The Sudanese army says it has broken the RSF siege on El-Obeid, a key strategic city in North Kordofan.

El-Obeid has been surrounded by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) since the war began in April 2023. The army announced reopened access to the city and linked up with troops east of the area. The city is a vital crossroads, connecting Khartoum to Darfur, where the RSF has gained significant ground.

NEW: Unknown attackers threw incendiary containers into the Russian consulate's garden in Marseille, local media report, citing police sources. The consul general confirmed the explosion occurred on consulate grounds, not outside as initially claimed.

Moscow demands that France take comprehensive measures to investigate the explosions on the territory of the Russian Consulate General, Zakharova said.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen made a number of statements on Ukraine:

- EU to send Ukraine another tranche of aid in the amount of 3.5 billion euros in March

- Announced that at the EU summit on Ukraine on March 6, she will present the union's strategy for strengthening its defense capability

- EU plans to fully integrate the energy market of Ukraine and Moldova by the end of 2026

Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov met with Turkish Foreign Minister Fidan in Ankara.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan:

The US peace efforts in Ukraine are in line with our policy since the beginning of the war and we attach great importance to the new US initiative as a result-oriented approach. We believe that a solution can be reached through negotiations involving both sides.

Turkish Foreign Minister Fidan:

We agree with Russia that the seperatist groups in Syria must be stopped.

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen:

There is a threat that peace in Ukraine could be more dangerous than the current war.

Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov:

"We informed the Turkish side about the Russian-American talks. We shared with the minister the outcome of Riyadh on 18 February. We will continue these discussions with our American partners and we will do it within the framework of agreements. We discussed very thoroughly with the minister other issues that are on the international agenda, for example the situation in Ukraine. We continue to maintain our position on Ukraine, we have not changed it, and at the same time we are really pleased that more and more realistic approaches are emerging. It is not possible to end the war without a lasting peace, that is to say, without the elimination of the first causes, the first reasons for the emergence of this war."

Former British Prime Minister Johnson:

I categorically reject the lies that are currently being spread about the origins of the war in Ukraine.

I am convinced that Ukraine will have a great future as a free, sovereign and independent state.

Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov:

Moscow and Ankara agreed to co-operate on Syria and confirmed their interest in joint work towards a settlement in Syria.

Turkish President Erdogan:

Next year, it is our shared responsibility to commemorate the anniversary of peace, not of war.

Zelensky:

Ukraine is ready to exchange prisoners with the Russian Federation in the format of all for all.

Kremlin:

We do not see any possibility of resuming dialogue with Europe at the present time.

BREAKING: Trump shut downs U.S. base in Alexandroupoli, Greece.

The European Union has suspended sanctions imposed on Syria in the energy and transport sectors.

U.S. President Donald Trump decided to "dismantle" the U.S. military presence in Alexandroupolis, Greece.

Turkey had been opposing the U.S. military presence in Alexandroupolis for years.

Source: Greek newspaper Dimokratia

According to the Greek press, Donald Trump ordered the closure of the Alexandroupoli base at the joint request of Vladimir Putin and Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Trump's move will be a strategic loss for Greece, the Greek press stresses.

Zelensky:

Ukraine is ready for a “all-for-all” prisoner exchange with Russia.