PRESS REVIEW – Monday, February 23, 2026: First, ahead of the four-year anniversary of the war in Ukraine, papers discuss Russia's war plans, and their new agents. Next, the Guardian takes a closer look at "El Mencho". Also, as the Olympics come to an end, Olympians are celebrated in papers around the world. Finally, the final candidates for European Tree of the year have been named! 

As we approach the four-year anniversary of the war in Ukraine, two long reads stand out. The New York Times looks at Russia's new strategy to carry out its shadow war in Europe. Ordinary European residents are being recruited to serve as intermediaries between Russian intelligence services and their personal network of petty criminals. The Guardian has another interesting long read. It discusses "how the CIA and MI6 got hold of Putin's Ukraine plans and nobody believed them”.

Meanwhile, the Mexican army has killed the leader of one of the country's most powerful drug cartels, and while there is not much information about him, the Guardian has published a profile of him. Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, aka "El Mencho", was the co-founder and leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, a powerful criminal organisation known for its aggressivity and violence.

The 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina came to an end on Sunday and the Italian front pages are celebrating their Olympics. Aujourd'hui en France celebrates the French biathlon team who took home 13 medals. The New York Times takes a closer look at the medal table, where Norway finished top with 18 gold medals. Finally, the Atlantic highlights some of the most creative photos of the Olympics.  

Finally, the Olympics may have finished, but there is a new competition to look out for, as the BBC reports: the 2026 European Tree of the Year competition! 

You can catch our press review every morning on France 24 at 7:20am and 9:20am (Paris time), from Monday to Friday.