Russians use song contests in Donetsk to militarize Ukrainian children, imposing a cult of war on them. Schoolchildren performed patriotic songs about the heroes of the "Great Patriotic War."
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrived in Slovakia, where he will meet with Prime Minister Robert Fico and President Peter Pellegrini. He will discuss US-Slovak relations, regional security, and nuclear energy.
At the Munich Security Conference, Kaja Kallas rejected the notion of a "declining Europe," emphasizing its resilience. She called Russia the main threat but noted that Russia is not a superpower.
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin stated that Moscow is ready to ensure no strikes in Ukraine on election day if Kyiv decides to hold elections.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy called the replacement of the head of the Russian delegation at the negotiations a surprise. He stated that the Russians want to postpone making a decision on ending the war.
Andriy Sybiha appealed to the G7 countries to increase energy assistance to Ukraine and strengthen its air defense. He noted that Ukraine needs about $15 billion to finance air defense.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban reacted to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's mention of his name. Orban stated that Ukraine cannot become a member of the European Union.
Andriy Kovalenko, head of the Center for Countering Disinformation of the National Security and Defense Council, stated that Russia will continue strikes on Ukraine's infrastructure in February 2026. The aggressor country does not intend to stop the war.
According to the President of Ukraine, Russian occupiers suffered tens of thousands of killed and wounded. In December, 35,000 occupiers were eliminated, and in January - about 30,000.
Alexei Navalny, who died two years ago in prison, was killed with a nerve agent. This was stated by the governments of Germany, Great Britain, Sweden, and the Netherlands.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Vladimir Putin consults with Peter and Catherine on territorial gains. The President noted that Putin considers himself a tsar, but is a slave to war.
President Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine is holding the European front. He emphasized that some politicians might think about personal interests rather than stopping Russian tanks.
Russians are trying to bypass Starlink terminal blocking by recruiting Ukrainians to register them. This creates national security risks, as it restores the Russian military's command and control system.
Moldovan President Maia Sandu stated that Russia is waging a cognitive war against the country, imposing the idea of the danger of a European choice. As a result of Moldova's rapprochement with the European Union, "the same thing will happen to it as to Ukraine."
President Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine will not lose in the confrontation with Russia, and the Trump administration understood this. He noted that one kilometer of occupied land costs Russia 170 casualties.
Slovakia and Hungary have reported disruptions in oil supply via the Druzhba pipeline. Hungary blames Ukraine, while Ukraine denies the accusations, citing Russian attacks.
Ukraine's representative to the IOC, Valeriy Borzov, commented on the situation with the disqualification of skeleton racer Heraskevych and the violations by the Italian snowboarder. He emphasized the need to change IOC rules.
Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski stated that Europe's financing of Ukraine's defense gives the continent the right to participate in peace negotiations. Europe has already spent over 200 billion euros to support Ukraine.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte stated that Russia is suffering heavy losses in Ukraine and is advancing at the pace of a garden snail. He called on NATO to continue supporting Ukraine and not to succumb to Russian propaganda.
The next round of negotiations involving Ukraine, the US, and Russia will take place in Geneva on February 17-18. The Russian delegation will be headed by Vladimir Medinsky.
The SBU detained a 24-year-old female contract soldier of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and her 25-year-old friend, who were part of an FSB agent network. They were preparing terrorist attacks with explosives in Kyiv and Zhytomyr, having set up an underground laboratory.
Donald Trump is not confident in the effectiveness of pressuring Russia and fears disrupting the negotiation process. Expert Stanislav Zhelikhovsky explained that Trump needs quick results for the elections, and sanctions do not provide an immediate effect.
Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov stated that his department will ensure "fair international observation" in the State Duma elections in September 2026 in the temporarily occupied territories of Donetsk, Luhansk, Crimea, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson regions. The goal is to create an illusion of legitimacy for the electoral processes in the Ukrainian territories seized by Russia.
Russia is blocking WhatsApp and other Western platforms to regain control over the information space. The Kremlin aims to transfer Russians to the state messenger Max.
Ukraine may be preparing to cede the Donetsk region, considering a referendum and elections to legitimize a compromise. Zelensky is ready to meet with Putin, but not in Moscow.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced the absence of firm answers from Russia regarding the proposed meeting next week. The Ukrainian negotiating group is constantly working, but Russia is still manipulating.
Children from the Kyiv football academy "Lokomotyv", whose base was destroyed by Russian shelling, presented a ball to FIFA President Gianni Infantino. They are asking for support for Ukrainian children and for Russia not to be reinstated in international football.
The SBU is countering Russia's attempts to recruit Ukrainians to register Starlink terminals used by Russians. This entails criminal liability for treason.
In 2025, the number of part-time workers in Russia increased by 12% to 5. 5 million people. The largest increase was recorded in manufacturing, hotel and restaurant business, and construction.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban urged not to send money to Ukraine, stating that "war harms business. " He also called German leader Friedrich Merz a "weak leader" without naming him.
