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Italy: Xi gives "peace speech" on Ukraine on anniversary 

Chinese President Xi Jinping is to deliver a "peace speech" on the anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, February 24. This is according to Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, who met his Chinese colleague Wang Yi on Thursday, according to Reuters.  

Tajani says that during the meeting he urged Xi to use all means to convince Russia to sit down at the negotiating table to "guarantee Ukraine's independence and reach an end to the war." 

Wang will also participate in the international security conference that begins on Friday in Munich. 

Russian ship during a previous exercise. AP  

South Africa in major naval exercise with Russia and China 

In parallel with the western world's leaders gathering for a security conference in Munich, Russia, China and South Africa are conducting a large joint naval exercise in the Indian Ocean, several media reports. According to Russian media, the new Russian hypersonic robot Zirkon is to be test-fired during the exercise, a claim which, however, South Africa has denied, writes Sky News.  

South Africa's decision to host the exercise has drawn criticism at home and fueled Western concerns about increased Russian and Chinese influence in Africa.  

The South African Minister of Defense has defended the exercise by saying that South Africa, as an independent and sovereign state, has the right to pursue the foreign policy line it considers beneficial to the country. 

In November practiced the country with France. 

Russian frigate Amiral Gorshkov at dock in Cape Town Nardus Engelbrecht / AP  

Russia's ambitions in Africa 

"Russia wants to show that it has friends in the world"  

The large military exercise between South Africa, China and Russia is "a big PR coup" on the Russian side, says Görrel Espelund, associate editor at the foreign policy institute, to Ekot. 

- You show that you have friends out in the world and are not particularly isolated, she says. 

She says that South Africa has historically had close ties to Russia, as the Soviet Union at the time, unlike the United States, was considered a friend of the South African freedom movement.  

At the same time, Espelund points out that the exercise has received criticism internally in South Africa as it is considered to go against the country's non-aligned stance.  

German police outside the British embassy in Berlin. Michael Sohn / AP  

The spy alarm in Berlin  

British embassy guard was a spy for Russia - sentenced 

A former security guard at the British embassy in Berlin, David Ballantyne Smith, has been sentenced to just over 13 years in prison for spying on behalf of Russia, several media reports.  

The espionage has consisted, among other things, of Ballantyne Smith leaking secret documents, photographs and surveillance footage. He is also said to have handed over personal data about embassy employees.  

Ballantyne Smith has pleaded guilty to eight counts but defends himself by saying that he did not intentionally cause any harm, and that his actions were due to being depressed, Sky News writes.

Zelenskyy speaks before the conference in Munich. Michael Probst / AP 

The Russian invasion|The response of the outside world

Zelensky: Putin will not settle for Ukraine '  

It is clear that Vladimir Putin will not be satisfied with trying to subdue Ukraine, says President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in a speech to the security conference in Munich.  

- He will run the entire line [...] including all other states that at some point were part of the Soviet bloc. In the speech, which was given via video link, Zelenskyy again stressed the importance of prompt arms deliveries to Ukraine. 

While the West is negotiating tanks, the Kremlin is devising ways to "strangle" the former Soviet country of Moldova, according to the president. 

He added that he had wanted more support from the outside world before the invasion - "unfortunately I only heard that after Russian tanks and missiles had attacked us". 

Members of Parliament.Jean-Francois Badias / AP  

Russian invasionIOC's Russia decision  

The EU Parliament attacks the IOC: "A shame" 

The EU Parliament strongly condemns the International Olympic Committee's (IOC) plans to allow Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete in the Summer Olympics in Paris in 2024, TT reports.  

In a resolution adopted by a large majority on Friday, the decision is called "a disgrace to international sport".  

Russian and Belarusian athletes have been banned from most sports during the invasion, until the IOC last month opened the door for them to compete under a neutral flag in Paris. 

Kamala Harris lands in Munich ahead of the meeting. Michael Probst / AP 

The Russian invasion. The outside world's response  

Russia is missing as the West gathers for a security meeting  

When the annual international security conference in Munich begins on Friday, it will happen for the first time in 20 years without invited guests from Russia, Ekot reports. Nor is any representative from Iran invited. 

On the other hand, a large number of heads of state and government are participating from the Western world. Among other things, they will be able to listen to speeches from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj, who will speak via link. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba is present.  

From the Swedish side, in addition to Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson (M), foreign minister Tobias Billström (M), defense minister Pål Jonsson (M) and Carl-Oskar Bohlin (M), minister for civil defense, are also participating. During the conference, Kristersson will meet US Vice President Kamala Harris.