U.S., Ukraine, and Russia to Hold Peace Talks in February
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that trilateral peace talks involving the U.S., Ukraine, and Russia are scheduled for February 4-5 in Abu Dhabi, following productive discussions between U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff and Russian envoy Kirill Dmitriev in Florida. The U.S. delegation included Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and senior advisor Jared Kushner, while both sides are reportedly close to a deal, though key territorial issues remain unresolved. Separately, a Russian drone strike in Dnipropetrovsk killed two civilians, highlighting ongoing violence amid the diplomatic efforts.
New START treaty set to expire with no extension talks
The New START treaty, the last remaining agreement limiting nuclear arsenals between the US and Russia, is set to expire on February 4, 2026, with no negotiations for an extension underway. US President Donald Trump has indicated a dismissive stance towards the treaty's expiration, stating, 'if it expires, it expires.' The lapse of this treaty, which previously constrained 87% of the world's nuclear weapons, raises concerns about a potential escalation in the global nuclear arms race.
Israel Bans Médecins Sans Frontières from Gaza Operations
Israel has announced a ban on Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) from operating in Gaza after the charity refused to provide a list of its staff, citing safety concerns. The Israeli government had previously ordered 37 organizations to submit documentation regarding their local and international workers, claiming some MSF staff had links to armed groups. MSF, which provides a significant portion of healthcare in Gaza, stated that it would share staff information only under conditions ensuring their safety, but was unable to secure such assurances from Israeli authorities.
Khamenei warns of regional war amid US tensions
Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, warned that any attack by the United States would trigger a "regional war" in the Middle East, coinciding with President Donald Trump's threats of military action amid ongoing protests in Iran. Khamenei's comments come as the USS Abraham Lincoln and associated American warships are positioned in the Arabian Sea, and Iran plans a live-fire military drill in the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a critical shipping route for global oil trade.
German authorities arrest five for smuggling tech to Russia
German authorities arrested five individuals in Lübeck and Lauenburg district on suspicion of smuggling Western technology to Russian arms manufacturers, facilitating around 16,000 illegal exports valued at over €30 million. The suspects, including German nationals and individuals with Russian and Ukrainian citizenship, are accused of operating a criminal organization and violating Germany's foreign trade laws. Prosecutors indicated that the network was allegedly linked to Russian state agencies and involved the use of bogus firms to bypass EU sanctions.
