| TRUMP AND ZELENSKY SPEAK: A day after President Donald Trump publicly ignored the fourth anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, and barely mentioned the war in his State of the Union address, the president resumed his pressure campaign to convince Volodymyr Zelensky he has little choice but to make a quick deal to end the war before things get worse. "I just spoke with @POTUS Donald Trump," Zelensky posted on X yesterday after a phone call with Trump, Steve Witkoff, and Jared Kushner. "I thanked them for all their work and for their active involvement in the negotiations and the efforts to end the war." In the 30-minute call, Trump told Zelensky he wants to see an end to the war "as soon as possible," Axios reported, citing "a Ukrainian official and two other sources with knowledge of the call." "Zelensky thanked Trump for all his help and said only Trump can get Putin to stop the war," according to the sourced Axios report. "Zelensky then said he hopes the war will finish this year, and Trump replied that the war has been going on for far too long and said he would like the war to end in a month." In his social media post, Zelensky said his representatives would meet with Witkoff and Kushner, who are in Geneva today for talks on Iran, to discuss the next steps, which he hoped "will make it possible to move forward to talks at the level of leaders." "President Trump supports this sequence of steps. Only in this way can all the difficult and sensitive issues be resolved and the war finally ended," Zelensky said. In Moscow, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov dismissed the suggestion that there could be a meeting between Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin anytime soon, telling a reporter, "What's the point of a top-level meeting if [Ukraine] keeps its current position?" ZELENSKY: RUSSIA 'PLAYING A GAME': In an interview with Fox News in Kyiv yesterday, Zelensky said he believes Russia is just playing for time. Putin, he said, "has chosen the polite way to speaking with Americans," because he is "playing a game to try to postpone any negotiations." In a report issued on Tuesday's anniversary of the invasion, the Institute for the Study of War wrote, "Four years later, Ukraine is nowhere close to defeat. Ukrainian forces — still outnumbered — thwarted the Russian advance on Kyiv in the first weeks of the invasion and continue to reclaim their territory." "Ukraine's successful counterattacks have led Russia to deflate its stated objective to Donetsk Oblast, a heavily fortified region of Ukraine which Russian forces have not been able to seize since 2014." In the Fox interview, Zelensky said — as he has repeatedly stated in other interviews — that Ukraine is ready to freeze the conflict along its current lines, but cannot accept a Russian demand for Ukraine to surrender territory that Russian forces have been unable to capture. RUBIO: TRUMP THE 'ONLY GLOBAL LEADER' WHO CAN END THE WAR: Speaking to reporters in St. Kitts yesterday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio rejected Zelensky's public complaints that President Trump is only pressuring him, not Putin, to make concessions for peace. "The administration has continued to increase pressure on Moscow. As an example, the President levied additional sanctions late last year on their oil company, on Rosneft," Rubio said. "The administration continues to sell weaponry to Ukraine. We don't sell weapons to Russia, and we don't sanction Ukraine." "The President values the fact that he is the only global leader that has any chance in the world of bringing these two sides together at a negotiating table. We're the only country or only entity on the planet that's been able to achieve having Russian negotiators and Ukrainian negotiators sit at a table and talk to one another," Rubio continued. "If we walk away or if we foreclose that, then who's going to do it? The United Nations isn't going to do it. France isn't going to do it. The EU isn't going to do it. The Russians won't even speak to them." "I think you've heard [the president] express, a deep frustration that this has not come to an end, because he sees it as a completely stupid and senseless war in which every single week 7-8,000 soldiers are being killed on the battlefield, numbers that would be staggering in the context of any other conflict in the world," Rubio said. "Do I believe the President's patience is infinite? I do not. But I am not going to forecast for you when that runs out or at what point he decides not to do it any longer. HOW UKRAINE WON THE BATTLE FOR KYIV Good Thursday morning and welcome to Jamie McIntyre's Daily on Defense, written and compiled by Washington Examiner National Security Senior Writer Jamie McIntyre (@jamiejmcintyre) and edited by Christopher Tremoglie. Email here with tips, suggestions, calendar items, and anything else. Sign up or read current and back issues at DailyonDefense.com. If signing up doesn't work, shoot us an email and we'll add you to our list. And be sure to follow me on Threads and/or on X @jamiejmcintyre. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP OR READ BACK ISSUES OF DAILY ON DEFENSE HAPPENING TODAY: IRAN TALKS TAKE ON NEW URGENCY: U.S. special Mideast envoy Steve Witkoff is meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Geneva as the clock is ticking on potential U.S. military action against Iran. It's the third round of indirect talks that are being facilitated under the auspices of Oman. Iran has said it's anxious to come to an agreement that would ensure it never develops a nuclear weapon, which President Trump referred to in his State of the Union address as the "secret words" that could lead to a deal. But Iran is resisting U.S. efforts to end enrichment of uranium or curtail its production of long-range missiles." "The negotiations [today] will be largely focused on the nuclear program, and we hope progress can be made because that's the President's preference: to make progress on the diplomatic front," Rubio told reporters in St. Kitts. "But it's also important to remember that Iran refuses – refuses – to talk about ballistic missiles to us or to anyone, and that's a big problem." "The other thing I would point you to, however, is that Iran possesses a very large number of ballistic missiles, particularly short-range ballistic missiles that threaten the United States and our bases in the region and our partners in the region, and all of our bases in the UAE, in Qatar, in Bahrain," he said. "They are trying to achieve intercontinental ballistic missiles. For example, you've seen them try to launch satellites into space. You've seen them increasing the range of the missiles they have now, and clearly they are headed in the pathway to one day being able to develop weapons that could reach the continental U.S." "I want you to understand and everyone should know that Iran poses a very grave threat to the United States and has for a very long time," Rubio said as he attempted to square the circle over Trump's claim that Iran nuclear program was "obliterated' last June, and Witkoff's statement in an appearance on Fox Sunday that Iran is "probably a week away from having industrial grade bomb making material." "First and foremost, after their nuclear program was obliterated, they were told not to try to restart it, and here they are. You can see them always trying to rebuild elements of it," Rubio said. "They're not enriching right now, but they're trying to get to the point where they ultimately can." VANCE SAYS HE HOPES IRANIANS TAKE NEW ROUND OF NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE US SERIOUSLY ANTHROPIC BACKLASH: As Pete Hegseth attempts to strong-arm Artificial Intelligence lab Anthropic into lifting restrictions on the future military use of its AI for battlefield applications, Democrats in Congress say Hegseth's threats to blacklist the company or to use the Defense Production Act to force compliance are problematic. Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei has so far refused to remove safeguards that would prevent its technology from being used to target weapons autonomously and conduct U.S. domestic surveillance. "Congress passed the DPA to mobilize the country's economic and industrial resources to respond to emergencies and protect our national security, not to give Donald Trump and Pete Hegseth tools to extort American companies that refuse to help the Pentagon to surveil Americans or build killer robots," said Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), ranking member of the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee, and Sen. Andy Kim (D-NJ), ranking member of the Subcommittee on National Security and International Trade and Finance in a joint statement. "If Secretary Hegseth weaponizes the DPA against American companies, he will shatter the bipartisan consensus in support of a strong DPA — weakening our hand in competition with China and our ability to ensure American competitiveness," the senators said. 'ELITE' PILOT ARRESTED: The Justice Department has announced the arrest of a former U.S. Air Force instructor pilot who has been charged with training Chinese military pilots, in violation of the Arms Export Control Act. Maj. Gerald Eddie Brown, Jr., also known by the call sign "Runner," 65, was described in a news release as "an elite fighter pilot" entrusted with "the defense of our nation," who now faces charges of "providing and conspiring to provide defense services to Chinese military pilots without authorization." "Gerald Brown, a former F-35 Lightning II instructor pilot with decades of experience flying U.S. military aircraft, allegedly betrayed his country by training Chinese pilots to fight against those he swore to protect," said Roman Rozhavsky, assistant director of the FBI's Counterintelligence and Espionage Division. "The Chinese government continues to exploit the expertise of current and former members of the U.S. armed forces to modernize China's military capabilities," he said. "This arrest serves as a warning that the FBI and our partners will stop at nothing to hold accountable anyone who collaborates with our adversaries to harm our service members and jeopardize our national security." CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER THE RUNDOWN: Washington Examiner: Vance says he hopes Iranians take new round of negotiations with the US seriously Washington Examiner: Trump's sparse comments on Iran at the State of the Union keeping everyone guessing Washington Examiner: Treasury sanctions entities enabling Iranian oil sales and ballistic missile production Washington Examiner: UK foreign office minister confirms Britain is 'pausing' passage of Chagos Islands deal into law Washington Examiner: Japan to deploy missiles to tiny island near Taiwan within the next five years Washington Examiner: Rubio says any future nuclear proliferation deals have 'to involve' China and Russia Washington Examiner: Republican governor opposes ICE plans to detain illegal immigrants in New Hampshire Washington Examiner: Cuba says boat carrying 10 armed Cubans opened fired in attempt to infiltrate island Washington Examiner: Florida calls for investigation after Cuba reports killing four on US boat Washington Examiner: Trump administration eases grip on oil shipments to Cuba Washington Examiner: Congressman who sounded alarm on Chinese companies buying American farmland took cash from them Washington Examiner: US blocking Venezuela from paying Maduro's drug defense, ex-dictator's lawyer says Washington Examiner: US military plane hits road barrier during Philippine training, injuring five personnel Washington Examiner: Homan compares Vatican walls to US border in rebuke of pope's deportation criticism Washington Examiner: DOJ barred from searching Washington Post reporter's seized devices Washington Examiner: Biden judge strikes down 'third country' deportations after Supreme Court approval Washington Examiner: Trump calls for 'deranged' Rashida Tlaib and Ilhan Omar to be 'institutionalized' after State of the Union Washington Examiner: Hegseth appeals ruling blocking punishment for Kelly over 'illegal' orders video Axios: Trump told Zelensky he wants to end war ASAP in call Fox News: Ukraine's Zelenskyy: Russia trying 'to play' game with Trump, stall peace talks The Telegraph: Allies bow to Putin over Ukraine peace troops The Telegraph: Trump warns Ukraine after Russia oil strikes impact US business Wall Street Journal: In a First, US Deploys Combat Jets to Israel for Potential Wartime Mission in Iran The National Interest: How China Is Hardening the Iran Target Before the American Attack Wall Street Journal: White House Says Iran Is Close to Weapons-Grade Nuclear Material. Experts Say No. Bloomberg: Pentagon Spends $12.6 Billion to Upgrade Surveillance of China's Subs, Satellites Axios: Pentagon takes first step toward blacklisting Anthropic AP: Iran would be outgunned in any war with the US but could still inflict considerable pain AP: Most Americans see Iran as an enemy but doubt Trump's judgment on military force, AP-NORC poll finds Defense One: USAF 'Woefully Behind' on Modernizing Mobility Aircraft, Airlift Commander Says The War Zone: General Running Air Force Reserve Wants Surplus F-15E Strike Eagles, New F-15EX Eagle IIs Air & Space Forces Magazine: F-47 Still 'Doing Exceptionally Well,' on Track for 2028 Flight Air & Space Forces Magazine: Coming Soon: Experimental CCA Ops, Flights with F-22s Air & Space Forces Magazine: Anduril CCA Switches AI Pilots Midflight Defense Scoop: Military Marketplace for Counter-Drone Tech Makes Its Debut Breaking Defense: Senate Poised to Reauthorize Key Small Business Fund Used by Pentagon NBC News: Frostbite and Frozen Weapons: How US Troops Train in the Arctic Air & Space Forces Magazine: Space Force Pauses Vulcan Missions amid Anomaly Investigation Air & Space Forces Magazine: Space Force in Final Test Phase for Second GBOSS Radar Upgrade Air & Space Forces Magazine: Revealed from Space: China's Biggest Red Sword Exercise and a Rapid Industrial Buildup Task & Purpose: Trump Awards Medals of Honor to Maduro Raid and Korean War Pilots Air & Space Forces Magazine: Equal Benefits for Equal Work: New Policy, Pending Bill, Aim to Close Gaps for Reservists Task & Purpose: Pentagon Issues Standards for Barracks That All Services Must Meet Air & Space Forces Magazine: CMSAF Wolfe's Formula for Building a Winning Teams THE CALENDAR: THURSDAY | FEBRUARY 26 8 a.m. 1800 Presidents St., Reston, Va.— Potomac Officers Club GovCon Executive Leadership Summit discussion: "Digital Warfighters: The New Power Players in Defense Tech" www.potomacofficersclub.com/events/2026-govcon-executive-leadership-summit/ 8 a.m. 11493 Sunset Hills Rd., Reston, Va.— Government Executive Media Group forum: "Cybersecurity Futures: Built on Zero Trust," with William Streilein, former principal staff at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Lincoln Laboratory and former inaugural chief technology officer, Defense Department Chief Digital and AI Office https://events.atarc.org/built-on-zt25/home/ 9 a.m. — Peterson Institute for International Economics virtual discussion: "Will Europe Ever Get its Defense Act Together?" with Cornelia Woll, professor of international political economy and president of the Hertie School, Berlin https://www.piie.com/events/2026/will-europe-ever-get-its-defense-act-together 9:30 a.m. G-50 Dirksen — Senate Armed Services Committee confirmation hearing on Mark Ditlevson to be assistant secretary of defense for homeland defense and hemispheric affairs; and Brian Birdwell to be an assistant secretary of defense for sustainment. http://www.armed-services.senate.gov 5:30 p.m. 2300 N St. NW — Aspen Institute book discussion: Statecraft 2.0: What America Needs to Lead in a Multipolar World, with author Dennis Ross, Washington Institute for Near East Policy fellow https://www.aspeninstitute.org/events/ FRIDAY | FEBRUARY 27 9:30 a.m. 1775 Massachusetts Ave., NW —Brookings Institution in-person and virtual discussion: "U.S. policy in a changing nuclear landscape," with Michael O'Hanlon, Philip H. Knight chair in Defense and Strategy, senior fellow and director, Talbott Center, Brookings; Sen. Jack Reed (D-RI), ranking member, Armed Services Committee; Suzanne Maloney, vice president and director, foreign policy, Brookings; Tom Wright, senior fellow, Talbott Center, Brookings; Andrew Yeo, SK-Korea Foundation Chair in Korea Studies and senior fellow, Brookings Center for Asia Policy Studies; Mara Karlin, visiting fellow, Talbott Center, Brookings; Bruce Jones, senior fellow, Talbott Center, Brookings; Caitlin Talmadge, nonresident senior fellow, Talbott Center, Brookings; and Melanie Sisson, senior fellow, Talbott Center, Brookings https://connect.brookings.edu/register-to-watch-us-nuclear-landscape 9:30 a.m. 775 Massachusetts Ave. NW — Brookings Institution discussion: "U.S. Policy in a Changing Nuclear Landscape, with Sen. Jack Reed (D-RI), Armed Services ranking member https://www.brookings.edu/events/us-policy-in-a-changing-nuclear-landscape ] 10 a.m. — National Institute for Deterrence Studies virtual seminar: "Nuclear Testing Explained: History, Risks, and the Road Ahead," with Henry Sokolski, executive director, Nonproliferation Policy Education Center; Don Cook, former deputy administrator for defense programs at the National Nuclear Security Administration; and James Petrosky, NIDS president https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event 1 p.m. 1400 L St. NW — Atlantic Council discussion: "Reporters at risk: Navigating Iran's internet blackout," with Holly Dagres, senior fellow, Washington Institute for Near East Policy Viterbi Program on Iran and U.S. Policy; Nate Swanson, resident senior fellow and director, Atlantic Council Iran Strategy Project, Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative, Rafik Hairi Center and Middle East Programs; Adrienne Arsht, executive vice chair, Atlantic Council Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security Adrienne Arsht National Security Resilience Initiative; and Andrew Peek, director, Atlantic Council Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security Adrienne Arsht National Security Resilience Initiative https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/event/reporters-at-risk-navigating-irans-internet-blackout/ TUESDAY | MARCH 3 226 Dirksen — Senate Judiciary Committee hearing: "Oversight of the Homeland Security Department," with testimony from Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem http://judiciary.senate.gov WEDNESDAY | MARCH 4 10 a.m. 2154 Rayburn — House Oversight and Government Reform Committee hearing: "Oversight of Fraud and Misuse of Federal Funds in Minnesota: Part II," with testimony from Gov. Tim Walz (D-MN) and Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison (D) http://oversight.house.gov THURSDAY | MARCH 12 6:30 a.m. 2425 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, Va. — Association of the U.S. Army "Coffee Series," with Brent Ingraham, assistant secretary of the Army for acquisition, logistics and technology https://www.ausa.org/events/coffee-series/ingraham | | | | "Everybody wants peace, and a lot of people are tired … but believe me, not everybody is ready ... to eat what Putin cooked for us." | | Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in an interview with Fox News senior foreign affairs correspondent Greg Palkot in Kyiv, Wednesday |
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