Today's overview focuses on major events: the state of peace talks between Ukraine and Russia, attacks on Zaporizhzhia, international statements, and internal political battles in the US.
The President of Ukraine has announced that the next round of negotiations with Russia is set for February 4-5. However, according to Ukrainian leadership and Western media, the Russian side is not showing serious intent to achieve peace. The New York Times points out that a Ukrainian withdrawal from Donbas could encourage Russia to renewed aggression. German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius stressed that Russian President Vladimir Putin is sticking to maximalist goals, including full occupation of Ukraine.
In this context, Russian forces launched a strike on a maternity hospital in Zaporizhzhia, drawing international attention. Despite some Western experts’ assertions about Russia’s desire for peace, repeated shelling of civilian infrastructure contradicts such claims. The material also highlights reports of Russian troop concentrations near the Finnish border and air provocations in Poland and Lithuania.
In the US, internal political confrontation remains active: Donald Trump has made a series of high-profile statements, including calls to arrest Barack Obama and changes regarding India’s oil imports. Meanwhile, in Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelensky discusses the possibility of running for a second term, emphasizing that the course of the war will determine his decision.
Thus, tensions remain high both on the battlefield and in the domestic politics of the main players involved.
