Latest Developments

Former US President Donald Trump has expressed sympathy for Russia's position that Ukraine should not be part of NATO. He also lamented that he will not be able to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin before his inauguration. Trump's statement contradicts the stance of NATO members and the Biden administration, who have expressed support for Ukraine's eventual membership. However, Ukraine has never been formally invited to join the alliance.

The Biden administration is set to announce a "substantial" final weapons package for Ukraine. The package will be announced by Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin during a visit to Germany, where he will meet with representatives from around 50 countries supporting Ukraine. While the exact value of the package remains undisclosed, it is confirmed that it will not utilize all of the remaining $4 billion allocated for Ukraine. This announcement follows a $1.25 billion aid package in December and several other aid announcements as the US rushed to provide military assistance before President Joe Biden leaves office.

Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha has announced that an upcoming visit to Kyiv by Trump's special envoy for Ukraine and Russia will be rescheduled. He expressed confidence that the meeting between Keith Kellogg and Ukrainian officials would "take place in its own time" and that the two countries are in contact to "ensure that the meeting is as meaningful as possible."

Ukraine's general staff reported a significant increase in clashes in the Russian Kursk region on Tuesday, with 94 engagements recorded, double the number from the previous day. The Russian defense ministry, in contrast, claimed to have defeated Ukrainian brigades in six locations and initiated strikes on Ukrainian troops and equipment in seven other locations. It is important to note that reports from both sides cannot be independently verified.

The Ukrainian army has confirmed that fighting continues in Kurakhove, a town that Russia claimed to have captured. Victor Tregubov, a spokesperson for Ukraine's Khortytsia army unit, stated that Ukrainian troops are holding their ground on the western outskirts of the town. He accused Russia of employing scorched earth tactics to "completely destroy" the town, adding that Ukraine is inflicting losses on Russian forces to prevent further advances.

The European Union's foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, has accused Russia of using "gas as a weapon" after Russia's Gazprom cut off heating and hot water in the Transnistria region of Moldova due to a financial dispute. This coincides with the non-renewal of a gas transit agreement between Russia and Ukraine, leaving people in the region reliant on burning wood and electric heaters. Kallas reaffirmed the EU's "unwavering solidarity" with Moldova in a call with its Prime Minister, Dorin Recean.