pirate assault on a different Yemeni fishing boat, though both crews were safely recovered.

Somali piracy peaked in 2011, costing the global economy $7 billion that year, but international naval patrols and Somalia’s improving governance had largely curbed the threat.

However, piracy has resurged over the past year, partly due to instability caused by Yemen’s Houthi rebels attacking Red Sea shipping routes.

In 2024, there have been seven reported pirate attacks off Somalia, raising concerns that the region could see a return of large-scale maritime hijackings.

Israel Blocks EU Lawmakers Over Boycott Stance

Israel denied entry to two European Union lawmakers, Lynn Boylan and Rima Hassan, on Monday, citing their political stance on Israel and Palestine.

Interior Minister Moshe Arbel accused Hassan of promoting boycotts against Israel, though no reason was provided for Boylan’s ban.

The lawmakers, both members of the EU-Palestine delegation, were sent back to Europe after landing at Ben-Gurion Airport.

Their denial comes days after the EU Left group, of which they are members, called for the suspension of the EU-Israel Association Agreement due to the International Court of Justice’s probe into alleged crimes in Gaza.

Boylan, from Ireland’s Sinn Féin party, condemned Israel’s move as a disregard for international law.

Israel’s recent legislation restricts entry to non-citizens who deny Hamas’ October 7, 2023 attack, support international prosecution of Israeli soldiers, or back the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement.

The law has previously been used to bar pro-Palestinian activists.

Meanwhile, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar was in Brussels for the EU-Israel Association Council meeting, despite calls from Spain and Ireland to suspend the forum over Israel’s military actions in Gaza. Saar said Israel welcomes criticism, but not delegitimization or demonization.

Sources: News Agencies