February 9, 2023 - Russia-Ukraine news

By Tara Subramaniam, Aditi Sangal, Leinz Vales, Adrienne Vogt and Matt Meyer, CNN

Updated 12:12 a.m. ET, February 10, 2023
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6:15 a.m. ET, February 9, 2023

Kremlin says possible transfer of UK fighter jets to Ukraine will escalate and prolong conflict

From CNN’s Anna Chernova

Typhoon fighter jets at RAF Coningsby in Linconshire, England, on December 9.
Typhoon fighter jets at RAF Coningsby in Linconshire, England, on December 9. (Joe Giddens/Getty Images)

Possible UK deliveries of fighter jets to Ukraine will not change the outcome of the war, but will only “escalate and prolong it and will make it more painful” for Ukraine, according to Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov.

During a surprise visit to the UK on Wednesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky made a plea for more heavy weaponry, including fighter jets.

And British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said that "nothing is off the table” when it comes to providing military equipment to Ukraine.

The development testifies to the “growing involvement of the UK, Germany, and France in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine," said Peskov on Thursday.

“We can only express regret and state that such actions lead to escalation, prolong the conflict, and make this conflict more painful for Ukraine,” he added.

“Fundamentally, these actions of countries will not change the outcome of the conflict and will not change the trajectory that our country is following in terms of achieving its goals within the framework of the special military operation.”

Interestingly, Zelensky took a different approach during a speech to the EU Parliament on Thursday.

The Ukrainian President focused on the values that Ukraine shares with Europe, but didn’t specifically ask for more weapons as he did in London on Wednesday.

6:00 a.m. ET, February 9, 2023

Russian forces step up attacks in Luhansk region

From CNN’s Vasco Cotovio and Yulia Kesaieva

Russian forces have intensified their offensive efforts in the Luhansk region over the past week, with a slight increase in operations near Kupyansk and Lyman, according to the Ukrainian General Staff.

In its latest update published Thursday, the General Staff said 25 settlements had come under artillery fire and Russian forces had carried out several air strikes in the area.

Some analysts have suggested Russia may be starting a new offensive in the Luhansk region, while adding that the movement was not yet significant.

The Institute for the Study of War said Russian forces were “gradually beginning an offensive” in the area, noting Russian operations had “increased markedly over the past week.”

However it added that Ukrainian forces had been able to prevent Moscow’s armies from securing significant gains. 

CNN teams on the ground noted that the tempo of attacks had increased slightly in the past few days, but it was “nowhere near the energy that could be described as an offensive.” 

Kupyansk and Lyman were seized early in Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, on February 28 and May 27 last year respectively.

They were then re-taken by Ukrainian forces during a counter offensive in September 2022.

5:53 a.m. ET, February 9, 2023

"For Ukraine, it's a way home": Zelensky pushes for EU membership

From CNN's Nic Roberston

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky speaks during an EU summit at the European Parliament in Brussels, Belgium, on February 9.
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky speaks during an EU summit at the European Parliament in Brussels, Belgium, on February 9. (Olivier Matthys/AP)

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has made a heartfelt appeal for his country to become part of the European Union during an address to EU lawmakers.

"This is our Europe, these are our rules, this is our way of life. And for Ukraine, it's a way home, a way to its home," Zelensky said, referencing Ukraine's aim to join the European Union. 

"I am here in order to defend our people's way home," he added. 

The Ukrainian President underlined that Ukraine shares values with Europe, rather than with Russia, which he said is trying to take Ukraine back in time.

It was an emotional message designed to try to connect with EU parliamentarians.

5:39 a.m. ET, February 9, 2023

Ukraine fighting Russian xenophobia, says Zelensky

From CNN's Jack Guy

Ukraine's president Volodymyr Zelensky delivers a speech at the start of a summit at EU parliament in Brussels, Belgium, on February 9.
Ukraine's president Volodymyr Zelensky delivers a speech at the start of a summit at EU parliament in Brussels, Belgium, on February 9. (Kenzo Tribouillard/AFP/Getty Images)

Ukrainian President Voloydymyr Zelensky has told European lawmakers that Russia wants to return Europe to the xenophobia of the 1930s and 1940s.

"The answer for us to that is no," he said. "We are defending ourselves. We must defend ourselves."

5:32 a.m. ET, February 9, 2023

Zelensky says Russia wants to destroy European way of life

From CNN's Jack Guy

Ukraine's president Volodymyr Zelensky delivers a speech at the EU parliament in Brussels, Belgium, on February 9.
Ukraine's president Volodymyr Zelensky delivers a speech at the EU parliament in Brussels, Belgium, on February 9. (Kenzo Tribouillard/AFP/Getty Images)

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is addressing the European Parliament in Brussels.

"I'm here in order to defend our people's way home," he told EU lawmakers.

Zelensky said Russia wants to destroy the Ukrainian and European way of life.

"We will not allow that," he said.

5:23 a.m. ET, February 9, 2023

"We have your back," EU official tells Zelensky

From CNN's Jack Guy

Ukraine's president Volodymyr Zelensky, left, poses next to European Parliament President Roberta Metsola as he arrives for a summit at EU parliament in Brussels, Belgium, on February 9.
Ukraine's president Volodymyr Zelensky, left, poses next to European Parliament President Roberta Metsola as he arrives for a summit at EU parliament in Brussels, Belgium, on February 9. (Kenzo Tribouillard/AFP/Getty Images)

European Parliament President Roberta Metsola has introduced Ukrainian President Voloydymyr Zelensky ahead of his address.

"We have your back," Metsola told Zelensky. "Freedom will prevail."

Zelensky received a standing ovation as he walked into the chamber of the European Parliament in Brussels on Thursday. 

"Ukraine is Europe and your nation's future is in the European Union," said Metsola at the beginning of an EU summit, as she stood next to Zelensky. 

"We will be with you for as long as it takes," she said. 

4:45 a.m. ET, February 9, 2023

No "red line" on fighter jet supplies to Ukraine, says Portuguese PM

From CNN’s Vasco Cotovio in London

Portugal's Prime Minister Antonio Costa answers journalists' questions as he arrives for a summit in Brussels, Belgium, on February 9.
Portugal's Prime Minister Antonio Costa answers journalists' questions as he arrives for a summit in Brussels, Belgium, on February 9. (John Thys/AFP/Getty Images)

Portuguese Prime Minister António Costa said his country did not have a red line when it came to providing fighter jets to Ukraine, but cautioned his country did not have the means to relinquish any of its own aircraft. 

“It’s not a red line,” Costa told journalists as he arrived in Brussels for a special European Council meeting on Thursday.

Portugal operates a total of 27 F-16 AM fighter jets but Costa says they are already tied to several NATO commitments.

“That’s an area where we simply don’t have the possibility [of giving to Ukraine], given that the means we have are all allocated to missions that we cannot do without," he said.

Costa went on to say Portugal had done its best to support Ukraine since the beginning of the war, highlighting the recent commitment to send three of its Leopard 2 tanks. 

He added that supplies to Ukraine had the ultimate goal of achieving peace, but only on Ukrainian terms. 

“Peace is our objective,” he said. “War is a means to achieve peace and this war, it should be reminded, was not started by Ukraine, Ukraine is the victim of war.

“The moment, the terms and conditions for peace can only be defined by Ukraine,” he added.

4:45 a.m. ET, February 9, 2023

Zelensky arrives at European Parliament

 From CNN's Radina Gigova and James Frater 

Ukraine's president Volodymyr Zelensky, left, shakes hands with European Parliament President Roberta Metsola as he arrives for a summit at EU parliament in Brussels, Belgium, on February 9.
Ukraine's president Volodymyr Zelensky, left, shakes hands with European Parliament President Roberta Metsola as he arrives for a summit at EU parliament in Brussels, Belgium, on February 9. (Kenzo Tribouillard/AFP/Getty Images)

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has arrived at the European Parliament in Brussels ahead of an EU summit on Thursday. 

He was greeted by European Parliament President Roberta Metsola. 

Zelensky is expected to address the EU Parliament later Thursday as part of a campaign to persuade the West to send more weapons and military support to counter an expected Russian spring offensive.

4:41 a.m. ET, February 9, 2023

Zelensky takes pitch for more military support to Brussels

From CNN's Jack Guy

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has arrived in Brussels, where he is expected to address the EU Parliament later today.

Zelensky arrived from Paris alongside French President Emmanuel Macron as part of an unannounced diplomatic tour of European capitals aimed at persuading the West to send more weapons and military support to counter an expected Russian spring offensive.

Zelensky made a surprise visit to the UK on Wednesday in only his second foreign trip since the Russian invasion of Ukraine nearly a year ago.

In a speech to British lawmakers, Zelensky repeated his consistent call for more heavy weaponry, including fighter jets.

In a poignant but carefully crafted move, Zelensky handed the Speaker of the House of Commons, Lindsay Hoyle, the helmet of a Ukrainian fighter pilot, signed with the message: “We have freedom. Give us wings to protect it.”

Earlier Wednesday, the UK announced it will begin training Ukrainian pilots on NATO-standard fighter jets, in what CNN understands would be the first official training program for Ukrainian pilots on Western fighter aircraft.

There was no mention of providing Ukraine with Western fighter aircraft that Zelensky has been calling for.

But British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak did say that “when it comes to the provision of military assistance to Ukraine, nothing is off the table” when asked whether the UK will provide fighter jets to Ukraine.