U.S. President Donald Trump said Sunday that members of his administration are already in talks with Russian authorities about ending Moscow’s war on Ukraine.
“We will be speaking, and I think we’ll perhaps do something that’ll be significant,” Trump told reporters at the White House. “We want to end that war,” he said, referring to the conflict in Ukraine.
Trump did not specify which members of his administration were in talks with Russian officials or describe the nature of those conversations, only saying that “we are having discussions… already talking, yes.”
When asked whether he had personally spoken to Russian President Vladimir Putin over the phone, Trump told reporters: “I don’t want to say that.”
“We are having very serious discussions about that war. We’re trying to get it ended,” the U.S. president said.
Trump also repeated past claims that Russia would not have launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine had he been in office, claims that Putin repeated last month in an interview with Russian state media.
Earlier, Trump’s Ukraine envoy Keith Kellogg told Fox News that both Kyiv and Moscow would need to make concessions in talks to end the war.
“I think both sides will give a little bit,” Kellog said in an interview, suggesting that both Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Putin would “soften” their positions about territorial claims.
Russian forces occupy large swaths of land in eastern and southern Ukraine, and Moscow annexed the Crimean peninsula in 2014. Ukrainian troops, meanwhile, have controlled parts of Russia’s southwestern Kursk region since August.
On the campaign trail, before he won the U.S. presidential election in November, Trump boasted that he could end the war in Ukraine before taking office. However, the White House is now reportedly working on a “100-day peace plan” for bringing an end to the conflict.
Putin said last month that he was ready to meet with Trump to discuss the war in Ukraine, as well as other “areas of interest to both the U.S. and Russia.”
In a recent statement, former President Donald Trump revealed that the United States and Russia are engaged in ‘serious’ discussions regarding the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Trump, who has maintained close ties with Russian President Vladimir Putin, expressed optimism about the potential for a peaceful resolution to the war.
The conflict in Ukraine, which has been ongoing since 2014, has resulted in thousands of deaths and has caused significant tensions between Russia and Western countries. Trump’s announcement of discussions between the U.S. and Russia comes as a glimmer of hope for a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
While details of the discussions have not been disclosed, Trump’s statement indicates that both countries are actively working towards finding a solution to the conflict. The former President’s involvement in these discussions highlights his continued influence in international affairs, even after leaving office.
As the situation in Ukraine continues to escalate, the world will be watching closely to see how these discussions between the U.S. and Russia unfold. The potential for a peaceful resolution to the conflict remains uncertain, but Trump’s announcement signals a step in the right direction.
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Competing claims emerged over a deadly attack on a boarding school in Sudzha, a city in Russia’s Kursk region that has been under Ukrainian control for five months, with Ukraine and Russia accusing each other of carrying out the strike.
The General Staff of Ukraine’s Armed Forces said Saturday night that four people were killed and a further four seriously wounded in the strike, with 84 people rescued by Ukrainian servicemen from the rubble of the building. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Moscow had bombed the boarding school where civilians were sheltering and preparing to evacuate.
The General Staff said those in need of additional medical assistance were evacuated to medical facilities in Ukraine.
The Russian Ministry of Defense claimed in the early hours of Sunday that it was Ukrainian forces that had launched a missile strike on the school, saying that the missiles were launched from Ukraine’s Sumy region.
Meanwhile, the death toll from a Russian missile strike on an apartment block in the Ukrainian city of Poltava on Saturday rose to 14, including two children, local officials said Sunday. Seventeen people were injured in the attack on the five-story building, Ukraine’s State Emergency Service said.
Moscow sent 55 drones into Ukraine overnight into Sunday, Ukrainian officials said. According to Ukraine’s Air Force, 40 drones were destroyed during the overnight attacks. A further 13 drones were “lost”, likely having been electronically jammed.
Two people were wounded in a drone attack in the Kharkiv region, regional Gov. Oleh Syniehubov said Sunday.
In Russia, the Defense Ministry said that five Ukrainian drones were shot down overnight in five regions of western Russia: three over the Kursk region, and one each over the Belgorod and Bryansk regions.
A man was killed in a drone strike in the Belgorod region, regional Gov. Vyacheslav Gladkov said.
In a recent incident that has heightened tensions between Russia and Ukraine, both countries are trading blame over an attack on a boarding school in Russia’s Kursk region. The attack, which occurred on Tuesday morning, resulted in the death of several students and teachers, as well as the destruction of the school building.
Russian authorities have accused Ukrainian forces of carrying out the attack, citing evidence of missile fragments and other military equipment found at the scene. They have called the incident a “terrorist act” and have vowed to retaliate against those responsible.
Meanwhile, Ukraine has denied any involvement in the attack and has accused Russia of fabricating evidence to frame them. Ukrainian officials have called for an independent investigation into the incident and have called on the international community to condemn Russia’s actions.
The attack on the boarding school in the Kursk region has further escalated tensions between Russia and Ukraine, which have been at odds since the annexation of Crimea in 2014. The international community is closely monitoring the situation and calling for a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
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Russia, Ukraine, attack, boarding school, Kursk region, blame, conflict, international relations, Russia-Ukraine tensions, school violence, diplomatic tensions
President Volodymyr Zelensky says Moscow has bombed a boarding school in Ukrainian-occupied Russia where civilians were sheltering and preparing to evacuate.
The Ukrainian army said four people were killed and dozens – many of them elderly – were injured in the town of Sudzha in the Kursk region, which has been under Ukrainian control for five months.
More than 80 people are reported to have been rescued from the building.
The BBC has not been able to confirm Ukraine’s claim that it was a deliberate Russian attack using a guided aerial bomb. Moscow blamed Ukraine for the bombing.
Zelensky posted on X that the incident exposed Russia as “a state devoid of civility”.
“This is how Russia wages war – Sudzha, Kursk region, Russian territory, a boarding school with civilians preparing to evacuate,” he wrote.
“A Russian aerial bomb. They destroyed the building even though dozens of civilians were there.”
The Ukrainian army’s general staff posted on Telegram that four people had died and that 84 civilians were rescued, adding that “the strike was carried out on purpose”.
For its part, the Russian defence ministry said Ukraine carried out Saturday’s attack, which it described as a targeted missile strike.
Ukraine launched a lightning thrust into the Russian oblast of Kursk last August, taking Russian border guards by surprise.
The government in Kyiv made it clear at the time that it had no intention of holding on to the territory seized, merely to use it as a bargaining chip in future peace negotiations.
Zelensky likened Saturday’s strike to “how Russia waged war against Chechnya decades ago. They killed Syrians the same way. Russian bombs destroy Ukrainian homes the same way”.
In a tragic turn of events, Ukraine has reported that four people have been killed in a Russian strike on a school in Kursk. This devastating attack serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing conflict between the two countries and the toll it is taking on innocent civilians.
The victims of this senseless act of violence were simply trying to go about their daily lives when they were caught in the crossfire of this conflict. As the death toll continues to rise and the humanitarian crisis deepens, it is clear that the need for a peaceful resolution to the conflict is more urgent than ever.
Our thoughts are with the families of those who lost their lives in this attack, and we call for an immediate end to the violence in Ukraine. It is time for all parties involved to come to the table and find a diplomatic solution to this crisis before more innocent lives are lost. #PrayForUkraine #EndTheViolence
Ukraine and Russia have traded blame for a deadly missile strike that killed at least four people in the dormitory of a boarding school situated in a part of Russia’s Kursk region held by Ukrainian forces.
Some of the war’s fiercest battles in recent months have been taking place in the Kursk region that borders Ukraine, where Kyiv forces have held swathes of the land since staging a major cross-border incursion last August.
Ukraine’s armed forces said on the Telegram messaging app that Russia launched an aerial bomb from Russian territory that struck a boarding school in Sudzha, killing at least four. The boarding school housed people preparing for evacuation.
As of 10pm (2000 GMT) on Saturday, 84 people had been rescued or received medical assistance, the statement said. Four of the injured were in a serious condition. Rescue efforts to clear rubble were proceeding.
The Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, said the attack on Sudzha, about 7.5 miles (12km) from the border with Ukraine, showed how Russia fights the war.
“They destroyed the building even though dozens of civilians were there,” Zelenskyy wrote on X. “This is how Russia waged war against Chechnya decades ago. They killed Syrians the same way. Russian bombs destroy Ukrainian homes the same way.”
Russia’s defence ministry said early on Sunday on Telegram that Ukraine’s forces launched “a targeted missile strike on a boarding school in the city of Sudzha” from the territory of Ukraine.
Russia’s acting governor of the Kursk region, Alexander Khinshtein, also blamed Kyiv forces for the strike and said there was no reliable information yet about the number of potential victims.
A Ukrainian military spokesperson, Oleksiy Dmytrashkivskyi, had earlier said in a video posted on Facebook that nearly 100 people were under rubble at the site, which he said housed mostly elderly and infirm people.
Reuters was not able to verify the claims by either side independently, and the scope of the attack remained unclear.
Both sides deny targeting civilians in the war that Russia launched with its full-scale invasion in February 2022. Thousands of civilians, however, have been killed, the vast majority of them Ukrainian.
On October 14th, Ukraine and Russia found themselves at odds once again as a missile strike killed at least four people in a school in Kursk. Both countries have pointed fingers at each other, with Ukraine accusing Russia of orchestrating the attack and Russia denying any involvement.
The missile strike has further heightened tensions between the two neighboring countries, who have been embroiled in a long-standing conflict over territory and political influence. The casualties in the Kursk school tragedy have only added fuel to the fire, with both sides vowing to retaliate and seek justice for the victims.
As the international community watches with growing concern, the blame game between Ukraine and Russia shows no signs of abating. The tragic incident in Kursk serves as a stark reminder of the volatile nature of their relationship and the potential for further violence and bloodshed.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families of the victims and we can only hope for a swift resolution to this escalating crisis. Stay tuned for updates on this developing story. #Ukraine #Russia #Kursk #MissileStrike #Conflict #Tensions
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Ukraine, Russia, missile attack, Kursk school, blame game, international news, tragedy, conflict, geopolitical tensions, casualties, breaking news, Eastern Europe
Ukrainian special forces fighting in Russia’s western Kursk region have told the BBC they have not seen any North Korean troops there for the past three weeks.
A spokesman said it was likely they had pulled out after suffering heavy losses.
Last week, Western officials told the BBC that, out of some 11,000 troops sent from North Korea to fight for Russia, 1,000 had been killed in just three months.
North Korea and Russia have not commented.
On Friday, the Ukrainian special forces spokesman told the BBC he was only referring to areas in the Kursk region where his forces were fighting.
The spokesman did not say how long that front line was.
And while this is not the full picture, it does suggest significant North Korean casualties.
Separately, the New York Times also reported that the North Koreans had been pulled off the front lines.
The newspaper quoted US officials as saying the withdrawal may not be a permanent one, and the soldiers could return after receiving additional training or after the Russians come up with new ways of deploying them to avoid such heavy casualties.
Reports attributed to South Korean intelligence say the North Koreans are unprepared for the realities of modern warfare, and are especially vulnerable to being targeted by Ukrainian drones.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korea’s leader Kim Jong Un have in recent months deepened bilateral ties, signing a security and defence treaty.
Pyongyang’s assistance to Moscow now also extends to large amounts of ammunition and weapons.
Last August, elite Ukrainian troops launched a lightning offensive in Kursk, seizing more than 1,000 sq km (386 sq miles) of Russian territory.
Since then, Russian forces have managed to retake a sizeable chunk of that region.
Kyiv’s surprise incursion was aimed at changing the dynamics of the war.
It was initially hoped the operation would relieve pressure on other parts of the more than 1,000km-long (620 miles) frontline, particularly in eastern Ukraine.
Moscow is continuing its relentless – albeit slow – advance in the east, seizing a number of settlements in the Donetsk region in recent weeks.
Now Kyiv is looking to hold on to the land it occupies in Kursk as leverage for any possible ceasefire or peace negotiations with Moscow.
Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Ukraine’s defense ministry has reported that North Korean troops may have withdrawn from the front line after suffering heavy losses in recent clashes. The ministry stated that the North Korean soldiers had faced fierce resistance from Ukrainian forces, resulting in significant casualties on their side.
While there has been no official confirmation of the North Korean troop withdrawal, Ukraine’s defense ministry expressed optimism that the recent setbacks may have forced them to reconsider their strategy. The ministry emphasized that Ukrainian forces remain vigilant and prepared to defend their territory against any further incursions.
The news of a possible North Korean retreat comes as a welcome development for Ukraine, which has been locked in a tense standoff with the reclusive regime for months. However, the situation remains fluid, and Ukrainian officials are urging caution until more concrete information is available.
As tensions continue to simmer in the region, the international community is closely monitoring the situation and calling for a peaceful resolution to the conflict. The withdrawal of North Korean troops, if confirmed, could be a significant step towards de-escalating the crisis and preventing further bloodshed.
SUMY, UKRAINE – JANUARY 30: Rescuers clean rubble and conduct search and rescue operation at damaged … [+] residential building after Russian drone attack on January 30, 2025 in Sumy, Ukraine. Four people were died, 9 were injured, including an 8-year-old child. 5 people were hospitalized. Rescuers evacuated 118 people from the damaged building. (Photo by Kateryna Anokhina/ Cukr.city/Global Images Ukraine via Getty Images)
Global Images Ukraine via Getty Images
Dispatches from Ukraine. Day 1,073.
Sumy region. Rescue teams in this northeastern region have uncovered the bodies of nine civiliansfrom the rubble of a house hit by a Russian drone overnight on January 30. Thirteen others were wounded. The attack is one of the deadliest since mid-November, when a Russian ballistic missile struck residential areas, killing 10 and wounding more than 50 people.
Russian forces continue to advance on eastern front. Since concentrating its attacks in the Donetsk region over the past year, Russia has captured hundreds of square miles of territory. Despite immense casualties, Russia is seeking to overrun Pokrovsk, a road and rail hub considered the key to the region. If successful, Russian forces could cut off supplies to Ukraine’s troops in the region. Russian troops yesterday reportedly seized a village just 10 miles southwest of the city. Nonetheless, Ukrainian forces reportedly have recently regained several positions around Pokrovsk.
The U.S. has suspended all non-military aid to Ukraineas part of a broader 90-day review of foreign assistance programs initiated by President Donald Trump. The move aims to assess the effectiveness and alignment of U.S. foreign aid with American foreign policy. The halt affects a range of critical programs in Ukraine, including energy security initiatives, small business support and media grants, which amounted to more than $5.4 billion in 2024 alone. In 2023, the support amounted to $16 billion.
Despite the freeze, Ukraine’s government budget and macro-financial aid from the U.S., including $20 billion in loans from the World Bank, remain unaffected. Sectors such as energy and small business development, however, are now in limbo, with ongoing projects in jeopardy.
Diplomats within the U.S. State Department are already lobbying for exceptions to the suspension, particularly for programs deemed critical to Ukraine’s energy infrastructure and economic recovery. While there is hope that USAID projects might be reinstated following the audit, there are concerns that certain initiatives, especially those linked to democracy promotion and social policy, might be cut.
The EU is debating whether to restart Russian pipeline gas imports as part of a peace deal for Ukraine. Proponents argue that the resumption could reduce energy costs and encourage Moscow to negotiate, while Germany, Hungary and other EU capitals see it as a way to ease pressure on European industries struggling with energy prices. Germany’s GDP shrank by 0.2% for the second consecutive year, driven in part by high energy costs. In fact, energy in Europe costs three to four times more than in the U.S., putting additional strain on its industrial sector. Before the war, Russian gas made up 40% of the EU’s supply; today, it hovers around 10%, most of which flows through Turkey’s TurkStream pipeline.
The proposal, however, faces strong opposition from Brussels, Eastern European governments and U.S. liquefied natural gas (LNG) exporters, who worry that it could undermine efforts to secure long-term contracts. The European Commission has rejected any link between peace talks and gas transit, reaffirming its commitment to phasing out Russian fossil fuels by 2027.
The EU’s upcoming 16th sanctions package, prepared for the third anniversary of the war in Ukraine, will not include a complete ban on Russian LNG purchases. Meanwhile, Germany receives between 3% to 9.2% of its gas from Moscow delivered from other EU countries.
Sweden will provide Ukraine its largest military aid package yet. The $1.2 billionin additional support includes $530 million to bolster Ukraine’s domestic weapons production as Western stockpiles are depleted by prolonged war, and $250 million directed to international defense funds, including $180 million under Denmark’s model to strengthen Ukraine’s defense-industrial base.
The aid package is Sweden’s 18th since Russia’s 2022 invasion, following a landmark security agreement with Kyiv in May, 2024, in which Stockholm committed $6.5 billion in military support through 2026. In March, 2024, the country became a NATO member, marking the country’s shift from historical neutrality in response to growing security threats from Moscow.
The UK is set to provide Ukraine with a new $2.5 billion aid package, focused on bolstering air defense and localizing arms production, Defense Minister Rustem Umerov announced on Jan. 31. Under a historic 100-year partnership pact, the UK has pledged at least $3.6 billion in annual military aid for as long as it takes. Additionally, the Ministry of Finance reported Ukraine’s state budget received $3.8 billion in January, with the bulk coming from a loan funded by income derived from frozen Russian assets.
Ukraine’s demographic crisis continues to deepen, with the latest government data revealing that deaths outpaced births by nearly threefold in 2024. Ukraine’s Ministry of Justice recorded over 495,000 deaths against less than 177,000 births, a 5.7% decline in births from the previous year. While mortality fell marginally by 0.2%, the ongoing war, economic hardship, and mass emigration have exacerbated population decline. Ukraine’s Institute of Demography projections estimate the country’s population could shrink to 25 million by 2050, down from 35.8 million in mid-2024, with only 31.1 million residing in Kyiv-controlled territories.
This accelerating decline presents significant long-term challenges, from workforce shortages to economic stagnation. The birth rate has dropped to a critical 0.9 children per woman (third lowest globally), far below the 2.1 threshold needed for population replacement. Regions like Kherson and Donetsk, which are severely impacted by the war, face the starkest imbalances, with deaths surpassing births by up to 11 times.
By Danylo Nosov, Alan Sacks.
In this post, we will be discussing the latest news and information coming out of Ukraine.
1. Political situation: Ukraine has been facing ongoing political turmoil, with tensions rising between the government and opposition parties. The recent crackdown on protesters has sparked international outrage, with many calling for a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
2. Economy: The Ukrainian economy has been struggling in recent years, with high inflation and unemployment rates. The government has been working to implement reforms to stabilize the economy and attract foreign investment.
3. Conflict in the east: The conflict in eastern Ukraine between government forces and pro-Russian separatists continues to simmer, despite a ceasefire agreement being in place. The situation remains volatile, with sporadic outbreaks of violence reported in the region.
4. COVID-19: Like many countries around the world, Ukraine has been grappling with the COVID-19 pandemic. The government has been working to ramp up vaccination efforts and implement public health measures to curb the spread of the virus.
5. International relations: Ukraine continues to navigate its relationship with Russia, its powerful neighbor to the east. Tensions remain high between the two countries, with Ukraine seeking to balance its ties with the West and Russia.
Overall, the situation in Ukraine remains fluid and complex, with many challenges facing the country. Stay tuned for more updates on the latest news and information from Ukraine.
Russian attacks across Ukraine killed at least 9 civilians and injured at least 36 over the past day, regional authorities reported on Feb. 1.
In Poltava, at least four people were killed and 13 wounded due to a Russian missile strike on a residential building on the morning of Feb. 1, the State Emergency service reported. The toll could rise as a search and rescue operation is ongoing.
One man was killed and four people wounded in Kherson Oblast, Governor Oleksandr Prokudin reported. A 22-year-old man was killed after an explosive was dropped from a Russian drone, he added.
Three policemen were killed on duty overnight in Sumy Oblast in a Russian aviation strike on the Yunakivska community, Sumy Oblast Military administration reported.
A 60-year-old woman was killed and four people wounded in Kharkiv after the intercepted Russian drone fell on a residential area, said Governor Oleh Syniehubov. Two more people were wounded in a shelling in Kupiansk district of Kharkiv Oblast. In total, Russia launched 17 drones and six missiles at civilians and infrastructure, he added.
In Odesa, seven people were wounded after Russian forces a launched missile strike on the city’s historic center on the evening of Jan. 31.
Russian attacks in Donetsk Oblast injured three people, including two in Pokrovsk and one in Katerynivka, according to the Governor Vadym Filashkin.
Two people were wounded in attacks on Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, including a 47-year-old man and 79-year-old woman, said Governor Serhii Lysak.
One 57-year-old man was wounded in an overnight attack in Zaporizhzhia, according to the Governor Ivan Fedorov. Russia launched a total of 16 drones on the city, the Internal Affairs Ministry reported. The attack damaged 14 high-rise residential buildings and around 10 houses, he said in an interview.
Residential areas were hit in Kyiv and Khmelnytska oblasts, according to regional administrations. In Khmelnytska Oblast, eight drones were intercepted by air defense, said Governor Serhii Turin.
“Last night, Russia attacked our cities using various types of weapons: missiles, attack drones, and aerial bombs. Another terrorist crime,” President Volodymyr Zelensky wrote on Telegram in response to the attacks.
“Each such terrorist attack proves that we need more support in defending ourselves against Russian terror. Every air defense system, every anti-missile is a life-saver,” he added.
In the latest wave of violence, Russian attacks against Ukraine have left 9 dead and 36 injured over the past day. The ongoing conflict in eastern Ukraine shows no signs of easing, as both sides continue to engage in deadly clashes. The international community has condemned the Russian aggression and called for an immediate ceasefire to prevent further loss of life. Our thoughts are with the victims and their families during this difficult time. #Ukraine #Russia #Conflict #Ceasefire
Analysts at the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) suggest that Russian leader Vladimir Putin’s statements about the illegitimacy of the Ukrainian government and a possible future peace deal could become a tool to justify violating any agreements with Ukraine.
Quote: “Putin claimed that any peace agreement that Russia and Ukraine conclude before Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy rescinds his 2022 decree will be invalid. However, even if the Ukrainian side agrees to cancel this decree, Putin is likely to find new reasons to violate the agreements.”
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Details: ISW notes that the Kremlin is creating a legal basis for ignoring future agreements by manipulating false interpretations of Ukrainian law.
Putin has already stated that Zelenskyy has lost legitimacy by not holding elections in 2024 during martial law and that the Verkhovna Rada is allegedly the only legitimate branch of government. At the same time, he calls for unconstitutional actions that can be used to declare this body “illegitimate” to justify his demands for a complete regime change in Kyiv and his unwillingness to negotiate with the Ukrainian authorities.
Such statements give Putin room for manipulation, analysts say. Even if agreements are reached, Russia could quickly violate them, citing false accusations of invalid agreements or the illegitimacy of the Ukrainian government. The Kremlin has used similar tactics before, violating the Minsk agreements of 2014 and 2015.
Quote: “Even if Zelenskyy or other parts of the Ukrainian government agreed to lift the decree banning negotiations with Putin, Putin would likely violate any peace or other agreement that he reaches with Ukraine under the false justification that such agreements are ‘invalid’ as long as he believes that he can achieve his maximalist war aims through military operations.”
To quote the ISW’s Key Takeaways on 29 January:
Russian leader Vladimir Putin stated that Western military assistance remains vital to Ukraine’s ability to maintain its defence against Russian aggression.
Putin’s long-standing theory of victory relies on the assumption that the West will abandon Ukraine, and only unwavering Western support and consistent deliveries of Western military assistance to Kyiv can force Putin to abandon his theory and accept the need to offer the concessions necessary for any resolution to the conflict acceptable to the US, Europe, and Ukraine.
Putin indicated that he will not view any peace agreement with Ukraine as binding by claiming that the Ukrainian government is either unwilling or unable to rescind the 2022 Ukrainian presidential decree banning negotiations with Putin.
Putin’s statements rejecting the legitimacy of the Ukrainian government and of a possible future peace agreement set conditions for Russia to justify violating any future agreements with Ukraine.
Putin continues efforts to coerce US President Donald Trump into bilateral negotiations that exclude Ukraine, impose his desired negotiations framework on Trump, and compel Trump to inadvertently endorse ongoing Russian information operations about the illegitimacy of the current Ukrainian government.
Ukrainian forces conducted a drone strike at the Russian oil refinery in Kstovo, Nizhny Novgorod Oblast and reportedly hit a Russian arsenal in Tver Oblast on the night of 28-29 January.
The Russian Ministry of Defence (MoD) confirmed in a post on 29 January that Lieutenant General Alexander Sanchik is the commander of the Russian Southern Grouping of Forces.
Ukrainian forces recently advanced in Kursk Oblast and near Toretsk, and Russian forces recently advanced near the Lyman, Chasiv Yar, Toretsk, Pokrovsk, Kurakhove, Velyka Novosilka, Robotyne, and Dnipro fronts.
Volunteer recruitment rates in Moscow have dropped sharply, as Russian citizens grow increasingly unwilling to serve in Ukraine.
The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) recently released a report detailing how Russian President Vladimir Putin is creating conditions that would allow him to violate any future peace agreements with Ukraine.
According to the report, Putin has been ramping up military activities in eastern Ukraine and deploying additional troops to the region. This includes the recent buildup of Russian forces near the Ukrainian border, as well as ongoing military exercises in Crimea.
ISW warns that these actions are a clear indication that Putin is not interested in achieving a peaceful resolution to the conflict in Ukraine. Instead, he is laying the groundwork to potentially launch further military aggression in the future.
The report also highlights how Putin’s actions are undermining diplomatic efforts to end the conflict in eastern Ukraine. By creating conditions that could lead to a breakdown of any future peace agreements, he is effectively sabotaging international efforts to bring about a lasting solution to the crisis.
In light of these developments, ISW is calling for increased international pressure on Russia to cease its aggressive actions in Ukraine and to uphold its commitments to respect Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Failure to do so, the report warns, could have serious consequences for regional stability and security.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said late Tuesday that his country could hold peace talks with Ukraine, but still ruled out speaking directly with President Volodymyr Zelensky, whom he described as an “illegitimate” leader.
“If [Zelensky] wants to participate in the negotiations, I will send people to take part,” Putin said in comments to state TV journalist Pavel Zarubin, calling the Ukrainian leader “illegitimate” since his presidential term expired last year during martial law.
“If there is a desire to negotiate and find a compromise, let anyone lead the negotiations there… Naturally, we will strive for what suits us, what corresponds to our interests,” the Kremlin leader added.
Putin also claimed that fighting in Ukraine would end in two months or less if the West cut its support to Kyiv.
“They will not exist for a month if the money and, in a broad sense, the bullets run out. Everything would be over in a month and a half or two,” the Russian president said.
Zekensky later responded by saying that Putin was “afraid” of negotiations and was using “cynical tricks” to prolong the nearly three-year conflict.
“Today, Putin once again confirmed that he is afraid of negotiations, afraid of strong leaders, and does everything possible to prolong the war,” Zelensky wrote on X.
Since taking office last week, U.S. President Donald Trump has put pressure on both sides to end the war, threatening tougher sanctions on Russia while also claiming that Zelensky is ready to negotiate a “deal.”
Kyiv has warned against it being excluded from any peace talks between Moscow and Washington, accusing Putin of wanting to “manipulate” Trump.
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Russian President Vladimir Putin has stated that peace talks with Ukraine are possible, but not with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Putin’s comments come amidst ongoing tensions between Russia and Ukraine, with both sides accusing each other of escalating the conflict in eastern Ukraine.
In a recent press conference, Putin suggested that negotiations could take place with other Ukrainian officials, but not with Zelensky, whom he has criticized for being a “puppet” of Western powers. Putin’s remarks have further strained relations between the two countries, as Ukraine seeks to regain control of its territory and end the ongoing conflict in the Donbass region.
Despite the challenges, many are hopeful that a diplomatic solution can be reached to end the violence and bring peace to the region. However, the question remains whether both sides are willing to come to the table and find common ground for a lasting peace. Only time will tell if a resolution can be reached between Russia and Ukraine.
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Today’s agenda: Trump’s anti-green offensive; Meta sticks with big AI bet; an ‘Iron Dome for America’; lessons from Bill Gross; and has Mistral AI missed its moment?
Good morning. We start today with an exclusive story on the revival of the debate on reopening Russian gas pipelines as part of the Ukraine deal. Here’s what we know.
What are the key arguments for it? Advocates of buying Russian gas contend it would bring down high energy prices in Europe, encourage Moscow to the negotiating table, and give both sides a reason to implement and maintain a ceasefire. The EU’s stated target is to rid the bloc’s energy system of all Russian fossil fuels by 2027. But the dire straits of EU’s heavy industries have increased the need for cheaper energy, with gas costs in Europe typically three to four times higher than in the US.
What do opponents say? Raising the idea of reopening gas sales, which had been endorsed by some German and Hungarian officials, has already sparked a backlash among Ukraine’s closest EU allies, many of whom have spent the past three years working to reduce Russian energy imports into the bloc. Resuming exports to Europe would also significantly boost Moscow’s revenues. “It’s madness,” said an official. “How stupid could we be to even think about that as an option?” Read the full story.
Here’s what else we’re keeping tabs on today:
Economic data: The EU, France, Germany and the US publish fourth-quarter GDP estimates. The EU also has December unemployment data.
EU monetary policy: The European Central Bank is expected to cut its key interest rate by a quarter point. See our tracker of policy rates around the world.
Companies: Apple, Deutsche Bank, Glencore, Mastercard, Shell and Visa are among those reporting. See our Week Ahead newsletter for the full list.
Five more top stories
1. Exclusive: Donald Trump eliminated more than 70 climate and green energy initiatives in his first week of office, according to a Financial Times analysis of the new president’s executive orders. The sweeping move upended federal commitments and targets aimed at combating climate change, limiting oil and gas development and accelerating the clean energy buildout.
2. Exclusive: SoftBank is in talks to invest up to $25bn into OpenAI, a deal that would make it the biggest financial backer of the ChatGPT maker. The ambitious gambit by Masayoshi Son is the centrepiece of a broader strategy to fulfil his self-stated mission to bring about so-called “superintelligence”. Here’s what we know about the deal.
3. Car production at British plants fell back below 1mn vehicles, the worst annual drop since the Covid-19 pandemic, figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders showed. Industry executives said of the decline, which came on falling exports and winding down of production of older models, that “growing pains are inevitable”.
Stellantis’s US reset: John Elkann, the Fiat and Jeep owner’s new chief, is ready to unlock more than $5bn of investments in the US as the company builds closer ties to Trump.
4. TotalEnergies failed to convince Joe Biden’s team to approve financing for its $20bn LNG developmentin Africa, which now faces paralysis after a half in 2021 following an Islamist insurgency. The project, which became the largest foreign direct investment project in the continent when financing was secured in 2020, could face “additional and lengthy delays”, the oil group’s chief Patrick Pouyanné had warned the outgoing administration.
5. A passenger jet carrying 64 people and a military helicopter collided near Reagan National Airport outside Washington late on Wednesday, the US Federal Aviation Administration said. The regional flight, operated by PSA Airlines for American Airlines, and a US Army Black Hawk helicopter collided around 9pm. Read the latest developments.
Just last year, Mistral was hailed as a potential global leader in AI technology. But this week, China’s DeepSeek stunned Silicon Valley by releasing a cutting-edge open-source model with what it claims is a tiny fraction of OpenAI or Meta’s resources and computing power — beating the French start-up at its own game. Has Europe’s great hope for AI missed its moment?
We’re also reading . . .
Chart of the day
Findings by MSCI show commercial property investment started to recover from a two-year slump towards the end of 2024, as investors turned to sectors such as residential and continued to avoid office buildings, amid hopes of a real estate market recovery.
Take a break from the news . . .
Pietro Beccari, Louis Vuitton’s chief executive, is betting that the label’s sole title sponsorship of Formula One will help it evolve from a fashion brand into a “cultural” one. “Sport is part of the culture, the life of young people,” he said of the nearly €100mn a year, decade-long tie-up.
Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc celebrates his victory at the Monaco Grand Prix in 2024 next to a Louis Vuitton-branded trunk
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The European Union is currently debating the possibility of returning to Russian gas as part of a new deal with Ukraine. This comes as tensions in the region continue to escalate and concerns about energy security grow.
Many EU member states rely heavily on Russian gas imports, but have been looking to diversify their energy sources in order to reduce dependence on Moscow. However, with the current situation in Ukraine and escalating tensions with Russia, some are now reconsidering the possibility of resuming gas imports from Russia.
The debate is fraught with political and strategic implications, as well as economic considerations. Some argue that re-engaging with Russia on gas could help stabilize the situation in Ukraine and ensure a stable energy supply for the EU. Others, however, are wary of strengthening ties with Moscow and believe that alternative energy sources should be prioritized.
As the EU continues to navigate this complex issue, it remains to be seen what decision will ultimately be made regarding the return to Russian gas as part of a new deal with Ukraine. Stay tuned for updates on this developing story.
