Morning Bird: According to Starmer, Europe must take responsibility. The Czechs encountered Russian saboteurs, the Germans lost their trail
At the meeting of Ukraine's European allies, representatives of the participating countries emphasized the need for European responsibility to resolve the situation. Russian saboteurs, according to the German press, crossed the country's border with the Czech Republic, about which their Czech secret services informed their German colleagues, but the Germans lost track. A protest against the Trump administration's policies took place in front of the winter vacation spot of US Vice President JD Vance. In Germany, police intervene against those dressed at nudist beaches
Great Britain and France intend to continue supporting Ukraine
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer stated that Europe must take responsibility for its own defense, as world leaders met in London to discuss cooperation in stopping the Russian war in Ukraine. Britain organized a Sunday summit to support Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky after a surprising row in the Oval Office with President Donald Trump, which left many uncertain about where the once solid allies stand.
Starmer stated that the UK, France, and Ukraine have agreed to work on a ceasefire plan to present to the United States. Starmer committed to providing more weapons for Ukraine's defense and announced that the UK would use 1.6 billion pounds (approximately 50 billion crowns) from export financing to supply 5,000 anti-aircraft missiles, AP agency reported.
Russian saboteurs reportedly made their way to Germany from the Czech Republic
A five-member group of Russian agents crossed the German border on February 16, traveling from Czech territory. The German secret services were informed by their Czech and North Macedonian colleagues, however, they failed to continue tracking them and the Russian agents were lost. One of them is said to have been trained by the special Russian units GRU
The German newspaper Bild published a snapshot from a notepad of the suspicious quintet. The photograph shows names, German mobile numbers and also places, including Liberec, ČTK reported about the event.
Protesters in the USA head to the vacation spot of Vice President Vance
Crowds of people protesting against Vice President JD Vance the day after a dispute in the Oval Office over Ukraine lined up on Saturday the roads near a ski resort in Vermont, where he planned a weekend vacation with his family. Many of the hundreds of protesters held signs supporting Ukraine, while others anti-war demonstrators waved Palestinian flags or held signs supporting immigrant rights. Protestors appeared in several locations in the area, including both sides of Route 100 in Waitsfield.
Although the demonstrations were planned several days in advance, they were energized by a sharp exchange of views in the Oval Office on Saturday morning, which took place a day earlier between Vance, President Donald Trump, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Vance criticized Zelensky for questioning Trump's claim that Russian President Vladimir Putin can be trusted, wrote AP agency.
Police in Germany intervene against clothed individuals on nudist beach
Beach guards in the German city of Rostock now have the power to issue bans to people in clothing on local beaches intended only for naturists. The new regulation was introduced because the city authorities "received numerous complaints from people who felt harassed in nudists (or naturist) areas," told CNN Moritz Naumann from Rostock Tourism, and it is to be used only in "case of conflict".
Etiquette is enforced at nude beaches, and it should be respected. The most common violations include staring, taking photos, and making unwelcome comments, according to the etiquette guides for nude beaches provided last year to CNN by experts, including Stéphane Deschênes, president of the International Naturist Federation.
Sources: CNN, AP, ČTK
