The Bulletin

• Putin open to EU peacekeepers in Ukraine: President Trump said Russian President Vladimir Putin would be open to having European peacekeepers deployed in Ukraine as part of a possible agreement to end Russia's ongoing conflict there. Here's what we know.

• Republican divisions are growing: Divisions are growing among the GOP, with an increasing number of holdouts who could prevent House Speaker Mike Johnson from clearing his budget plan on the House floor this week. Learn more.

• Pope Francis health: Pope Francis is continuing his recovery from pneumonia in hospital and has resumed some work, the Vatican announced Tuesday morning.

• UN vote: United States' opposition to a European-drafted United Nations resolution that condemned Moscow's full-scale invasion has sparked anger on both sides of the Atlantic. Know more.

• Closure of Social Security offices: Recent federal initiatives from President Trump have led to the closure of multiple Social Security offices, raising concerns about the accessibility of services for beneficiaries nationwide. Here's the list of Social Security offices that have been or are in the process of being closed by DOGE.

• Democratic strategist on Trump: The Trump administration will "collapse" within 30 days, according to veteran Democratic strategist James Carville. Read more.

The rundown: U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance sent shockwaves across Europe on February 14 when he used his speech at the Munich Security Conference to claim that free speech is "in retreat" across the continent. Experts weigh in on the implications of his remarks.

Why it matters: Vance argued that Europe's true threat comes from within, citing concerns over censorship and restrictions on free speech, such as arrests over social media posts and silent protests. Vance's remarks sparked backlash from German officials but ignited a broader debate. While some praised his intervention, others, including European legal scholars, accused him of spreading misinformation. The controversy also highlighted differences between U.S. and European free speech laws, particularly regarding hate speech and political expression.

Read more in-depth coverage:
Macron Was Right About the Future of Europe's Security—Is It Too Late?

TL/DR: The former Ohio senator argued that the biggest threat to Europe "is not Russia, it's not China" but rather what he said was its retreat "from some of its most fundamental values, values shared with the United States."

What happens now? As tensions over these issues rise, we may see more actions from both European governments and individuals who advocate for a broader interpretation of free speech. Rhoda E. Howard-Hassmann, a Canadian human rights expert who used to lecture at Wilfried Laurier University, was particularly outspoken, saying: "Freedom of speech is never absolute. Even the U.S. restricts it by, for example, libel laws."

Deeper reading Does Europe Have a Free Speech Problem?

The rundown: Elon Musk fumed on Monday evening—and issued a new ultimatum—after the U.S. Office of Personnel Management said government workers do not have to comply with an email demanding that they justify their jobs. More on his warning.

Why it matters: Musk raged on Monday evening, writing that "subject to the discretion of the President," workers would be "given another chance" to send over details about what they did last week. "Failure to respond a second time will result in termination," he wrote. Concerns ran particularly deep at agencies performing sensitive and often classified work, including the U.S. intelligence community, the Department of Defense, the State Department, the FBI and others. The heads of government agencies also gave conflicting guidance on whether to follow Musk's order.

Read more in-depth coverage:
Alina Habba Asked on TV What She Got Done Last Week Amid Email Controversy

TL/DR: The new threat came after Musk wrote on X that his "email request was utterly trivial, as the standard for passing the test was to type some words and press send!"

What happens now? The deadline for workers to respond to Musk's initial email expired at midnight Monday. It's unclear if agencies or the White House will enforce or act on the Tesla CEO's follow-up saying workers would get "another chance" to respond and be fired if they don't reply.

Deeper reading Musk Issues New Threat as Workers Told They Don't Have to Comply With Email

The rundown: Flyers revealing the names, photos and phone numbers of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents have appeared in a Southern California neighborhood. Find out more.

Why it matters: Multiple federal law enforcement sources told Fox News that anti-ICE activists disrupting ICE operations in Los Angeles have begun posting flyers with personal details of ICE and Homeland Security Investigations officers in the region. In Spanish, the posters roughly translate to read: "CAREFUL WITH THESE FACES." The group behind the posters remains unknown, but ICE officials say investigations remain ongoing. Meanwhile, in a separate incident, immigrant rights activists from the Community Self-Defense Coalition patrolled South Los Angeles looking out for ICE agents last week.

Read more in-depth coverage:
Judge Blocks Trump Policy Allowing ICE Operations in Some Houses of Worship

TL/DR: Immigration was a key element of President Donald Trump's 2024 campaign and helped Republicans sweep to power on a national level.

What happens now? ICE officials have vowed to continue their operations despite resistance from activists, while federal authorities investigate the individuals responsible for distributing the flyers. The Department of Homeland Security and the FBI have not indicated whether criminal charges will be pursued. However, Trump officials have suggested that interfering with law enforcement could lead to prosecution.

Deeper reading ICE Agents' Identities Exposed by Activists

The rundown: Russian President Vladimir Putin has issued a warning regarding Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky's future, saying that he has "absolutely no chance" of reelection, according to the Russian news outlet RT International. Read his full remarks.

Why it matters: In an interview with Russian propagandist and journalist Pavel Zarubin, Putin spoke about Zelensky's future in Ukrainian politics. He said that he has "no chance" of winning a fair election due to low approval ratings and the political circumstances within Ukraine. An expert, Olga Onuch, previously told Newsweek that any suggestion that Zelensky would not be reelected due to low approval ratings is "an attempt to manipulate facts on the ground." Potential Russian interference in Ukrainian politics could jeopardize Kyiv retaining territory and independence.

Read more in-depth coverage:
Russia Negotiation Plan Would Be 'Capitulation Document' for Ukraine: ISW

TL/DR: Putin said that Zelensky's chances of reelection are "equal to zero, unless, of course, something is grossly rigged, but this is also bad for him; it will be very noticeable."

What happens now? Trump announced that the U.S. and Ukraine could sign a minerals deal as soon as this week, as peace negotiations proceed.

Deeper reading Putin Issues Warning on Zelensky's Future: 'No Chance'

The rundown: Rare earth minerals have become crucial to almost every sector and the global economy at large, drawing significant attention to the countries that possess these vital resources. So, where can we find the world's key mineral deposits? Find out here.

Why it matters: These minerals, essential for technology and defense, possess unique properties like magnetic capabilities and electrical conductivity. As their value increases, access to them has become central to geopolitical tensions, such as the U.S. push for control over Ukraine's reserves in exchange for military aid. Despite their relative abundance, rare earth minerals are often found in dispersed, difficult-to-mine deposits. China is the leading global producer, with countries like Morocco, South Africa and Greenland holding significant reserves that are of growing geopolitical importance.

Read more in-depth coverage:
Putin Offers Trump Ukraine's Rare Minerals

TL/DR: Ukraine is also home to a number of critical mineral reserves, including lithium and titanium, a lightweight and corrosion-resistant metal employed in the construction of aircraft, surgical instruments and chemical processing equipment.

What happens now? Last week, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said his country was not ready to sign any agreement on this, as the proposal "is not ready to protect us, our interest." On Friday, however, Trump said that the U.S. and Ukraine were "pretty close to a deal" granting access to its rare earth minerals.

Deeper reading Map Reveals Where World's Rare Earth Minerals Are Located