**European Leaders Back Zelensky After Trump’s Accusations**
On February 19, a number of European leaders reaffirmed their support for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. This came after U.S. President Donald Trump accused him of being a “dictator” and making false claims about Ukraine.
**Germany Stands Up for Zelensky**
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz spoke out against Trump’s comments, saying that it was wrong to deny Zelensky’s democratic legitimacy. He added that Ukraine has been defending itself against Russia’s war of aggression for almost three years.
**Other European Leaders Back Zelensky**
French President Emmanuel Macron and U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer also expressed their support for Zelensky in phone calls. They noted that it was reasonable to suspend elections during wartime, just like the U.K. did during World War II.
**Russian Invasion Continues**
Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in 2022 and continues today. The conflict has resulted in over 1,190 Russian casualties just over the past day, according to recent reports.
**Sanctions Against Russia Remain Key Tool**
Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Olha Stefanishyna emphasized that sanctions against Russia remain a key tool for international pressure.
**Oil Prices Rise as Concerns Grow**
Concerns about supply disruptions in Russia and the U.S. have caused oil prices to rise, reaching near one-week highs on February 19.
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