Vladimir Putin
Donald Trump stated that Ukraine and Russia are close to a deal, despite the personal animosity between Zelenskyy and Putin. He also mentioned significant soldier losses over the past month.
Rob Jetten, the prospective Prime Minister of the Netherlands, has announced a refusal to negotiate with Moscow and continued support for Ukraine. The new Dutch government has committed to providing annual military aid to Ukraine and supporting its path to EU and NATO membership.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed that Donald Trump appealed to Vladimir Putin with a request to refrain from striking Kyiv for a week, allegedly until February 1.
President Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine would cease strikes on Russia's energy infrastructure if Russia agrees to the week-long truce proposed by the US. The Kremlin has not yet confirmed its consent to cease attacks.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that he is ready for "any format" of a leaders' summit, but not in Moscow or Belarus. He invited Putin instead.
The idea of an energy truce between Ukraine and Russia was discussed in Abu Dhabi. Kyiv will support a cessation of strikes if Moscow does not attack Ukrainian facilities.
US President's Special Envoy Steve Witkoff reported significant progress in the peace process for Ukraine. Negotiations will continue, and the security protocol and prosperity framework are almost complete.
Ukrainian officials learned about Trump's request to Putin to stop shelling from the words of the US president. No signals were received from Russia, the ceasefire agreement has not been confirmed.
Donald Trump stated that he personally asked Vladimir Putin not to strike Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities for a week. Putin agreed to this request.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha briefed the EU Council on the situation at the front, emphasizing the need to reach 50,000 Russian losses per month. He called for full strategic autonomy for Europe and funding for the PURL program.
Last year, Russia's energy revenues decreased by 20% compared to 2024. This was due to increasing discounts on Russian oil and low global prices, which intensified pressure on the country's economy.
Ukraine could become significantly less dependent on American intelligence as Europe is ready to provide information. This would reduce the criticality of a halt in American aid.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that the territorial issue regarding "Donetsk" is a key obstacle to a peace agreement. This issue remains the only one being worked on to reconcile the parties' positions.
The Center for Countering Disinformation reports on new Russian history textbooks for 10th and 11th grades that justify the war against Ukraine. They present the aggression as a "forced step" to save the world from NATO.
Putin's aide Yuri Ushakov stated Russia's readiness to meet with Zelensky in Moscow if he is ready for negotiations. The Russian side guarantees security and conditions for work but demands preparedness and a focus on results.
In Paris, unknown individuals vandalized the Galerie L art gallery, where 22-year-old Elizaveta Krivonogikh, whom the media calls Putin's illegitimate daughter, works. Vandals damaged display windows and left anti-Russian slogans, including "F*ck Putin."
The administration of US President Donald Trump has displayed an official photo of his meeting with Vladimir Putin at the Anchorage summit in August 2025. This underscores the Trump administration's desire to establish direct contacts with the Kremlin.
Vilnius Airport suspended operations on January 27 due to suspected airspace violation by balloons from Belarus. This is not the first time the airport has been closed due to similar incidents.
The Russian Ministry of Defense announced the capture of Kupiansk-Vuzlovyi and Novoyakovlivka. The Ukrainian OSINT project DeepStateMapLive and the NSDC's Center for Countering Disinformation refuted these claims.
Deputy White House Press Secretary Anna Kelly denied the Financial Times article regarding the requirements for security guarantees for Ukraine. She called the information “completely false.”
According to ISW analysts, the Kremlin is resuming rhetoric on nuclear arms control. This is being done to pressure the US into pushing Ukraine for concessions in exchange for normalizing relations.
The Foreign Intelligence Service of Ukraine reported a new information attack by the Kremlin, aimed at intimidating Western countries with widely publicized samples of new weapons. Naryshkin's statements about successful missile tests are part of a disinformation strategy.
Relations between European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas are worse than with her predecessor Josep Borrell. Kallas complains about von der Leyen's dictatorial methods; her position is weakened by her background and limited political power.
Financial analysts predict the closure of up to 30% of small and medium-sized businesses in Russia due to VAT increases and restrictions on access to the simplified tax system. This is a consequence of the budget crisis caused by the war.
President Zelenskyy stated that Russia is using Belarus as a testing ground to blackmail Europe and the world. Russian "Shahed" operators are targeting Ukraine, including from Belarusian territory.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Lukashenka's white spitz has been granted more rights than the people of Belarus. He also emphasized that Belarus's dependence on Moscow has become more dangerous for everyone.
Russians have used dangerous chemical substances over 9,000 times in Ukraine. A protracted war could push the Kremlin to use more dangerous weapons.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and US President Donald Trump held talks, discussing the war in Ukraine and security in the Arctic. The leaders agreed on the need for a lasting ceasefire and support for Ukraine.
The US suggests that successful trilateral talks in Abu Dhabi could lead to a meeting between Zelenskyy and Putin. Before this, the parties are expected to meet in Kyiv or Moscow.
Russia sent Oleksandr Zorin, a GRU officer who recruited Syrian mercenaries for the Wagner PMC, to trilateral talks with Ukraine and the United States in Abu Dhabi. Zorin, who was born in Kharkiv, participated in negotiations regarding "Azovstal" and in Istanbul.