United 24 Media:
❗️Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized that military aid to Ukraine continues uninterrupted despite the suspension of certain U.S. foreign aid programs.
Zelenskyy noted that while military support remains unaffected, details regarding other programs, particularly humanitarian assistance, are not yet fully clear. He mentioned that these programs are set to be suspended for 90 days.
"I know there are some restrictions, and we need to examine them closely. These restrictions primarily affect humanitarian programs. Many institutions worldwide that were previously supported by the U.S. government may face challenges. However, I do not see this money directly. I can only speak about what Ukraine may not receive. My focus remains on military aid, and it has not been stopped. Thank God!" Zelenskyy stated.
🔹 Presidents Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine and Maia Sandu of Moldova issued a joint statement following their discussions in Kyiv. They reaffirmed their commitment to addressing the energy needs of Transnistria.
Both leaders strongly condemned Russia's ongoing subversive activities and hybrid attacks targeting Moldova. These activities, they noted, were particularly evident during last year’s presidential elections and referendum, undermining Moldova’s sovereignty and stability.
🔸 U.S. diplomats have urged the Financial Times to exempt Ukraine-related programs from a 90-day freeze on foreign aid and stop-work orders issued by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the Financial Times reports, citing documents and sources familiar with the situation.
The Trump administration’s decision to freeze foreign aid has jeopardized support for schools, hospitals, and economic development in Ukraine.
Diplomats from the State Department’s Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs, citing national security concerns, asked Rubio to fully exempt the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) in Ukraine from the freeze, which took effect immediately after its announcement on Friday.
On Saturday, a letter to USAID staff in Ukraine noted:
“We do not know at this time whether this request will be granted — in whole or in part — but there are positive signals coming from Washington.”
While USAID in Ukraine is temporarily holding off on issuing stop orders, it has asked staff to evaluate programs and demonstrate how they contribute to strengthening U.S. security and prosperity in line with the Secretary of State’s directive.
However, by Saturday evening in Kyiv, some organizations had already received stop orders. One such order, obtained by the Financial Times, directs the contractor to:
“Immediately cease work on the USAID/Ukraine contract/task.”
The document specifies that work cannot resume without written approval from the contracting officer.
The State Department, USAID, and the U.S. Embassy in Kyiv have not yet commented.
🔹 The European Union is united in its commitment to achieving a just peace in Ukraine, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani stated.
Speaking at a “Forward, Italy” event in Milan, Tajani emphasized that Italy, alongside other EU nations, pursues policies aimed at securing a just peace rather than the defeat of Ukraine.
“Italy is not an enemy of anyone and is not at war. We act only as peacemakers,” Tajani said, addressing remarks made by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, who claimed Italy’s supposed anti-Russian stance disqualifies it from participating in potential negotiations.
“If we say that Russia should respect international law, this does not mean we are enemies of Russia. We are not enemies of anyone. We are defending Ukraine’s right to remain independent,” Tajani explained.
He concluded by reaffirming that all EU countries, together with the United States, will contribute to efforts that lead to a just and lasting peace.
🔸 Ukraine Strikes Oil Refinery in Ryazan Region Again – General Staff
Ukraine has targeted the Ryazan Oil Refinery, one of the four largest refineries in Russia, according to military reports.
The refinery is a key facility, producing diesel fuel and TS-1 jet fuel.
🔹 Lukashenko announced that the Russian Oreshnik system would be deployed in Belarus “any day now,” with plans to position it closer to the border with Ukraine.
The self-proclaimed president suggested that Oreshnik could also be placed “closer to Russian Smolensk” to ensure that “targets are not too close to the border.”
The distance from Smolensk to the Russian-Ukrainian border is approximately 400 km.
🔸 Lukashenko: Only Belarusians Can Ensure Peace Between the “Middle and Elder Brothers”
Lukashenko stated that there is no alternative to Belarusian peacekeepers in the Russian-Ukrainian war.
“For it to be as Ukraine and Russia agree, only the Belarusian army can fulfill this role. There are no others. All the rest will be drawn either to the West or to the East.
Therefore, they can only agree on Belarusian peacekeepers,” he said.
🔹 The self-proclaimed President of Belarus, Lukashenko, stated that he is “violet” (means indifferent) about whether the West will recognize the presidential “elections” scheduled for January 26.
He added, “If the West recognizes the elections, we will react, we will thank you.”
🔸 During the week, the Russians launched 1,250 aerial bombs, over 750 attack drones, and more than 20 missiles of various types against Ukraine, President Zelenskyy reported.
🔹 Another cable between Latvia and Sweden, operated by the Latvian State Radio and Television Centre (LVRTC), has been damaged in the Baltic Sea at a depth of over 50 meters.
On the morning of January 26, the monitoring system reported issues with data transmission between Ventspils, Latvia, and Gotland, Sweden.
"Currently, there are reasons to believe that the cable is significantly damaged, likely due to external influence," said Vineta Sprugain, head of LVRTC's corporate communications department.
The Latvian Navy was informed of the damage. Several vessels were detected in the area, and a Navy patrol boat set out to inspect one of them. The other two vessels moved into international waters.
🔸 NATO is sharing classified information with EU defense companies to boost production capacities, Bloomberg reports.
The Alliance is developing a secure format for transferring generalized indicators to manufacturers, enabling them to better align production with NATO's needs. Full data sharing requires consensus among NATO members, which could take several months.
However, some classified standards are already being shared, focusing on interoperability improvements, such as weapon calibers and radio frequencies.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte supports the initiative, urging Europe to increase weapons production.
🔹 The head of the EU Military Committee, General Robert Brieger, discussed the possibility of a UN-mandated mission to monitor a ceasefire in Ukraine during an interview with Welt. He suggested that such a mission could include not only European troops but also forces from the Global South or regions like the Caucasus.
Brieger estimated that monitoring a demilitarized zone along the front line would require a military presence in the "high five-figure range." While EU member states could contribute significant forces, he emphasized that they might not be sufficient alone.
He advocated for an "executive mission" with a robust mandate, allowing soldiers to enforce the ceasefire using weapons and air support if necessary. However, he acknowledged that this remains a theoretical scenario for now.
Regarding U.S. President Donald Trump's proposal to end the war by freezing the front line, Brieger expressed skepticism. He noted that such a move might halt immediate deaths but could lead to a protracted conflict, as seen in the Korean Peninsula.
Brieger underscored that Ukraine must approach any potential negotiations from the strongest possible position, pointing out that regaining lost territories would require a larger deployment of forces than Ukraine currently has.
🔸 Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, in an interview with journalist Cecilia Sale for Il Foglio, emphasized Ukraine’s commitment to achieving a genuine and lasting peace, while expressing skepticism about certain proposals for ending the war.
Key points from the interview:
• On Trump’s threats to Putin
Zelenskyy acknowledged Trump’s statements about making things “worse” for Russia, noting the importance of a strong leader sending a firm message to Putin. Trump has expressed his desire to end the war.
• On Trump’s plan to end the war
Zelenskyy believes Trump’s approach lacks clarity and detailed understanding. He stressed that much depends on Ukraine’s ability to defend itself and on Putin’s willingness to cease aggression, which Zelenskyy doubts.
• On security guarantees for Ukraine
Zelenskyy underlined the importance of U.S. involvement, asserting that European nations would not independently take responsibility for halting Russian aggression.
• On the Ukrainian military
He highlighted the resolve of Ukrainian soldiers, stating they desire peace even more than the new U.S. administration, but only if it ensures the war truly ends this time.
🔹 The European Union is reportedly considering suspending sanctions on Syria, specifically in the energy and transport sectors, according to Reuters. Discussions among EU foreign ministers are set to take place on January 27 in Brussels. While the potential easing of sanctions includes energy and transport, there is no agreement yet on lifting restrictions on financial transactions with Syria, according to three diplomats and a document seen by the publication.
🔸 Ukrainian defense forces struck warehouses housing Russian attack UAVs in Russia’s Oryol region, neutralizing over 200 “Shahed” drones.
The General Staff emphasized that operations targeting critical facilities involved in attacks on Ukraine’s civilian infrastructure and population will persist.
🔹 Hungary blocked a joint appeal by EU countries to not recognize the presidential elections in Belarus, as reported by Radio Svoboda. Without unanimous support from all 27 EU nations, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Kaia Kallas issued her own statement, declaring that the January 26 elections under Lukashenko were neither free nor fair and urging Belarusian authorities to release all political prisoners.
Initially, both Hungary and Slovakia declined to sign the EU’s draft statement, but Slovakia later reversed its stance. Hungary remained the sole dissenting member state, consistent with its history of resisting EU measures against Belarus and Russia. Under Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, Hungary has opposed expanding sanctions on Russia and increasing European support for Ukraine. Additionally, Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó frequently visits Minsk, making him a unique figure among EU leaders in this regard.