International Relations
The US will block Venezuelan oil for at least two more months, relying on economic pressure
Washington will focus on the "quarantine" of Venezuelan oil over the next two months. The United States is increasing sanctions pressure on the regime of Nicolas Maduro and building up its military presence in the Caribbean
False generals' reports convinced Putin that he was winning the war against Ukraine
Russian commanders, according to Western sources, are presenting an overly positive picture of the frontline to the Kremlin. As an example, they cite the statement about the alleged complete capture of Kupyansk, which was denied by the Ukrainian side
Poland to resume production of anti-personnel mines and plans to mine eastern border
Warsaw is preparing to produce anti-personnel mines for the first time since the Cold War and deploy them along the border with Belarus and Russia as part of the East Shield programme. Poland's withdrawal from the Ottawa Convention is due to enter into force on 20 February 2026
Venezuela accuses the US of blackmail over the seizure of oil tankers
At an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council, Caracas accused the United States of blackmail and violation of international law after the seizure of Venezuelan oil tankers and the announcement of a naval blockade
Secret conversations between Putin and Bush from 2001-2008
The US has released full transcripts of meetings and telephone conversations between Vladimir Putin and George W. Bush. Putin actually asked Bush to admit Russia to NATO and complained about the loss of control over the "artificial" state of Ukraine
Venezuela criminalises seizure of oil tankers after US actions
The Venezuelan parliament has passed a law that provides for up to 20 years in prison for facilitating the hijacking of oil tankers. The decision comes after the US seized two vessels carrying Venezuelan oil and a dispute escalated at the UN
Pentagon: China's rapid military build-up increases US vulnerability
The Pentagon said that China's rapid and large-scale military build-up, including its nuclear arsenal, is making the United States increasingly vulnerable and increasing threats around Taiwan and in the Pacific
China calls on the US to lift restrictions on drone supplies and threatens to retaliate
Beijing opposed the inclusion of foreign drone systems in the US blacklist and called on Washington to immediately lift the bans, calling them protectionism and market distortion
Rutte urges NATO not to weaken support for Ukraine and to speed up rearmament
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said that threats from Russia are growing and called on the Allies to implement the decision to increase defence spending to 5 per cent of GDP and to continue to fully support Ukraine
Poland will not use force to evict Russians from closed consulate in Gdansk
Poland has decided not to forcefully expel Russian diplomats from the Russian consulate in Gdansk after it was closed. Control over the facility is to be regained through the courts, a process that could take years.
Beijing accuses the US of using the Chinese missile issue to build up nuclear forces
China said that the United States was using China's ICBM deployment claims as a pretext to modernise its own nuclear arsenal and called on Washington to fulfil its nuclear disarmament commitments.
Estonian Foreign Minister warns Russia of tough response in case of border violation
Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tahkna said that if Russian troops without insignia appear on the territory of the country, they will be eliminated. He also warned against trusting the Kremlin and recalled Russia's hybrid attacks in Europe
