Donald Trump

Donald Trump announces “great progress” in ending the war in Ukraine after Russia releases Mark Vogel.

Trump is considering closing US consulates in Europe, Canada, Mexico, and the Pacific Islands to save money. Most of the consulates that may be closed are in Germany and France.

The Japanese government has asked the United States to exempt Japanese companies from the new 25% tariffs on steel and aluminum. In 2024, Japan exported more than 480 billion yen worth of steel and non-ferrous metals to the United States.

The US President commented on Russia's release of American citizen Vogel. Trump expressed hope that this step could be the beginning of a relationship to end the war in Ukraine.

Donald Trump is planning to sign an executive order to significantly reduce the federal workforce and restrict hiring. Agencies will be able to hire only one employee for every four people laid off, except for law enforcement agencies.

US Special Envoy Steve Vitkoff has been authorized by Trump to negotiate with Russia over the war in Ukraine. Vitkoff has already held talks with Putin's associates and discussed the situation with representatives of the Persian Gulf states.

Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff will return from Russia with the released American teacher Mark Vogel. Vogel was sentenced to 14 years in prison for trying to import medical cannabis into Russia.

The Verkhovna Rada has passed a bill to complete the completion of Khmelnytsky NPP Units 3 and 4. This will generate an additional 2 gigawatts of electricity and eliminate electricity imports in winter.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced upcoming meetings with US representatives at various levels. The key topics include strengthening Ukraine's air defense and potential contracts to enhance defense capabilities.

Donald Trump announces that he is sending Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to Ukraine to meet with Zelenskiy. The visit is related to negotiations on US access to rare earth metals.

The date of Zelenskyy's meeting with Trump has not yet been set, but the teams are working to set it. The Ukrainian president emphasizes the importance of meeting with the American leader before his talks with Putin.

U. S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent will visit Kyiv to discuss access to Ukraine's rare earth metals. The visit will take place within the framework of a potential agreement on the exchange of resources for defense assistance.

Zelenskyy announced a strategic partnership with the United States on rare earth metals mining. The President emphasized that Ukraine does not give away resources but seeks joint development with its allies.

The President of Ukraine plans to offer Russia to exchange the territory of the Kursk region for part of Ukrainian land. Zelenskyy did not specify which territory of Ukraine he would ask for in exchange.

The President of Ukraine says that security guarantees without US participation are not genuine. Zelenskyy is ready to offer lucrative contracts to American companies to rebuild Ukraine to attract Trump's support.

U. S. Defense Secretary Pete Hagel will attend the Ramstein-NATO meeting in Brussels, but no announcements on new weapons for Ukraine are expected. It is worth noting that this is the first time that the UK, not the US, has convened the Ramstein meeting.

The US imposes new duties on steel imports, which will affect Ukrainian exports of steel products. The Ukrainian side is looking for a solution by March 12, when the 25% tariffs are to take effect.

Robert Fico asked Elon Musk to provide information about USAID funding of Slovak organizations and media. The prime minister believes that the funds were used for political purposes and offers a personal meeting with Musk.

Donald Trump has signed an executive order to return plastic straws to US government agencies. Earlier, Biden ordered to abandon plastic due to the environmental crisis.

Bitcoin added 1. 3% to reach $98,435 due to new US trade tariffs and expectations for inflation data. Most altcoins also rose, with Cardano leading the way with a 15.5% jump.

Brent and WTI oil prices rose by 1. 3% due to restrictions on Russian and Iranian oil supplies. New US duties on steel and aluminum could slow global economic growth and oil demand.

A private Gulfstream G650ER jet from Washington, D. C., lands at Moscow's Vnukovo airport. Social media suggests a connection to Trump's representative, Vitkoff, but the Kremlin denies it.

Ursula von der Leyen promised to introduce tough measures in response to the new US duties on European steel and aluminum. The European Commission intends to protect the economic interests of the EU, workers and consumers.

South Korea's Defense Ministry has announced large-scale military assistance to the DPRK from Russia. In exchange, North Korea may receive technologies for nuclear submarines and ballistic missiles.

The FBI has uncovered about 14,000 pages of classified documents about the 1963 assassination of President Kennedy. This was in response to Donald Trump's decree to declassify all case files.

Gold hit an all-time high of $2942 per ounce amid changes in US trade policy. The growth was driven by central bank purchases and investors' search for a safe haven.

The US President has signed a decree suspending the implementation of the 1977 anti-corruption law. The White House explains this by the need to make American companies more competitive in the international market.

Google started offering users the name “American Gulf” instead of the Gulf of Mexico after Trump's decree. The name change sparked a dispute between the US and Mexico, which refuses to recognize the new name.

Canada considers the new US tariffs on steel and aluminum unjustified and is preparing retaliatory measures. Minister Champagne announced a “clear and measured” response, while Chrystia Freeland called for a “dollar-for-dollar” response.

US Special Envoy Keith Kellogg will visit Kyiv on February 20 and attend the Munich Security Conference. Trump announced a conversation with Zelenskiy this week.