Vladimir Putin
The Strategic Offensive Arms Treaty between Russia and the US expires on February 5, 2026. Moscow proposed to Washington to voluntarily adhere to the restrictions, but received no response.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized the need for China's participation in nuclear arms limitation talks. This is due to the significant growth of the country's nuclear arsenal.
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.
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.
Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping assessed relations between their countries as "exemplary" during their first direct talks this year. Bilateral trade has exceeded $200 billion for three consecutive years.
The leadership of "United Russia" has identified five key candidates for the party list for the 2026 State Duma elections. Among them are the head of "Yunarmia" Vladislav Golovin and war correspondent Yevgeny Poddubny.
Donald Trump's approach to peace talks between Ukraine and Russia could lead to an agreement that will not stop the war. This would create conditions for a new Russian invasion, The Telegraph notes.
Ukraine considers self-sufficiency as a "Plan B" for security guarantees, as it cannot fully rely on the promises of its allies. The country aims to create a powerful army and develop its own defense production.
Another round of talks on Ukraine, mediated by the US, is planned in Abu Dhabi. Experts hope that the results will show the seriousness of the Kremlin's intentions, despite renewed attacks on Ukraine.
According to the Institute for the Study of War, the Russian side is not making concessions and is not changing its demands for an end to the war in Ukraine. The Kremlin demands the withdrawal of the Armed Forces of Ukraine from all Russian-occupied territories and also wants Ukraine to remain under Russian influence.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer called recent Russian strikes on Ukraine's energy sector particularly brutal and insidious during a conversation with US President Donald Trump. He noted that the temperature had dropped below -20 °C.
US President Donald Trump said that the "energy truce" between Russia and Ukraine lasted from Sunday to Sunday and Putin kept his word.
US Senator Lindsey Graham urged Donald Trump to start supplying Ukraine with Tomahawk missiles after a massive Russian attack.
Today's massive Russian strike on Ukraine is a typical reaction to peace initiatives, said Fedir Venislavskyi. Russia is trying to impose unacceptable conditions, particularly regarding the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from Donbas.
The UN Security Council will hold a special meeting on February 24, 2026, to mark the fourth anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Great Britain will increase pressure on Russia and accelerate support for Ukraine.
The US Department of Justice has released millions of pages of documents from the Jeffrey Epstein investigation, detailing his connections with influential figures, including Steve Bannon and Elon Musk. These files have caused political uproar and led to the resignations of high-ranking officials in various countries.
A poll has shown that Ukrainians largely reject exchanging Donbas for guarantees, do not expect a quick end to the war, are ready to hold on for as long as it takes, support strikes on Russian territory, and at the same time maintain faith in Ukraine's EU membership.
Contacts between Putin and Putin and Zelenskyy are possible only in Moscow, said Putin's press secretary Dmitry Peskov. He also noted that the settlement is a complex process, where there are issues on which common ground has not yet been found.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot stated that all financial aid to Ukraine comes from Europe. He also noted that a significant part of intelligence and military support is also European.
Dmitry Medvedev called Donald Trump an effective leader who seeks peace, but noted that Russia has not detected American nuclear submarines off its coast. Trump seeks to go down in history as a peacemaker, and contacts with Americans have become more productive.
By 2026, Russia's energy revenues are projected to account for only 22% of its budget. The German government points to Russia's increasing economic difficulties and the depletion of its reserve fund.
According to Bild, the late financier Jeffrey Epstein may have brought women from Russia to the US for "honey traps" for politicians. The new "Epstein files" contain thousands of references related to Russia, including Putin's name.
Russia has begun reconstructing a Soviet-era garrison in Petrozavodsk, which, according to satellite imagery, may be used for a new 44th Army Corps. City authorities confirm the expansion of military presence as a Putin initiative.
German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius expressed skepticism about Putin's peaceful intentions, despite diplomatic efforts. He emphasized that massive shelling of Ukraine and attacks on infrastructure indicate the opposite.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that territorial issues cannot be resolved without a direct meeting with the Russian leader. Ukraine is open to negotiations involving Russia and the United States, and also counts on security guarantees.
The Russian economy is entering 2026 in a state of critical overstrain, forcing the Kremlin to plan cuts in military spending. This comes amid renewed diplomatic contacts mediated by the United States.
Russian State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin stated that the Russian parliamentary body demands a strike on Ukraine with 'retaliation weapons' starting next week. This phrasing was used by Hitler shortly before the capitulation of Nazi Germany in World War II.
A Gallup International poll shows that Ukrainians generally have a negative assessment of the leaders of the USA, China, and Russia. The attitude towards Trump is moderately negative, towards Xi Jinping it is predominantly negative, and towards Putin it is extremely negative.
The new START-3 treaty expires on February 5, which could lead to no limits on long-range nuclear arsenals. Putin proposed extending the treaty for a year, but Trump did not respond.
Special envoy of Russian President Vladimir Putin, Kirill Dmitriev, will visit Miami for meetings with members of US President Donald Trump's administration. This comes amid reports of a possible trilateral meeting involving Ukraine, the US, and Russia.