ZeroFox Physical Security Intelligence Daily Brief - February 13, 2025

ZeroFox Physical Security Intelligence Daily Brief - February 13, 2025

ZeroFox physical security experts collect, curate, and analyze information derived from open and proprietary sources for comprehensive context of the circumstances surrounding global events. Here is today’s daily roundup of major developments.

Brief Highlights

• Trump Holds Talks with Putin, Zelensky
• Armenian Parliament Passes Bill Aimed at Starting EU Accession Talks
• Australia to Receive No Exemptions on U.S. Aluminum Tariffs

Trump Holds Talks with Putin, Zelensky

On February 12, 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump announced he had conducted a lengthy call with Russian President Vladimir Putin. According to President Trump, the two leaders discussed many key issues, including Russia's war in Ukraine, the Middle East, energy, artificial intelligence, the U.S. dollar, and other subjects. Most notably, the two leaders have reportedly agreed to begin peace negotiations for the conflict in Ukraine "immediately." Trump subsequently called Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to inform him of the conversation with Putin. Zelensky later posted on X, describing the call with Trump as a "meaningful conversation" and said the two leaders discussed their readiness to conduct negotiations.

Armenian Parliament Passes Bill Aimed at Starting EU Accession Talks

On February 12, 2025, the Armenian parliament adopted a bill in its first reading that would begin the process of joining the European Union. The bill must pass through two additional readings before it can be sent to Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan for signature. Local media reported that 63 members of parliament voted to approve the bill, while seven voted against it. However, 30 opposition members boycotted the vote. Opposition leaders stated that they feared passing the bill would anger Russia and jeopardize economic relations between the two countries. Armenia remains heavily dependent on Russian energy and trade, though it has attempted to distance itself politically from Russia in recent years.

Australia to Receive No Exemptions on U.S. Aluminum Tariffs

On February 12, 2025, the U.S. trade advisor stated Australia’s aluminum exports were “crushing” and “killing” America’s manufacturing industry, strongly signaling that there would be no exception to the 25 percent import duty Australia sought to escape. While former Prime Minister Scott Morrison had worked out a private deal in 2018 to limit aluminum exports in exchange for a tariff exemption, the current U.S. administration appears to believe those limits were not adhered to. In addition, there are likely no plans to grant exemptions, deviating from policy during the first Trump administration.