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

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan:

Türkiye is ready to take control of ISIS camps in northeastern Syria.

South Korea's National Intelligence Service (NIS) claims around 300 North Korean soldiers have been killed and 2,700 wounded while fighting alongside Russian forces in Ukraine.

According to South Korean lawmakers, some soldiers were reportedly ordered to commit suicide rather than be captured by Ukrainian forces.

Syrian Leader Ahmad al-Shaara:

Our priority now must be to implement a state-oriented approach.

A revolutionary mindset cannot build a state. Revolution is reactive; it may help topple a regime but cannot construct a state. Thus, while revolution is something we take pride in and celebrate, it is now over.

We cannot carry the revolutionary mindset into the state-building process. Imagine trying to build a state with organizations alone—would it work?

That’s why the country needs institutions, a president, an executive government, a parliament, and strategic plans.

Former U.S. diplomat Hala Rharrit reveals she documented images from Gaza for the State Department, showing “U.S. bomb fragments near massacres, mostly of children.”

"U.S. support for the war in Gaza has put a target on America's back.

The scale of human suffering... is something we just can’t really grapple with."