Poland closed its airspace to the Slovak delegation flying to Moscow.

They had to reroute through Czechia, Germany and the Baltic Sea.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan met with the Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani in Riyadh.

Trump's National Security Adviser Mike Waltz:

Donald Trump believes that the idea of ​​ousting Russia from all Ukrainian territories is unrealistic, other world leaders are beginning to understand this position.

Waltz:

If Ukrainians are calling on the whole world to support democracy "all-in", then they should act accordingly. Their draft age is not even 18.

Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani shook hands with his German counterpart Baerbock.

Vice President of Iran for Strategic Affairs Javad Zarif:

We have no proxies, we only offer moral support, and seek no conflict with Israel.

An owl takes down a Russian drone in the Donetsk region.

Zelenksy:

Ukraine is ready to hand over the North Korean prisoners to Kim Jong-un if he can organize their exchange for Ukrainian soldiers who are held prisoner in Russia.

For those soldiers from North Korea who do not want to return, there may be some other ways. In particular, those Koreans who show a desire to bring peace closer by spreading the truth in Korean about this war will be given such an opportunity.

Interrogation of the captured North Korean soldiers.

Syrian leader Ahmad al-Sharaa:

I am certain that 14 million Syrians will return to their country in 2 years.

Source: Anadolu Agency

NEW: Italy has released Iranian businessman Mohammad Abedini from prison, following the release of Italian journalist Cecilia Sala from Tehran in a deal with Donald Trump.

Abedini, wanted by the US for allegedly exporting drone navigation systems to Iran, was released in Milan after Sala returned to her country.

Several days passed between Iran's release of Sala and Abedini's, with Italy trying to avoid the appearance of a direct prisoner swap.

Source: WSJ

An Israeli security delegation, including Mossad head David Barnea and Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar, arrived in Qatar for talks on a Gaza hostage and ceasefire deal. This comes as Qatar, Egypt, and the U.S. push for a resolution before Donald Trump's inauguration. Efforts aim to free 98 remaining hostages and halt the ongoing fighting.

Israeli and Palestinian officials have said since Thursday that some progress has been made in the indirect talks between Israel and militant group Hamas but did not elaborate. The sides have been keeping a tight lid on the details being worked out.

Source: Reuters