German Chancellor Scholz will visit Washington in early February to meet with President Biden and discuss additional assistance to Ukraine. The U.S. has exhausted existing congressional authorizations for Ukraine aid and is seeking to join forces with Germany, Kyiv's main arms and aid supplier, to increase support.
Since the invasion, Taiwan has become the largest supplier of metalworking machines to Russia, delivering $29 million worth of equipment through Turkey, despite Taiwan's pro-Ukrainian stance. These machines are vital to Russia's military industry for the production of precision weapons, but sanctions do not restrict the export of most Taiwanese machines.
A jury has ordered former President Trump to pay author Elizabeth Jean Carroll $83. 3 million in damages and fines for defamatory comments about her rape allegations against him. Trump said he would appeal the "absolutely ridiculous" verdict.
A Houthi missile hit the Trafigura tanker carrying Russian fuel in the Red Sea, causing a fire on board. Warships were sent to help the vessel.
A charity event, the Ukrainian Benefit Gala, was held in Knoxville, USA, raising funds for Doctors Without Borders.