Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy hopes for peace to be achieved in less than a year. He emphasized that defeat in the war would mean the loss of Ukraine's independence.
Since the beginning of the day, 110 combat engagements have taken place at the front. The enemy used 3875 kamikaze drones and carried out 2995 shellings.
President Zelenskyy stated that Russia would need two years and 800,000 fallen soldiers to seize Donbas. He noted that freezing the war along the front line would be a concession from Ukraine.
Energy Minister Denys Shmyhal stated that the energy situation remains difficult, and the generation deficit is significant. There is a risk of worsening power outage schedules due to recent strikes and Russia's preparation for new attacks.
President Zelenskyy stated that Russia involved over 122 vessels managed by European owners in oil trade in 2025. He emphasized the need for more active European opposition to the Russian tanker fleet.
The International Criminal Court has received a request to arrest Russian officials for strikes on Ukraine's energy infrastructure. The request came from Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys.
In the first quarter, Ukraine will receive 140 million euros in loans and 21 million euros in grants from the EU for dual-use technologies. This funding is part of the systemic build-up of the country's defense capabilities.
President Zelenskyy reported on the Ukrainian delegation's briefing regarding the interim results of the trilateral negotiations in the UAE. Rustem Umerov, Kyrylo Budanov, and David Arakhamia participated in the meeting.
54. 2% of Ukrainians believe that the election campaign has de facto begun. Volodymyr Zelenskyy leads in the presidential rating with 22.3%, and Zaluzhnyi's party tops the party rating.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced an anticipated prisoner exchange. This step will allow the prisoners to return home.
Pope Leo XIV called for prayers for Ukrainians suffering from the consequences of attacks on energy infrastructure. He also expressed gratitude for the solidarity initiatives from Catholic dioceses in Poland and other countries.
On February 5, hourly power outage schedules and capacity restrictions will be in effect in all regions of Ukraine. This is a consequence of Russian attacks on energy facilities.
The Cabinet of Ministers has instructed the State Service for Food Safety and Consumer Protection to monitor the recalculation of utility payments. This applies to heating, water supply, and waste removal from January 1.
Ukrainians generally perceived the personnel reshuffles as an opportunity and a source of restrained hope, but not as a genuine system renewal, against the backdrop of fragmented trust, high disapproval ratings, and a sense of an early start to the election campaign.
The head of the Kryvyi Rih Defense Council, Oleksandr Vilkul, reported a ballistic missile attack on the city. Further missile launches are possible.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio believes that Ukraine has the potential to double its GDP over the next decade. This is possible with the right economic steps and the use of critical minerals.
The Prague District Court sentenced a tram driver to 200 hours of community service for a conflict with a Ukrainian couple. He must undergo re-education and pay 55,000 CZK in compensation.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that the Trump administration has made significant progress in negotiations between Ukraine and Russia. The list of unresolved issues has significantly decreased, but the most difficult ones remain.
The demographic situation in Russia is deteriorating, creating risks for the economy and stability. By 2040, the country could become a "society of elderly people," where the median resident will be a woman aged 50-55.
The US President believes that many positive results related to President Xi Jinping and the People's Republic of China will be achieved within the next three years.
Five individuals have been notified of suspicion of appropriating UAH 26. 9 million allocated to help people who survived the Russian occupation. Among the suspects are representatives of pseudo-charitable foundations, an entrepreneur, and a lawyer's assistant.
After the trilateral meeting in Abu Dhabi, negotiations continued in groups, and the Ukrainian delegation is preparing a report for the President. The Russian side was represented at a high military level.
In Vinnytsia region, a 31-year-old man drowned in the Dniester while trying to illegally cross the border. He crossed part of the river on ice, but could not withstand the low temperature and strong current.
According to a KIIS poll, 61% of Ukrainians trust President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, while 33% express distrust. The balance of trust-distrust is +28%.
The EU Council has approved a legal framework for providing Ukraine with financial support of 90 billion euros, with the exception of the Czech Republic, Hungary, and Slovakia. The funds will be directed to budget support and defense needs, and the first payment is expected in early Q2.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha stated that Russia is not winning the war, its economy is in recession, and combat losses are increasing. Ukraine, meanwhile, is intensifying its campaign of deep strikes against military targets on Russian territory.
An analysis by the German Federal Intelligence Service (BND) showed that Russia spent up to 66% more on military needs than officially stated. According to BND estimates, Russia's military spending last year amounted to about 250 billion euros, which is 10% of GDP.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that Russian troops are attacking facilities related to the military complex. Russia demands Ukraine's consent to the Kremlin's terms.
More than 60 ambassadors and representatives of foreign states inspected the Darnytsia TPP in Kyiv, which suffered massive attacks from Russia. Deputy Prime Minister Oleksiy Kuleba emphasized that the TPP is a critical civilian infrastructure object.
The spokeswoman for the Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council confirmed the completion of the first day of trilateral peace talks in Abu Dhabi. Negotiations involving Ukraine, the USA, and the Russian Federation will continue the next day.
