'100% tariffs' — Trump vows trade war if BRICS replaces dollar as reserve currency
The BRICS group, composed of Russia, China, India, Brazil, and other nations, has been exploring ways to reduce reliance on the U.S. dollar.
United States
'Dishonest' to suggest Ukraine could have fully defeated Russia, retake Crimea, Rubio says
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that the U.S. has been "fund(ing) a stalemate" that "set (Ukraine) back a 100 years" and called for a swift resolution.
Suspected US-to-Russia weapons trafficker arrested in Kyrgyzstan
Kyrgyz law enforcement officers arrested a suspected arms trafficker linked to a criminal group smuggling weapons from the U.S. to Russia, according to a statement released by Kyrgyzstan's security agency, the State Committee for National Security, on Jan. 30.
Tulsi Gabbard 'offended' by question about pro-Russian sympathies at Senate hearing
During her hearing before the Senate Intelligence Committee, Republican Senator Jerry Moran asked Gabbard if Russia would "get a pass" from her in light of her past statements. "Senator, I'm offended by the question," Gabbard said.
Kyiv Independent launches fundraiser to support Ukraine's front-line media after US aid freeze
"We couldn’t just stand by and watch our colleagues and partners lose their teams and suspend their operations while independent journalism remains one of the most crucial jobs in Ukraine today, especially near the front lines," said Daryna Shevchenko, CEO of the Kyiv Independent.
Russian oligarch held stake in Musk's SpaceX through trust despite sanctions, Bloomberg reports
Kerimov's investment in SpaceX reportedly began in 2017 through Heritage Trust, a financial structure managed by Citigroup. SpaceX was valued at $21 billion at the time, meaning his 1% stake could have been worth around $210 million.
Russian figure skating champions on board the plane that crashed in Washington
The plane crashed into a military helicopter while landing at the Washington airport. In the first hours after the crash, rescuers did not find any survivors.
EU not considering banning Russian LNG until it secures alternatives, Reuters reports
The European Commission will not propose implementing a ban on Russian liquified natural gas (LNG) imports in its upcoming sanctions package amid concern among member states about first securing an alternative from other countries, including the United States, EU diplomats told Reuters on Jan. 29.
Zelensky looks to domestic, EU funders for key projects amid US aid freeze
Following an initial report into U.S.-funded projects affected by the freeze, Zelensky said the government was prioritizing the energy sector, military veterans, and border crossings.
Rubio issues humanitarian waiver for Trump's foreign aid freeze
Those programs not covered by the waiver include "abortions, family planning conferences… transgender surgeries, or other non-life saving assistance."
Zelensky orders report on Ukrainian programs affected by Trump's foreign aid freeze
U.S. President Donald Trump suspended all foreign aid programs for 90 days in an executive order signed on his day of inauguration.
Kallas, Rubio discuss Ukraine in first official phone call
EU Chief Diplomat Kaja Kallas spoke with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Jan. 28 in their first official phone conversation since the Trump administration took office.
US judge temporarily halts Trump's federal aid freeze, NYT reports
A federal judge temporarily halted the Trump administration’s Office of Management and Budget (OMB) memo that sought to freeze up to $3 billion in funding for various U.S. federal programs, the New York Times (NYT) reported on Jan. 28.
China urges Russia, US to cut nuclear arsenals before joining disarmament talks
In a video message to the World Economic Forum in Davos last week, U.S. President Donald Trump expressed his desire for "denuclearisation" and reiterated his call for trilateral discussions involving the U.S., Russia, and China.
Trump’s foreign aid freeze stranded independent media in Ukraine. Here's how you can help
Editor's Note: After this op-ed was published, the Kyiv Independent launched a fundraiser to save three Ukrainian newsrooms that suffered from the aid freeze. It probably made sense on paper. In his first week in office, U.S. President Donald Trump ordered a 90–day freeze on U.S. foreign
US suspends Ukrainian refugee program after Trump's immigration order
"Due to the Jan. 20, 2025, Executive Order, Securing Our Borders, USCIS is pausing acceptance of Form I-134A, Online Request to be a Supporter and Declaration of Financial Support, until we review all categorical parole processes as required by that order," the statement read.
Trump suspends aid to Ukraine, vital NGOs 'don't know if they'll survive'
U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to freeze foreign development assistance for 90 days has thrown Ukrainian organizations into turmoil, in some cases threatening their very existence and leaving the people they support in limbo. These non-profit organizations provide a huge range of humanitarian services, including counseling, organizing cultural events,
Zelensky’s party’s parliamentary leader attended Trump’s inauguration, media reports
David Arakhamia, the parliamentary leader of President Volodymyr Zelensky’s Servant of the People party, was among the few foreign dignitaries that attended U.S. President Donald Trump’s inauguration last week, the Independent reported on Jan. 26.
Belarus releases American citizen amid controversial election
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio identified the U.S. citizen as Anastassia Nuhfer, who was detained in early December 2024.
Ukraine war latest: Ukraine strikes drone storage facility in Russia's Oryol Oblast and destroys 200 Shaheds, General Staff reports
Key developments on Jan. 25-26: * Ukraine strikes drone storage facility in Russia's Oryol Oblast and destroys 200 Shaheds, General Staff reports * Rubio halts most foreign aid, including Ukraine assistance, Politico reports * Russia launched over 1,250 bombs, 750 drones at Ukraine during Trump's first week in office * Ukrainian troops avoid
Washington orders USAID to suspend projects and funding in Ukraine, Suspilne reports
The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), one of the largest official aid agencies in the world, has been told to stop projects in Ukraine following a 90-day foreign aid freeze imposed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Ukrainian media Suspilne reported, citing sources in the agency.
Trump serious about annexing Greenland, aggressive with Danish PM, FT reports
Trump's territorial ambitions and disregard for international norms are "serious, and potentially very dangerous," a senior European Official told the Financial Times.
Trump fires Defense, State department watchdogs in latest government purge
Inspectors general provide oversight of federal agencies, investigating cases of possible fraud, waste, and abuse of power. Defense Department watchdogs have played a role in tracking U.S. military aid to Ukraine throughout Russia's full-scale invasion.
US suspends programs for entry of migrants, including Ukrainians, NYT reports
Donald Trump previously pledged to impose harsher legislation on migrants and launch the "largest deportation program in U.S. history."
US considers buying weapons for Ukraine using frozen Russian assets, Kellogg says
The approach can be part of a comprehensive solution that will support Ukraine in its war against Russia and strengthen the American defense industry, Keith Kellogg said.
Pete Hegseth confirmed as US Secretary of Defense in tie-breaking vote
The U.S. Senate confirmed Pete Hegseth as Secretary of Defense on Jan. 24 in a tie-breaking vote.
US arms exports reach record $318 billion in 2024 driven by Ukraine-related demand
The State Department described arms sales and transfers as "important U.S. foreign policy tools with potential long-term implications for regional and global security."
What leverage does Trump have over Russia in Ukraine peace negotiations? Quite a lot, experts say
Only days after U.S. President Donald Trump returned to the White House, he dialed up the heat on Russia with a threat of sanctions, tariffs, and negotiating "the hard way" if Russian President Vladimir Putin fails to come to the table for a peace deal with Ukraine. Trump has
Trump accuses Russia of stealing plans for U.S. hypersonic missile
President Donald Trump previously raised the accusation in 2023, saying Russia had stolen plans for what he described as "super-duper missiles."
Trump plans to reach out to North Korea’s Kim Jong Un
Kim Jong Un, who Trump lauded as a "smart guy," has become Russian President Vladimir Putin’s key ally in a war against Ukraine, providing ballistic missiles, artillery, and 12,000 troops.
Putin ready to talk to Trump, Kremlin 'awaits signals' from US
"(Vladimir) Putin is ready, we are waiting for signals, everyone is ready," Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said on Jan. 24.
Zelensky is ’no angel’ — Trump criticizes Ukraine’s president for ’wanting to fight’ at war’s onset
"Zelensky... shouldn’t have allowed this to happen either. He’s no angel," Trump said. "First of all, he’s fighting a much bigger entity."
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