Vladimir Putin
The Russian army is increasingly relying on foreign fighters from Asia and Africa due to its inability to replace losses. Thousands of mercenaries from various countries are fighting for Russia, often under pressure and deception.
President Zelenskyy named three key steps for Donald Trump to stop Russian aggression. These are providing security guarantees to Ukraine, demanding Moscow to cease fire, and increasing support for Ukraine if Putin refuses.
California Governor Gavin Newsom stated in Munich that Trump's presidency is not a long-term norm for the US. He urged Europe to maintain stable cooperation with the United States.
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.
Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported that continuous Russian air strikes on the capital's critical infrastructure over two months have brought the city to the brink of disaster. 3.5 million residents are enduring the harshest winter since the start of the full-scale invasion.
Hillary Clinton criticized Trump's position on Ukraine, calling it disgraceful. She stated that attempts to force Kyiv to capitulate to Putin are shameful.
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.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Putin seeks to occupy the Donetsk region to present it as a victory to his society. Ukraine is not going to cede territories and will not withdraw troops.
UK Defence Secretary John Healey discussed with his Baltic and Northern European counterparts the possibility of confiscating oil tankers linked to Russia's shadow fleet. The goal is to tighten restrictions on Moscow's war economy.
President Zelenskyy stated that security guarantee agreements with the US and Europe are ready for signing. These agreements must precede any deal to end 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.
President Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine is ready for elections under the condition of a ceasefire. This requires a secure infrastructure and time for preparation.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Russian dictator Vladimir Putin wants a Munich of 1936, when “another Putin” began to divide Europe.
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.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi stated that his country is not a party directly involved in Russia's war against Ukraine. Beijing does not have a decisive influence on its end.
President Zelenskyy indicated that the Kremlin seeks to normalize relations and ease sanctions through negotiations. He called on the Trump administration to increase pressure on Russia.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine has made many compromises, including the fact that Putin and his entourage are not in prison. He noted that this is the biggest compromise the world has already made.
US Ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker said that China is providing crucial support to Russian aggression. He could end the war by calling Putin and stopping the sale of dual-use technologies.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that the biggest compromise is Kyiv's readiness to end the war, while Putin is still not in prison. He noted that Putin is in a difficult position and has "not much time."
Dictator Putin no longer requires prior quarantine for meetings, which had been in effect since 2020. This applies to ministers, heads of state-owned companies, and billionaires.
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.
A POLITICO poll showed that the majority of residents in France and Germany do not support sending peacekeepers to Ukraine. In Germany, 53% are against it, and in France, 43% do not support the deployment of troops.
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.
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.
For the first time since the Cold War, European countries are discussing the development of their own nuclear deterrence capabilities. This is due to a possible loss of confidence in the US nuclear umbrella.
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.
French President Emmanuel Macron does not intend to meet with Russian dictator Vladimir Putin in the coming days. Instead, he is focused on deepening cooperation within the European Union.
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 Zelenskyy accepted the US proposal to hold talks on ending the war, where the issue of territories will be discussed. International expert Stanislav Zhelikhovsky believes that Russia is not interested in a ceasefire and does not expect quick results.
Vladimir Putin signed a decree subordinating Rosgvardia to the General Staff of the Russian Federation, headed by Valery Gerasimov. This will strengthen Gerasimov's control over security forces, rewarding his loyalty.