Ukraine to have a national day of unity on Wednesday


Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Monday declared that Wednesday will be a national day of unity.
Choosing Feb. 16 is no coincidence — several U.S. officials told Politico on Friday that intelligence seems to point at Russia launching an attack against Ukraine on that day. Zelensky's office released a decree calling on every town and village in Ukraine to fly the country's flag, with all residents singing the national anthem at 10 a.m.
Russia has an estimated 130,000 troops and heavy weaponry stationed around Ukraine's borders, and while Zelensky has said he does think Russia is being threatening, he does not believe an invasion is imminent. In a video address on Monday, Zelensky said: "They tell us Feb. 16 will be the day of the attack. We will make it a day of unity. They are trying to frighten us yet again naming a date for the start of military action. On that day, we will hang our national flags, wear yellow and blue banners, and show the whole world our unity."
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
On Sunday, U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan told CNN that Russia could invade Ukraine "any day now," and that "includes this coming week." Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Monday had U.S. embassy staff temporarily relocate from Kyiv to Lviv in western Ukraine, due to the "dramatic acceleration in the buildup of Russian forces." Pentagon spokesman John Kirby told reporters he didn't want to discuss any specific dates, because "I don't think that would be smart. I would just tell you that it is entirely possible that [Russian President Vladimir Putin] could move with little to no warning."
Russia has said it raised several security concerns it wants addressed by the West and NATO, and wants Ukraine to be permanently barred from joining NATO. The United States and its allies have warned of harsh sanctions if Russia invades Ukraine, and on Monday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told Putin during a televised exchange that there is still hope for diplomacy, and "it seems to me that our possibilities are far from exhausted."
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Catherine Garcia has worked as a senior writer at The Week since 2014. Her writing and reporting have appeared in Entertainment Weekly, The New York Times, Wirecutter, NBC News and "The Book of Jezebel," among others. She's a graduate of the University of Redlands and the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.
-
Japan poised to get first woman prime minister
Speed Read The ruling Liberal Democratic Party elected former Economic Security Minister Sanae Takaichi
-
Israel and Hamas meet on hostages, Trump’s plan
Speed Read Hamas accepted the general terms of Trump’s 20-point plan, including the release of all remaining hostages
-
US tipped to help Kyiv strike Russian energy sites
Speed Read Trump has approved providing Ukraine with intelligence for missile strikes on Russian energy infrastructure
-
Netanyahu agrees to Trump’s new Gaza peace plan
Speed Read At President Trump's meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, they agreed upon a plan to end Israel’s war in Gaza
-
Russia is ‘helping China’ prepare for an invasion of Taiwan
In the Spotlight Russia is reportedly allowing China access to military training
-
Moldova gives decisive win to pro-EU party
Speed Read The country is now on track to join the European Union within five years
-
Interpol arrests hundreds in Africa-wide sextortion crackdown
IN THE SPOTLIGHT A series of stings disrupts major cybercrime operations as law enforcement estimates millions in losses from schemes designed to prey on lonely users
-
UK, 3 Western allies recognize Palestinian state
Speed Read Britain, Canada, Australia and Portugal formally recognized the state of Palestine