Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov Says Ukraine Is Providing Battlefield Data to Allies for AI Training

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What's Happening

Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov announced that Ukraine is providing access to its battlefield data for allies to train artificial intelligence software for drones. The statement came after Romania and Ukraine signed a joint defence production agreement. U.S. President Donald Trump stated that he had a positive call with Russian President Vladimir Putin regarding Ukraine and Iran, and a Kremlin envoy met with U.S. representatives in Florida earlier this week.

How We Got Here

In January 2024, Russia's Finance Ministry raised the value-added tax from 20% to 22%, stating that the extra revenue would be spent on defence and security, signaling a long-term financial commitment to the military operation in Ukraine. This early economic adjustment underscored the protracted nature of the conflict and Russia's preparedness to sustain its efforts through domestic fiscal measures. By late December 2025, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed openness to a compromise including a demilitarized zone in Donetsk, indicating a potential diplomatic shift amid ongoing fighting. Simultaneously, European military transfers to Ukraine grew by 67% and financial and humanitarian assistance by 59% during 2025, nearly compensating for a steep drop in U.S. transfers, as reported by the Kiel Institute, helping Ukraine sustain its defense against territorial concessions. In early 2026, the Russian military operation in Ukraine surpassed the duration of the Soviet Union's involvement in the Great Patriotic War against Nazi Germany, marking a grim milestone. Around the same time, Zelensky directed his negotiating team to organize a future leaders-level meeting in Geneva aimed at achieving a breakthrough on territorial issues, as stated by the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, setting the stage for intensified diplomatic efforts. On February 20, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán blocked the proposed 90-billion-euro EU loan to Ukraine, citing damage to the Druzhba pipeline that he claims affects EU energy security. The next day, Zelensky said Ukraine was working to ensure the next round of trilateral negotiations with U.S. and Russian representatives would be substantive and deliver results, and he asserted that Russian President Vladimir Putin had already started a Third World War, framing the conflict in global terms. Also on February 21, former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson called for the immediate deployment of UK and allied troops to non-combat roles in peaceful Ukrainian regions to influence Putin's thinking. On February 22, Zelensky said he hoped security guarantees would involve the U.S. Congress, arguing that institutions provide lasting assurance, while UK Defence Secretary John Healey announced that the UK and France would lead peacekeeping forces in Ukraine if a ceasefire agreement was reached. February 23 saw multiple critical developments. Dutch Defence Minister Ruben Brekelmans stated that Russian aggression threatens the entire European continent and that Russia's imperial ambitions extend beyond Ukraine. Ukrainian citizens and veterans expressed resistance to any peace agreement perceived as weak or untrustworthy, insisting on continuing to fight rather than cede territory. Zelensky rejected Russian demands that Kyiv abandon roughly 20% of Donetsk oblast and areas of Kherson and Zaporizhzhia, calling it an abandonment of hundreds of thousands of people. The European Union failed to reach an agreement on a new sanctions package against Russia and a large loan for Ukraine amid disputes over oil supplies, though ambassadors had consensus on text for a 20th sanctions package, stalled by Hungary and Slovakia. Russian President Vladimir Putin called for a large-scale buildup of military potential and the total militarization of society in a video address. Dutch Minister Brekelmans assured that the Netherlands would continue steady support for Kyiv with budgeted funds, while U.S. pressure increased on Ukraine to reach a deal, with President Donald Trump publicly insisting the war could end by spring 2026. Zelensky reported that Russians had offered Trump a $12 trillion economic package involving natural resources in territories controlled by Russia. On February 24, the UK announced a package of military, humanitarian, and reconstruction support for Ukraine. Russia's Foreign Intelligence Service alleged that the UK and France were preparing to arm Ukraine with nuclear weapons or a dirty bomb, a claim denied by French officials and UK officials who called it false. Dmitry Medvedev threatened that Russia would use any nuclear weapons against targets in Ukraine and supplier countries if such transfers occurred. The G7 leaders, including Trump, issued a joint statement reiterating unwavering support for Ukraine, its defense of sovereign territory, and its right to exist, the first such declaration since Trump's reelection. However, Trump had cut aid to Ukraine and sought a ceasefire at any cost, eroding Western unity, according to analysis. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said setting a specific date for Ukraine's EU accession was impossible, though she expressed support for the goal. Zelensky stated that Ukraine would not unilaterally withdraw from Donetsk, arguing it would violate the Constitution and give Russia a springboard for future attacks. Zelensky announced that the next Ukraine-U.S.-Russia trilateral meeting would most likely be held in Abu Dhabi in early March, aiming to finalize achievements for security guarantees. In late February, Ukraine's Foreign Ministry expressed support for U.S.-led strikes against Iran, asserting the regime in Tehran had every opportunity to prevent violence and citing Iran's supply of drones to Russia. Iran launched massed ballistic missile and kamikaze drone strikes on American bases and allies in the Middle East. Zelensky said it was just to give the Iranian people a chance to rid themselves of what he called a terrorist regime, noting Iran had provided Russia with over 57,000 Shahed drones. Kyrylo Budanov, chief of staff to Zelensky, stated that during the last Geneva talks, the Russian side indicated it would accept U.S. security guarantees for Ukraine, but Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov denied this, saying they had not even seen the guarantees. On March 1, the U.S. and Israel began a large-scale military campaign against Iran, killing Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Britain accepted a U.S. request to use British bases for defensive strikes against Iranian missiles, and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Ukrainian experts would assist Gulf nations in shooting down Iranian drones. Lebanon entered the war on Iran's side, carrying out missile strikes on northern Israel, and Israel responded with strikes on Hezbollah. In early March, Hungary summoned Ukraine's ambassador to protest the conscription of two ethnic Hungarian citizens, and Putin promised to release two Hungarian citizens who served in Ukraine's Armed Forces during a meeting with Hungary's foreign minister. Prisoner exchanges took place, with Ukraine returning 200 military personnel and Russia claiming an exchange of 300 service members for 300 Ukrainian POWs. Zelensky stated that the U.S. had asked for help against Iranian Shahed drones, and he ordered to provide necessary means and specialists. Negotiations were underway for the U.S. and at least one Gulf country to purchase Ukrainian drone-interceptor systems, according to a source. On March 12, Romania and Ukraine signed an agreement for joint defence production including drones, and Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov announced that Ukraine is providing access to its battlefield data for allies to train AI software, creating a platform to accelerate technological solutions for the conflict.

Timeline

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