Trump’s team allegedly offered Putin:

✅ Ukrainian territory
✅ No NATO for Ukraine
✅ No U.S. troops in Ukraine or Europe
✅ Sanctions relief

Putin’s counteroffer?

❌ Nothing.

Source: Former U.S. Ambassador to Russia Michael McFaul

As the M23 rebels continued their offensive in eastern DRC, the Ugandan army entered the DRC through Bunia in the Ituri region. DRC army regional spokesman Jules Ngongo announced that the Ugandan army had arrived in the region for joint operations.

Meanwhile, M23 rebels entered Kamanyola, south of Bukavu.

Nigerian President Bola Tinubu has urged the formation of a joint maritime task force to enhance security in the Gulf of Guinea, a vital corridor for trade that has faced persistent piracy threats.

Speaking at the African Union (AU) summit, Tinubu stressed the need for regional and international cooperation to curb maritime crimes and ensure safe navigation.

The Gulf of Guinea has been a hotspot for pirate attacks, oil theft, and illegal fishing, impacting economic stability and security.

The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have announced plans to form a separatist government in Sudan. RSF deputy leader attended the session in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, where the plan was announced.

Sudan condemned Kenya for hosting RSF leaders in Nairobi, describing it as a ‘hostile’ act. Khartoum warned of taking action to remedy the situation.

Trump's special envoy Keith Kellogg arrives in Kyiv, Ukraine.

U.S. Special Envoy for Russia and Ukraine, Keith Kellogg in Kyiv:

“We will listen. We are ready to provide what is necessary. We understand the need for security guarantees.

Then, I will return to the U.S. and speak with President Trump to ensure we fully understand everything correctly.”

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian welcomed Azerbaijan’s Prime Minister in Azerbaijani Turkish—despite a recent security warning for reciting poetry in the language.

Pezeshkian, originally from Urmia, West Azerbaijan province, was born to Turkish-speaking parents in Iran.

NEW: EU representatives have agreed on a 16th sanctions package against Russia, including a ban on primary aluminum imports.

Ukraine’s kamikaze UAVs struck Russia's Syzran oil refinery in Samara region overnight.

Meanwhile Russia launched a massive UAV assault on Ukraine, deploying 167 Shahed-136 kamikaze UAVs and decoys, targeting Odesa, Kyiv, Sumy, Cherkasy, and Zaporizhzhia regions.

Trump signals he’s ready to abandon allies and align with Putin.

Trump has long viewed Putin as a “very savvy” and “genius” leader, worthy of admiration—unlike U.S. allies such as Germany, Canada, and France, whom he often scorns.

Source: NYT

Kremlin:

Putin-Trump talks may happen by late February—or later. Meeting prep will take time.

Putin will name a negotiator after the U.S. does.

57% of Ukrainians trust Zelensky now.

Trust rose from 52% in December 2024, when the balance was +13%.

Source: Kyiv International Institute of Sociology (KIIS)

Turkish President Erdogan to Ukraine's Zelensky in Ankara:

I reaffirmed Türkiye’s strong support for Ukraine’s territorial integrity, sovereignty, and independence.

Ukraine has NO significant rare-earth deposits.

USGS & mining databases do not list Ukraine as a major source. Only small scandium deposits exist, but they are not economically viable.

“What Ukraine has is scorched earth; what it doesn’t have is rare earths.” — Javier Blas

Ukrainian officials overstated mineral potential in 2024 to gain Trump’s favor.

Trump misinterpreted or was misled, assuming major reserves. Online conspiracy theories fueled the false claim.

Even if Ukraine produced 20% of global rare earths, it would be worth only $3B annually—far from Trump’s $500B demand.

Mining experts call Ukraine’s deposits too difficult & costly to extract.

“Simply put, ‘follow the money’ doesn’t work here.”

Source: Bloomberg

Former Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine & current Ambassador of Ukraine to UK, Valerii Zaluzhnyi on whether he will run for president:

“If the time comes, I’ll be ready to answer such questions.”

“For now, our task is to endure and preserve our state. Only after that will we think about other things.”

Chief of Ukrainian Military Intelligence (GUR) Kyrylo Budanov:

Without the U.S., Ukraine will struggle. We must do everything to maintain their support.

Global security in Europe is impossible without Ukraine.

One warrior is not a soldier in the field. That is my answer regarding the United States.

Zelensky:

If Ukraine joins the EU and NATO tomorrow, I will no longer be needed.

But until that happens, I will continue to defend my country.

Zelensky:

Russia wants to get rid of me—if not physically, then politically.

I am a very inconvenient person for Putin.

Russian FM Lavrov:

The U.S. expressed interest in removing obstacles to potential and highly promising economic projects with Russia during the meeting in Riyadh.

Russian FM Lavrov:

Donald Trump's remarks about NATO show that he understands our position.

Zelensky:

Today I am the president of Ukraine because 73% voted for me and I still have the support of the people.

I have not regretted running for a single day.