Kremlin:

Putin, as part of preparations for the meeting in Alaska, held a meeting with members of Russia's top leadership, as well as representatives of the government and the presidential administration.

European Commission:

We oppose Israel's annexation of West Bank territories and it is illegal.

We reject the displacement and evacuation of Palestinian areas in the West Bank and Gaza.

Putin:

The US administration is making active efforts to reach a settlement regarding Ukraine.

The head of Mossad visited Doha and met with the Qatari Prime Minister to discuss the Gaza deal.

Source: Israeli Channel 12

Russia and Ukraine have carried out another POW swap.

Zelensky:

A prisoner exchange took place, 84 people are home.

The head of the Mossad clarified to the Qatari Prime Minister in a meeting: A partial hostage deal is off the table.

The US is sending air and naval forces to the southern Caribbean to target Latin American drug cartels labeled as global terrorist groups.

Source: Reuters

US Treasury Secretary Bessent:

We've put secondary tariffs on Indians for buying Russian oil. And I could see, If things don't go well, then sanctions or secondary tariffs could go up.

For the first time since Russia’s 2022 invasion, Europe’s military-industrial output for Ukraine (€35.1B) has surpassed the US (€30.7B).

The EU and other European states have also overtaken the US in total military aid, tanks, and other key weapons, with Germany the top donor by value.

Source: Defense News

UEFA said its “Stop Killing Children — Stop Killing Civilians” banner displayed before the Super Cup final was a humanitarian message, not a political one.

White House on the Trump-Putin meeting:

Trump wants to exhaust all options to have a peaceful end to the war.

Iran's Supreme Leader Khamenei and the clerical power structure have reached a consensus to resume nuclear negotiations with the US, viewing them as vital to the Islamic Republic’s survival.

Source: Reuters, citing insiders

Iranian political insider to Reuters:

The Iranian leadership leans towards talks as they have seen the cost of military confrontation.

Since December 8, 2024, 411,649 Syrian nationals have voluntarily returned home under Türkiye’s government-coordinated repatriation program, the migration authority said.

Gulf’s Interest in Africa

Somalia and Kuwait agreed to boost cooperation via a joint committee and yearly consultations.

The agreements also include joint training, knowledge exchange, and personnel programs.

US Secretary of State Rubio:

To achieve peace in Ukraine, we all recognize that there'll have to be some conversation about security guarantees.

Trump on his upcoming meeting with Putin:

I think he is going to make a deal.

Trump:

I think Putin wants to get it done.

Kremlin:

It would be a mistake to jump ahead and predict the results of the Russia-US summit in Alaska.

Trump on Ukraine:

I don't think we can get an immediate ceasefire.