Progress for Ukraine talks in Paris uncertain with US focus shifting to Venezuela
Ukraine’s allies are meeting in Paris today for key talks that could help determine the country’s security after a potential ceasefire with Russia.
But the prospects for progress are uncertain, with the Trump administration’s focus shifting to Venezuela.
Before the US capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, French president Emmanuel Macron had expressed optimism about the latest gathering of so-called “Coalition of the Willing” nations.
For months, they have been exploring how to deter any future Russian aggression should it agree to stop fighting Ukraine.
But whether that’s still achievable from today’s gathering isn’t so clear now, as Trump deals with the aftermath of his decision to affect leadership change in Venezuela.
Arpan Rai6 January 2026 06:08
White House says Witkoff and Kushner to represent US at Ukraine talks
President Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff and his son-in-law Jared Kushner will represent the United States at talks on Ukraine in Paris today, a White House official said.
French president Emmanuel Macron’s office said the US delegation was initially set to be led by secretary of state Marco Rubio, who changed his plans for reasons related to the military intervention in Venezuela.
Before the US military operation targeting Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro, Witkoff had indicated progress in talks about protecting and reassuring Ukraine.
Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner and special envoy Steve Witkoff during their meeting in Moscow last month (Sputnik)
Arpan Rai6 January 2026 05:32
Ukrainian drone attack kills one in Russia’s Tver region
At least one person was killed and two were injured as a result of a Ukrainian drone attack in Russia’s Tver region, the regional governor’s office said this morning.
Drone debris hit a ninth-floor apartment in Tver and sparked a fire that was later extinguished, while residents of neighbouring flats were evacuated, the office said, citing the region’s acting governor Vitaly Korolev.
Arpan Rai6 January 2026 05:27
Russia has been targeting US businesses in Ukraine, says minister
Russian forces are targeting US businesses in Ukraine, the country’s foreign minister said after a strike on major US agricultural producer Bunge in the southeastern city of Dnipro.
“This attack was not a mistake, it was deliberate, as the Russians attempted to strike this facility multiple times,” Andrii Sybiha wrote on X.
“Russia has been targeting American businesses in Ukraine systemically,” he said.
Sybiha said the attack demonstrated Russian president Vladimir Putin’s “complete disregard for US-led peace efforts in Ukraine.
Arpan Rai6 January 2026 05:06
Watch: Zelensky claims Russia lost 35,000 military personnel in DecemberZelensky claims Russia lost 35,000 military personnel in December
Arpan Rai6 January 2026 04:49
Watch: Russia calls on US to ‘immediately release’ Venezuela’s Maduro at UN Security Council
Russia has called on the US to immediately release Maduro during a meeting of the UN Security Council.
The UNSC met after the US captured the Venezuelan president in a move UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said set a “dangerous precedent”.
Russia backed Colombia in requesting the meeting of the 15-member council, diplomats said.
Russia calls on US to ‘immediately release’ Venezuela’s Maduro at UN Security Council
Arpan Rai6 January 2026 04:45
Kim Jong Un inspects memorial for soldiers who died in Russia mission
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and his daughter Ju Ae inspected the construction of a memorial for North Korean troops who died fighting overseas, state media KCNA reported today.
Under a mutual defence pact with Moscow, Pyongyang sent around 14,000 soldiers to fight alongside Russian troops in Ukraine.
At least 6,000 North Korean of those soldiers died, according to estimates from South Korean, Western and Ukrainian sources.
Kim described the dead soldiers as “heroes… who sacrificed themselves without hesitation”, saying “no one in the world can overcome such an army that is absolutely loyal to the orders of the party”.
He took part in tree-planting for the memorial with Ju Ae, who wore a red muffler while shoveling earth with her father, KCNA photos showed.
North Korea’s deployment of troops to Russia’s Kursk region represents the first and only significant involvement of ground troops sent by a foreign state to the Russia-Ukraine frontline to date.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un delivering a speech (KCNA)
Arpan Rai6 January 2026 04:31
Ukrainian drone debris sparks fire at industrial facility in Russia’s Lipetsk
Russian officials said Ukrainian drone debris sparked a fire at an industrial facility in the early hours today in Russia’s Lipetsk region, with no casualties reported.
Regional governor Igor Artamonov said the fire broke out in the Usmansky district and that emergency services were working at the scene.
Arpan Rai6 January 2026 04:23
Watch: Firefighters evacuate Kyiv hospital hit in Russian strikeFirefighters evacuate Kyiv hospital hit in Russian strike
Arpan Rai6 January 2026 04:00
Zelensky hires Canada’s ex-finance minister as economic adviser
Volodymyr Zelensky announced the appointment of Canada’s former deputy prime minister Chrystia Freeland as Ukraine’s economic development adviser, in a bid to bolster the war-torn nation’s “internal resilience”.
He described the senior Canadian official as an expert with “significant experience in attracting investment and carrying out economic transformations”.
The Zelensky administration is looking to strengthen its war-battered economy, including through projects in partnership with the US and other countries.
Freeland, who is of Ukrainian heritage and is a strong critic of Russian president Vladimir Putin, is a former journalist and Canadian lawmaker.
Besides being a former deputy prime minister, she also served as Canada’s minister of international trade, foreign minister and finance minister, and helped negotiate trade agreements with both Europe and the US.
The Harvard University graduate has served as Canada’s special representative for the reconstruction of Ukraine – a position outside the Cabinet – in addition to her responsibilities as a lawmaker.
Chrystia Freeland has previously served as Canada’s special representative for the reconstruction of Ukraine (AP)
Arpan Rai6 January 2026 03:22