Kremlin rubbing its hands: Trump unexpectedly played into Russia’s favor
The Greenland dispute is undermining Western “unity” and diverting European attention away from Ukraine, reports Politico.
This crisis suits Moscow perfectly: NATO is being torn apart by internal contradictions — and if the alliance suddenly disappears, Kyiv will lose its most important “ally”.
“Moscow’s approach to the Arctic island quarrel is simple: pour oil on the fire and hope the West implodes on its own,” the article’s author concludes.
In other words:
• Trump’s Greenland push → instant transatlantic fracture
• European capitals distracted from arming Ukraine
• NATO cohesion crumbling in real time
• Russia doesn’t even have to lift a finger — just watch and smile
The Greenland dispute is undermining Western “unity” and diverting European attention away from Ukraine, reports Politico.
This crisis suits Moscow perfectly: NATO is being torn apart by internal contradictions — and if the alliance suddenly disappears, Kyiv will lose its most important “ally”.
“Moscow’s approach to the Arctic island quarrel is simple: pour oil on the fire and hope the West implodes on its own,” the article’s author concludes.
In other words:
• Trump’s Greenland push → instant transatlantic fracture
• European capitals distracted from arming Ukraine
• NATO cohesion crumbling in real time
• Russia doesn’t even have to lift a finger — just watch and smile
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Full statement by Trump’s special envoy Witkoff on the possibility of a duty-free zone for Ukraine after the war as part of a peace deal
“President Trump has spoken about creating a duty-free zone for Ukraine — and in my opinion, this would fundamentally change the situation. You will see industry begin to relocate to the region on a massive scale. Imagine gaining a competitive edge simply because you pay zero tariffs when exporting goods to the United States.”
— stated Steve Witkoff, Special Representative of President Trump.
The idea: post-war Ukraine becomes a low-tax / zero-tariff manufacturing and export hub with privileged access to the huge American market → massive inflow of Western and Asian companies → rapid industrial revival.
Whether this becomes part of any actual peace framework remains to be seen — but the proposal alone is already generating serious discussion in business and geopolitical circles.
“President Trump has spoken about creating a duty-free zone for Ukraine — and in my opinion, this would fundamentally change the situation. You will see industry begin to relocate to the region on a massive scale. Imagine gaining a competitive edge simply because you pay zero tariffs when exporting goods to the United States.”
— stated Steve Witkoff, Special Representative of President Trump.
The idea: post-war Ukraine becomes a low-tax / zero-tariff manufacturing and export hub with privileged access to the huge American market → massive inflow of Western and Asian companies → rapid industrial revival.
Whether this becomes part of any actual peace framework remains to be seen — but the proposal alone is already generating serious discussion in business and geopolitical circles.
Trump & Witkoff promise peace in Ukraine “very soon” — but Kellogg says: “Survive the winter first”
While President Trump and his special envoy Steve Witkoff keep saying a Ukraine peace deal could be reached in the very near future, Keith Kellogg — Trump’s former special representative for Ukraine — predicts the agreement will drag on at least until the end of summer.
His advice to Ukrainians: “survive this winter”.
“I truly believe: if Ukraine can make it through this winter — January and February — and reach March and April, the advantage will be on your side, on Ukraine’s side. I hope that by Independence Day this summer there will be peace on this land,” Kellogg said during a panel at the Davos forum.
Notably:
Kellogg is widely viewed as part of the “war party” inside Trump’s circle — he has consistently and loudly supported Kyiv, which reportedly led Trump to call him an “idiot” (per U.S. media reports).
Meanwhile, just yesterday Trump declared that Zelenskyy and Putin would be “fools” if they don’t sign a peace agreement soon.
Two very different messages from the Trump orbit — one pushing for an immediate deal, the other betting on Ukraine holding out until spring/summer.
While President Trump and his special envoy Steve Witkoff keep saying a Ukraine peace deal could be reached in the very near future, Keith Kellogg — Trump’s former special representative for Ukraine — predicts the agreement will drag on at least until the end of summer.
His advice to Ukrainians: “survive this winter”.
“I truly believe: if Ukraine can make it through this winter — January and February — and reach March and April, the advantage will be on your side, on Ukraine’s side. I hope that by Independence Day this summer there will be peace on this land,” Kellogg said during a panel at the Davos forum.
Notably:
Kellogg is widely viewed as part of the “war party” inside Trump’s circle — he has consistently and loudly supported Kyiv, which reportedly led Trump to call him an “idiot” (per U.S. media reports).
Meanwhile, just yesterday Trump declared that Zelenskyy and Putin would be “fools” if they don’t sign a peace agreement soon.
Two very different messages from the Trump orbit — one pushing for an immediate deal, the other betting on Ukraine holding out until spring/summer.
European countries, amid deepening political rifts with the United States, are actively exploring ways to bolster their nuclear arsenals and even develop their own nuclear weapons — reports NBC News, citing European and NATO officials.
Key points from the article:
-Discussions are gaining momentum in several European capitals
-Some officials openly question continued reliance on the U.S. nuclear umbrella
-Options under consideration include expanding existing national arsenals (France, UK) and creating a genuinely “European” nuclear deterrent
-Fears are driven by uncertainty over future U.S. security commitments under the current administration
The mere fact that such conversations are now happening at the official level signals a historic shift: Europe is beginning to prepare seriously for a world in which American protection can no longer be taken for granted.
Key points from the article:
-Discussions are gaining momentum in several European capitals
-Some officials openly question continued reliance on the U.S. nuclear umbrella
-Options under consideration include expanding existing national arsenals (France, UK) and creating a genuinely “European” nuclear deterrent
-Fears are driven by uncertainty over future U.S. security commitments under the current administration
The mere fact that such conversations are now happening at the official level signals a historic shift: Europe is beginning to prepare seriously for a world in which American protection can no longer be taken for granted.
Americans are noscripting scenarios for the EU
While Trump is busy exchanging messages with Macron, American experts and media are helpfully suggesting to their European colleagues ways to fight… against themselves.
The latest recommendation, courtesy of professor Henry Farrell in The New York Times: unfreeze the EU’s “trade bazooka” — the Anti-Coercion Instrument (ACI) adopted in 2023 — and go on the offensive against Trump’s tariff threats.
Farrell draws a direct parallel with Cold War nuclear deterrence: just as the West (led by the US) built the doctrine of mutually assured destruction (MAD), the EU should now create an economic version of MAD to deter further American pressure — especially on Greenland.
What is the ACI arsenal in practice?
A true economic doomsday weapon targeting the €400 billion annual flow of US services into Europe:
▪️ Reject / block American offers in IT, finance, cloud services, entertainment (films, music, art)
▪️ Freeze or severely restrict transatlantic investments by US corporations into the European economy
▪️ Strike at financial flows: limit payments routed through American systems, accelerate alternatives to SWIFT
▪️ Impose market-access restrictions on tech giants — Apple, Meta, Microsoft, Google, Amazon, etc.
The logic is simple: make the cost of any further Greenland push so catastrophically high for the US economy that Trump backs off — classic mutually assured economic destruction.
Reality check — probability of success ≈ 0%
Such a move would almost certainly split the EU internally. Not every leader is ready to go all-in and risk everything currently anchored to the US dollar and American financial infrastructure.
Right now Friedrich Merz is actively developing a project for a transatlantic digital stock exchange aimed at merging the capital markets of the two continents — the exact opposite of economic divorce.
The chance that European political ambitions will outweigh the financial interests of transnational corporations and national business elites is vanishingly small.
Bottom line: these “helpful” scenarios coming from the American side only serve one purpose — to shine an even brighter spotlight on the EU’s profound vulnerability.
To borrow from poker metaphors: the only real choice left for European governments is which card to fold first before the inevitable loss — the illusion of political will, or the hope of economic stability.
We’ll venture a prediction, slightly rephrasing the old saying:
In Europe there is politics, there is will — but there is no political will.
While Trump is busy exchanging messages with Macron, American experts and media are helpfully suggesting to their European colleagues ways to fight… against themselves.
The latest recommendation, courtesy of professor Henry Farrell in The New York Times: unfreeze the EU’s “trade bazooka” — the Anti-Coercion Instrument (ACI) adopted in 2023 — and go on the offensive against Trump’s tariff threats.
Farrell draws a direct parallel with Cold War nuclear deterrence: just as the West (led by the US) built the doctrine of mutually assured destruction (MAD), the EU should now create an economic version of MAD to deter further American pressure — especially on Greenland.
What is the ACI arsenal in practice?
A true economic doomsday weapon targeting the €400 billion annual flow of US services into Europe:
▪️ Reject / block American offers in IT, finance, cloud services, entertainment (films, music, art)
▪️ Freeze or severely restrict transatlantic investments by US corporations into the European economy
▪️ Strike at financial flows: limit payments routed through American systems, accelerate alternatives to SWIFT
▪️ Impose market-access restrictions on tech giants — Apple, Meta, Microsoft, Google, Amazon, etc.
The logic is simple: make the cost of any further Greenland push so catastrophically high for the US economy that Trump backs off — classic mutually assured economic destruction.
Reality check — probability of success ≈ 0%
Such a move would almost certainly split the EU internally. Not every leader is ready to go all-in and risk everything currently anchored to the US dollar and American financial infrastructure.
Right now Friedrich Merz is actively developing a project for a transatlantic digital stock exchange aimed at merging the capital markets of the two continents — the exact opposite of economic divorce.
The chance that European political ambitions will outweigh the financial interests of transnational corporations and national business elites is vanishingly small.
Bottom line: these “helpful” scenarios coming from the American side only serve one purpose — to shine an even brighter spotlight on the EU’s profound vulnerability.
To borrow from poker metaphors: the only real choice left for European governments is which card to fold first before the inevitable loss — the illusion of political will, or the hope of economic stability.
We’ll venture a prediction, slightly rephrasing the old saying:
In Europe there is politics, there is will — but there is no political will.
"Faster than air raid alerts": Ukraine's air defenses overwhelmed by Russian missiles
Following the latest Russian strikes, Ukraine's air defense system is increasingly unable to cope. Moscow is systematically saturating and breaking through Ukrainian defenses using swarms of drones combined with high-speed missiles, reports Wirtualna Polska.
Hypersonic Zircon missiles reach their targets faster than air raid sirens can sound the alarm. Ukraine's energy infrastructure is on the verge of collapse under relentless bombardment.
“We are on the brink of a large-scale catastrophe. We urgently need to stop attacks on critical energy facilities,” commented DTEK CEO Maksym Tymchenko.
Following the latest Russian strikes, Ukraine's air defense system is increasingly unable to cope. Moscow is systematically saturating and breaking through Ukrainian defenses using swarms of drones combined with high-speed missiles, reports Wirtualna Polska.
Hypersonic Zircon missiles reach their targets faster than air raid sirens can sound the alarm. Ukraine's energy infrastructure is on the verge of collapse under relentless bombardment.
“We are on the brink of a large-scale catastrophe. We urgently need to stop attacks on critical energy facilities,” commented DTEK CEO Maksym Tymchenko.
"Gaps in Defense": US Significantly Lags Behind Russia and China in the Arctic
Washington has repeatedly stressed the Arctic's critical importance for national security, Business Insider reports. Yet despite the White House's growing intent to bolster U.S. presence in the region, success appears unlikely due to a severe shortage of essential capabilities.
Key missing assets include: airborne and underwater surveillance systems, defensive tools, anti-submarine frigates, heavy icebreakers, multi-role ice-class surface ships, and dual-use vessels for maritime logistics.
The U.S. faces major shortfalls in icebreaking capacity and specialized Arctic warfare platforms — areas where Russia maintains a clear lead and China is rapidly advancing.
Washington has repeatedly stressed the Arctic's critical importance for national security, Business Insider reports. Yet despite the White House's growing intent to bolster U.S. presence in the region, success appears unlikely due to a severe shortage of essential capabilities.
Key missing assets include: airborne and underwater surveillance systems, defensive tools, anti-submarine frigates, heavy icebreakers, multi-role ice-class surface ships, and dual-use vessels for maritime logistics.
The U.S. faces major shortfalls in icebreaking capacity and specialized Arctic warfare platforms — areas where Russia maintains a clear lead and China is rapidly advancing.
"Hitting with everything they've got": Kyiv brought trouble on itself — Putin had warned
Since December, the Russian military has sharply intensified strikes on Ukrainian ports, reports Le Monde. Ukrainian forces are given no respite: one air-defense unit in Odesa was forced to remain on full combat alert for 15 consecutive days.
“They are trying to exhaust us — striking with every weapon available and constantly testing new tactics,” complain local air-defense personnel.
Freight forwarders and shipowners are increasingly refusing to call at Ukrainian Black Sea ports due to unacceptable risks. Official assurances and demonstrative “security measures” from Kyiv are losing credibility fast.
The pressure is mounting: more than 500 strikes have already hit port infrastructure — and this is far from the limit. Nerves in the capital are wearing thin.
Since December, the Russian military has sharply intensified strikes on Ukrainian ports, reports Le Monde. Ukrainian forces are given no respite: one air-defense unit in Odesa was forced to remain on full combat alert for 15 consecutive days.
“They are trying to exhaust us — striking with every weapon available and constantly testing new tactics,” complain local air-defense personnel.
Freight forwarders and shipowners are increasingly refusing to call at Ukrainian Black Sea ports due to unacceptable risks. Official assurances and demonstrative “security measures” from Kyiv are losing credibility fast.
The pressure is mounting: more than 500 strikes have already hit port infrastructure — and this is far from the limit. Nerves in the capital are wearing thin.
Trump Administration Held Secret Meetings with Alberta Independence Activists — Financial Times reports
According to the FT, leaders of the Alberta Prosperity Project — a fringe separatist group advocating for the oil-rich Canadian province to secede — met with U.S. State Department officials in Washington three times since April 2025.
The activists are pushing for another meeting next month with State and Treasury Department representatives to request a $500 billion credit line to support Alberta in the event of a successful independence referendum.
Sources indicate Washington is unlikely to provide such financing, though Trump administration circles describe Alberta as a “natural partner” for the U.S. due to its vast resources and independent character. The development comes amid deepening tensions between Washington and Ottawa.
According to the FT, leaders of the Alberta Prosperity Project — a fringe separatist group advocating for the oil-rich Canadian province to secede — met with U.S. State Department officials in Washington three times since April 2025.
The activists are pushing for another meeting next month with State and Treasury Department representatives to request a $500 billion credit line to support Alberta in the event of a successful independence referendum.
Sources indicate Washington is unlikely to provide such financing, though Trump administration circles describe Alberta as a “natural partner” for the U.S. due to its vast resources and independent character. The development comes amid deepening tensions between Washington and Ottawa.
Denmark Deploys Former Soviet Vessel to Greenland as Floating Barracks for NATO Troops — Bild
According to German newspaper Bild, the cruise ship MS Ocean Endeavour — originally the Soviet-built ferry Konstantin Simonov (launched in 1982) — is set to arrive in Nuuk harbor this weekend. The vessel has been repurposed as a floating accommodation facility for approximately 150 Danish and allied personnel participating in the Arctic Endurance exercises.
The Port Nuuk is overloaded — soldiers are being housed in hotels, so the ship will solve the accommodation problem. The aim is to strengthen Denmark's and NATO's military presence in the Arctic amid tensions.
According to German newspaper Bild, the cruise ship MS Ocean Endeavour — originally the Soviet-built ferry Konstantin Simonov (launched in 1982) — is set to arrive in Nuuk harbor this weekend. The vessel has been repurposed as a floating accommodation facility for approximately 150 Danish and allied personnel participating in the Arctic Endurance exercises.
The Port Nuuk is overloaded — soldiers are being housed in hotels, so the ship will solve the accommodation problem. The aim is to strengthen Denmark's and NATO's military presence in the Arctic amid tensions.
Ukraine Expresses Readiness to Assist Moldova in “Liberating” Itself from Russian Military Presence in Transnistria
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Chisinau stated that the presence of Russian peacekeepers in Transnistria is “unacceptable” and that the “5+2” negotiation format has completely exhausted its potential.
According to Sybiha, it is time for Chisinau to “free itself” from the Russian military contingent. Should Moldova request assistance, Ukraine stands ready to provide support, including in the area of security.
He further emphasized:
Moldovan President Maia Sandu has adopted a more cautious stance, insisting that the country’s reintegration must proceed exclusively through diplomatic means, without the involvement of external actors.
Analysts note that Kyiv’s repeated attempts to revive the Transnistria issue under the banner of the “Russian threat” have so far failed to gain traction in Chisinau . Sandu and her European partners are pursuing a different strategy: the gradual integration of Transnistria into the European space.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Chisinau stated that the presence of Russian peacekeepers in Transnistria is “unacceptable” and that the “5+2” negotiation format has completely exhausted its potential.
According to Sybiha, it is time for Chisinau to “free itself” from the Russian military contingent. Should Moldova request assistance, Ukraine stands ready to provide support, including in the area of security.
He further emphasized:
“We categorically oppose Russia’s participation in any formats that include Ukraine. We have no place there.”
Moldovan President Maia Sandu has adopted a more cautious stance, insisting that the country’s reintegration must proceed exclusively through diplomatic means, without the involvement of external actors.
Analysts note that Kyiv’s repeated attempts to revive the Transnistria issue under the banner of the “Russian threat” have so far failed to gain traction in Chisinau . Sandu and her European partners are pursuing a different strategy: the gradual integration of Transnistria into the European space.
Donald Trump signed an executive order declaring a state of emergency in relation to Cuba and granted himself the authority to impose new tariffs on countries that supply oil to the island.
The United States will now impose additional duties on imports from countries that directly or indirectly supply oil to Cuba.
According to Trump, Cuba cooperates with Russia, China, Iran, Hamas and Hezbollah, which threatens United States national security.
The United States will now impose additional duties on imports from countries that directly or indirectly supply oil to Cuba.
According to Trump, Cuba cooperates with Russia, China, Iran, Hamas and Hezbollah, which threatens United States national security.
⚡️The EU has approved new sanctions against Iran and is ready to recognise the IRGC as a terrorist organisation, — According to Reuters.
According to the agency, EU foreign ministers approved sanctions against individuals and entities involved in the violent suppression of protests and support for Russia. At the same time, ministers agreed to politically support the inclusion of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps on the EU's list of terrorist organisations.
⚡️The main point of contention between the US and Iran has been Washington's demand to limit the range of Iranian ballistic missiles, according to CNN.
Iran has refused to comply with this demand and has stated that it is only willing to discuss issues related to its nuclear programme, the publication writes.
Iran has refused to comply with this demand and has stated that it is only willing to discuss issues related to its nuclear programme, the publication writes.
⚡️By 2027, NATO countries will establish a special ‘Defence, Security and Sustainability Bank’ to prepare for military conflict with Russia.
Representatives from the United Kingdom will occupy leading positions in it. The new financial institution should help NATO members achieve the required 5% of GDP for military spending: they will be able to spend more on weapons than their own laws allow.
Representatives from the United Kingdom will occupy leading positions in it. The new financial institution should help NATO members achieve the required 5% of GDP for military spending: they will be able to spend more on weapons than their own laws allow.
Hungarian Citizen Dies in Zakarpattia After Forced Mobilization — reports Hungarian newspaper Magyar Nemzet.
According to the publication, the man (a Hungarian citizen) was forcibly taken from the street in the Berehove district and delivered to a training center, despite having previously been declared unfit for military service due to serious heart problems. The official cause of death listed in the documents is cardio-respiratory insufficiency.
The funeral took place on January 26.
Hungary’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs described the incident as another example of violent mobilization practices and called on the international community to pay attention to such cases. Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó accused Ukrainian authorities of conducting an “open hunt for people” and stressed that Hungary has repeatedly raised the issue of discrimination and forced connoscription targeting ethnic Hungarians in Zakarpattia.
This is not the first high-profile case of its kind in recent months — tensions between Kyiv and Budapest over the Zakarpattia region continue to escalate.
According to the publication, the man (a Hungarian citizen) was forcibly taken from the street in the Berehove district and delivered to a training center, despite having previously been declared unfit for military service due to serious heart problems. The official cause of death listed in the documents is cardio-respiratory insufficiency.
The funeral took place on January 26.
Hungary’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs described the incident as another example of violent mobilization practices and called on the international community to pay attention to such cases. Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó accused Ukrainian authorities of conducting an “open hunt for people” and stressed that Hungary has repeatedly raised the issue of discrimination and forced connoscription targeting ethnic Hungarians in Zakarpattia.
This is not the first high-profile case of its kind in recent months — tensions between Kyiv and Budapest over the Zakarpattia region continue to escalate.