Shortly after returning to the White House, Donald Trump urged Vladimir Putin to reach an agreement with Ukraine to "put an end" to a war that began almost three years ago. It is the first time the U.S. president, who had promised to end the conflict as soon as he took office, has pressured his Russian counterpart, with whom he has always maintained a good relationship.
"Zelensky wants to make a deal, I don't know if Putin wants to, but he should. I think he is destroying Russia by not reaching an agreement," Trump said before predicting that "Russia will have big problems" if the war continues.
The new president stated that he plans to meet soon with the Russian leader, who had previously stated before Trump's inauguration that he is "open to dialogue with the new U.S. administration on the Ukrainian conflict."
Lukashenko to Speak with Putin to Build a Second Nuclear Power Plant in Belarus
The Belarusian President, Alexander Lukashenko, announced on Tuesday that he will soon discuss with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, the construction of a second nuclear power plant in Belarus, as reported by Efe.
"We will soon address with the President of Russia the issue of building a second nuclear power plant in Belarus," Lukashenko said in a meeting with workers at the Minsk automotive plant, quoted by Pul Pervovo, a Telegram channel close to the Belarusian Presidency's press office.
Putin and Xi Jinping Emphasize Close Relationship After Trump's Return to the White House
Russian President, Vladimir Putin, held a call on Tuesday with his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, emphasizing the close ties between the two countries, a day after Donald Trump's return to the White House.
In the call with Xi on Tuesday, Putin stressed that the relations between Russia and China are based on shared interests, equality, and mutual benefits, noting that they "do not depend on internal political factors or the current international environment."
Von der Leyen: "It's Important for Ukraine to Remain an Independent Country"
The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, stated at the World Economic Forum in Davos that Ukraine must decide on its own territory and that the European Union will continue to support Ukraine without any doubt, as reported by Reuters.
Russian Army Advances on the Outskirts of Pokrovsk
The Russian army is rapidly advancing on the outskirts of the stronghold of Pokrovsk, the main target of the current Russian offensive in the Donbas, by capturing another town in the Ukrainian region of Donetsk.
The Russian troops are trying to approach the city from the south and west, having taken several localities in recent weeks, which has partially cut off access by road and rail to the city. Moscow has also gained control of important lithium deposits.
Ukraine Strikes Fuel Depot in Voronezh
The Ukrainian General Staff claimed responsibility on Tuesday for an attack on a fuel depot in the Russian region of Voronezh. "For the second time this week, drones from the special operations forces of the Ukrainian Army hit the oil depot in Liskinska in the Voronezh region of the Russian Federation," the Ukrainian General Staff statement read.
Russia Claims Capture of Vovkove
Russian troops have taken control of the village of Vovkove in the Donetsk region in eastern Ukraine, as reported by the state news agency TASS, citing the Ministry of Defense.
Ukrainian Army Strikes Russian Military Aircraft Factory
Ukraine attacked a factory in the Russian military-industrial complex located in the Smolensk region, which manufactures and modifies Russian military aircraft Su-25, according to Andrí Kovalenko, head of the Disinformation Center of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine.
Russia Shoots Down 55 Drones Across Six Regions
The Russian Ministry of Defense reported that its anti-aircraft defenses shot down 55 Ukrainian drones over six regions of the country. According to the military report, 22 of the drones were destroyed over the Bryansk region, bordering Ukraine.
Ukrainian Army Strikes Russian Military Aircraft Factory
Ukraine attacked a factory in the Russian military-industrial complex located in the Smolensk region, which manufactures and modifies Russian military aircraft Su-25, according to Andrí Kovalenko, head of the Disinformation Center of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine.
Russian Army Advances on the Outskirts of Pokrovsk
The Russian army is rapidly advancing on the outskirts of the stronghold of Pokrovsk, the main target of the current Russian offensive in the Donbas, by capturing another town in the Ukrainian region of Donetsk.