U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio:

I mean, at the end, whether we like it or not, Russia is a power, a global power, and they're involved and engaged in Syria. (...) We have to have some communication with them. So step one is our embassy in Moscow is barely functioning.

Footage of Milei gifting Musk a chainsaw.

Elon Musk:

I am a bought asset of Putin?

He can't afford me.

Chinese research team, led by virologist Shi Zhengli, has discovered a new bat coronavirus with potential for human infection.

The virus uses the same human receptor (ACE2) as SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for Covid-19.

This virus is a new lineage of the HKU5 coronavirus, first identified in Japanese pipistrelle bats in Hong Kong.

Source: SCMP

Trump:

They tell me I am not allowed to run.

I'm not sure. Is that true?

British Defense Minister John Healey:

Zelensky is the elected leader of Ukraine. He did what Winston Churchill did in World War II — suspending elections for the duration of the war.

Trump:

What is stopping the Canadian people from joining us and singing our national anthem?

NEW: Trump’s inner circle believes Zelensky should leave Ukraine "immediately".

“The best option for Zelensky and the world would be his immediate departure to France.”

Source: NY Post

Another one: A weird salute by Steve Bannon at CPAC.

80 French military personnel will stay in Ivory Coast for training as France hands over a key base in Abidjan.

Defence Minister Lecornu: "We’re not disappearing."

JD Vance:

Ukraine exists only thanks to the generosity of the United States, and Zelensky should say "thank you" instead of traveling around Europe criticizing Trump.

The US Secretary of State Rubio allowed for a "limited" easing of anti-Russian sanctions if Russia begins to take steps that Washington prefers.

Source: NYT

NEW: U.S. Republican lawmakers introduce bill to withdraw from the United Nations.

The proposed legislation calls for a complete U.S. exit from the UN, including halting funding for the organization and its agencies and banning participation in peacekeeping missions.

Russia is preparing to declare “victory” in the war against Ukraine & NATO by February 24, Ukraine’s Intelligence Directorate (GUR) claims.

NEW: Russia has launched a railway connection between Rostov-on-Don, Mariupol, Volnovakha, and Donetsk.

The new railway line, located in the “deep rear,” is expected to streamline military logistics and reduce the Russian Army’s dependence on the Crimean Bridge.

Russian Army training goes WRONG.

IS terror plot foiled in Turkey. Turkish police arrested Uzbek national Abdulmalik A. in Istanbul for plotting large-scale attacks on synagogues & Jewish schools. He was in direct contact with Daesh’s leadership and entered Turkey legally. Authorities uncovered coded messages revealing his deadly mission. Security is now tightened at potential targets.

UK appoints a Mandarin-speaking diplomat as its next ambassador to China. Peter Wilson, son of ex-Hong Kong Governor David Wilson, will take on the high-stakes role amid improving China-UK ties. Wilson, a former UK ambassador to Brazil & the Netherlands, has years of Beijing experience & once worked under Boris Johnson.

With PM Keir Starmer set to visit China, Britain's Labour government is shifting gears after years of diplomatic tension.

China's Vice Premier He Lifeng will have a video call with the U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to communicate important issues in the economic field between the two countries, the foreign ministry said.