🇦🇿🇦🇪 На официальных страницах президента Азербайджана Ильхама Алиева в социальных сетях опубликовано видео, посвященное рабочему визиту в ОАЭ (02-05.02.2026).

@caliber_az_official

Ukraine’s first prisoner exchange of the year was a long and tense operation, intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov said. Among those returning home are 19 illegally sentenced defenders, including 15 given life terms. Most of the freed are rank and file soldiers, along with 16 officers.

🇰🇷🇺🇸 Defense ministry proposes joint, partial management of DMZ to US

The defense ministry has proposed to the United States that South Korea's military jointly manage parts of the southern half of the heavily fortified Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) separating the two Koreas.

The proposal came as the South Korean government aims to secure control of civilian access to the 248-kilometer-long, 4-km-wide stretch of the DMZ. Currently, the US-led UN Command (UNC) administers the military buffer zone as the south-side enforcer of the armistice that ended the 1950-53 Korean War.

Amid the UNC's outright objection to Seoul's move, the defense ministry proposed a measure under which South Korea's military oversees entry to parts of areas located south of the barbed-wire fence within the DMZ.

In addition to making the request to the UNC, the ministry also seeks to include the issue as an agenda item in bilateral defense talks, such as the Korea-U.S. Integrated Defense Dialogue and the Security Consultative Meeting.

#SouthKorea #USA

@asianomics

⚠️ Chavista NA will debate on the amnesty law. Henrique Capriles will participate.

The United States and Russia are nearing a deal to extend the New START nuclear arms control treaty that expires Thursday, Axios sources said. Talks were held in Abu Dhabi, but no agreement is confirmed and the plan still needs approval by both presidents. US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner took part.

As the world watches the Milan–Cortina Olympics, Estonia’s Foreign Ministry highlights the contrast between global celebration and Russia’s ongoing aggression against Ukraine.

More than 600 Ukrainian athletes and coaches have been killed or injured, and hundreds of sports facilities destroyed, while Russian athletes continue to compete.

The ministry said this is not neutrality but a choice that contradicts Olympic values, stressing that sport cannot be “outside politics” when used as a tool of propaganda and war, and urging the Olympic Movement not to allow aggressors to whitewash their crimes through international sport.

WELCOME HOME 🇺🇦❤️

157 of our Defenders are home! Among them are 7 civilians and those illegally convicted by the Russians!

Another important feature of this exchange is that 18 defenders who were sentenced to long terms of imprisonment by the Russians are returning to Ukraine.

President Zelensky rejected Russia’s ultimatum on recognizing Donbas, saying Ukraine has its own president who signs documents for the country. He stressed that Ukraine’s territories belong to Ukraine despite their temporary occupation and said no other leaders can decide this for Kyiv.

🇺🇸☢️ U.S. and Russia are nearing a handshake deal to keep observing the New START nuclear treaty after it expires, - AXIOS

The agreement wouldn’t be legally binding but would have both sides follow the treaty’s limits for at least six months while negotiating a new framework.

Ukrainian media report that Russia's "appetite" is growing during negotiations. They are now demanding not only the surrender of Donbas but also official recognition of it as part of Russia by all countries.

🇵🇱🇺🇦 Ukraine and Poland have agreed to use SAFE funds to jointly strengthen defense capabilities and develop the economy, — Tusk

The Polish Prime Minister emphasized that part of the funding can be directed to the joint production of technologies and defense products in Ukraine and Poland.

According to him, Ukraine today is an important partner for any state that seeks to modernize defense, in particular through the use of modern technologies and artificial intelligence. The SAFE program opens up the opportunity to implement projects where Ukraine and Poland can offer the best solutions.

The President added that the first results of cooperation are already available and the preparation of the first joint report on achievements is expected.

🇺🇦 The negotiations were really constructive, — Budanov following the meeting with Russia in Abu Dhabi

The head of the OP said this in a comment to RBC-Ukraine.

💬 Grateful to the US and UAE for the high-quality organization and mediation.

🇺🇦 Zelensky commented on the information of the Russian media that Russia demands that countries recognize Donbas as its own.

💬 "First, not everyone will recognize. And, secondly, Ukraine has a president who signs documents, thank God. And not other leaders sign relevant important documents for Ukraine. Therefore, our territories are ours."

We are bringing our people home — 157 Ukrainians. Soldiers of the Armed Forces, the National Guard and the State Border Service. Soldiers, sergeants and officers. Civilians are also returning together with the defenders. Most had been held in captivity since 2022, — President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets added that 18 defenders sentenced by Russia to long prison terms were also returned home.

✈️🇵🇱🇺🇦 If Ukraine needs MiGs, Poland is ready to transfer them. We talked about a mutual exchange for Ukrainian drones, — Tusk

He confirmed that Poland has MiG-29 fighters at its disposal and is ready to transfer them to Ukraine if necessary.

Poland and Ukraine agreed to work flexibly and adjust positions in accordance with the current needs of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

The Polish Prime Minister also noted that Ukraine needs to strengthen its air defense, in particular missiles, but Poland cannot help in all areas.

Tusk also said that upon returning to Poland, he would discuss with the Minister of Defense the possibility of transferring alternative equipment instead of MiGs.