Former Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki criticized Donald Trump's threats to cut support for Iraq if he returns to power. Trump stated that Maliki would be a "very bad choice," adding that the country descended into chaos when he was in power.
Elon Musk reacted to the call of Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski to prevent Russians from using Starlink, calling him a "drooling imbecile. " Musk stated that Sikorski does not realize that Starlink is the basis of Ukraine's military communication.
Kyiv faces unstable electricity supply and risks to heating; critical facilities operate on generators, but residential areas are not guaranteed. The city receives assistance from international partners, but problems with infrastructure and winter preparations remain.
Ukraine and Poland have agreed on a phased increase in gas import capacity starting from February 2026. By the end of April, capacity will increase to 18.4 million cubic meters per day.
Ten Russian postal services, cooperating with operators from Germany and France, are part of a network through which sanctioned goods enter Russia. This was confirmed by Vladyslav Vlasiuk, the President of Ukraine's authorized representative for sanctions policy. Foreign components manufactured in 2024-2026 have been found in Russian Kh-101 missiles.
A powerful winter storm brought record precipitation and extreme temperature drops to Northern and Eastern Europe. Forecasters predict severe frosts over the next two weeks, which will create a critical load on energy systems.
The Ukrainian fish market is adapting to war, blackouts, and more expensive logistics. Consumption has not fallen, but some types of fish may become more expensive.
The State Border Guard Service announced the resumption of database operations at Polish checkpoints. A technical failure had occurred earlier.
A technical database failure occurred at Polish checkpoints with Lviv and Volyn regions. Specialists are working to eliminate the problems; trains will be processed more slowly.
Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić stated that the peace plan for Ukraine envisages its accession to the European Union on January 1, 2027. However, he noted that some EU member states, including Poland, the Czech Republic, Hungary, and Slovakia, would not agree to this.
President Zelenskyy met with the presidents of Lithuania and Poland in Vilnius. Energy support, strengthening air defense, Ukraine's accession to the EU, and diplomatic work were discussed.
Germany is facing cold weather and polluted air from Eastern Europe. A meteorologist predicts further pollution due to winds from the east and southeast.
In 2026, Ukraine ranked 20th in the global military power rating among 145 countries, according to Global Firepower. The rating takes into account over 60 indicators, including army size and economic potential.
Russia has intensified its attacks on energy infrastructure, other infrastructure, and residential buildings, using drones, aerial bombs, and missiles. Zelenskyy reported over 1,700 drones, 1,380 aerial bombs, and 69 missiles in a week.
International partners at the G7+ "Energy Ramstein" meeting confirmed their readiness to continue supporting Ukraine. Countries will provide over $400 million, almost €23 million, €23 million, €60 million, €10 million, and other aid packages.
Polish President Karol Nawrocki and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will meet in Lithuania on January 25. The meeting will take place as part of the 163rd anniversary of the January Uprising of 1863.
Polish farmers planned a strike on January 23 at the Dolhobyczów-Uhryniv checkpoint, but no lane blockages were recorded. About 30 people gathered near the border without official permits for the blockade.
IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva stated that Ukraine could become an "economic lion of Europe," but to do so, it needs to abandon electricity and heating subsidies. Expert Yuriy Korolchuk explained what this would mean for Ukrainians.
EU leaders, including German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, are gathering for an emergency summit on Greenland in Brussels. Merz expressed gratitude to Donald Trump for changing his stance on Greenland beforehand.
Ukraine received 50 tons of humanitarian aid from the Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland, Finland, Spain, and Norway. The aid includes transformers, generators, and other energy equipment.
On January 21, Polish military recorded increased activity of small unmanned aerial vehicles near the Polish-Belarusian border. This is regarded as hybrid actions by Belarus to destabilize security.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte stated that Russia's war against Ukraine remains Europe's key security concern. He called for not being distracted by other topics and to strengthen support for Kyiv.
Finnish President Alexander Stubb stated that Europe is capable of defending itself from attack. He cited Finland as an example of military potential and emphasized the importance of comprehensive security.
European countries are discussing the creation of alternative security formats, such as a "coalition of the willing," due to the weakening role of the United States. Ukraine, with its unique experience of modern warfare, is a key component of European security.
Polish farmers will block the Dołhobyczów-Uhryniv border crossing on January 23 from 11:00 AM to 3:30 PM Polish time. The protest action will last throughout the day.
Andriy Demchenko, spokesman for the State Border Guard Service, reported a significant decrease in passenger traffic at the state border after the holidays. Over the past day, 63,000 citizens crossed the border, which is lower than average.
The 2026 European Futsal Championship starts on January 21 and will be held in Lithuania, Latvia, and Slovenia. The Ukrainian national team has announced its final squad for the tournament.
European countries, including Norway, Germany, Poland, and the Baltic states, are actively preparing for a potential war with Russia by increasing defense budgets and strengthening infrastructure. Some states, like Norway, are considering the possibility of confiscating civilian property for defense needs.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen declared the inviolability of Greenland's and Denmark's sovereignty. She emphasized the strengthening of security measures in the Arctic and the EU's readiness to cooperate with the US.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk stated that the country's entry into international structures requires the government's consent and ratification by the Sejm. This applies to the invitation of the Polish president to Donald Trump's "Peace Council."
