**Russian Court Issues First Prison Sentence Under LGBT Extremism Law**
A court in Kemerovo Oblast, Russia has handed down the country’s first prison sentence under a law banning “international LGBT movement”. The individual was convicted of “LGBT extremism” and sentenced to 15 years in prison.
The person had been serving a prior prison sentence. Authorities accused them of involving Russian citizens in the banned movement while they were behind bars. This is the first time someone has been given a prison sentence under this law.
In January, a woman was fined for wearing earrings with a rainbow design, which is considered a symbol of LGBT pride. Another person was also fined for posting a picture of an LGBT flag online.
**Belarus Uses Ukrainian Materials to Export Oil**
A Belarusian company, Agroproduct, has been using raw materials from Russian-occupied Ukraine to produce rapeseed oil. The oil is then exported to the European Union.
**Oil Prices Remain High Due to Concerns Over Disruptions**
Oil prices remained near a one-week high on February 19 as concerns over supply disruptions in Russia and the US continued to drive the market.
**Ukraine Reacts to Trump’s Comments**
US President Donald Trump has made several comments about Ukraine, claiming that they started Russia’s war and that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has a 4% approval rating. Actual Ukrainians have reacted with surprise and frustration to these claims.
**International Community Speaks Out Against Trump’s Words**
US Vice President JD Vance and Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda have both spoken out against Trump’s comments, calling for support and action in favor of Ukraine.
**Russian President Putin Claims Russian Forces Crossed into Ukrainian Territory**
President Vladimir Putin has claimed that Russian forces crossed into Ukrainian territory from Kursk Oblast. However, General Staff spokesperson Dmytro Lykhovyi has dismissed this as part of a disinformation campaign.
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