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Estonia Warns of Russian Military Buildup

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Estonia’s foreign intelligence service has reported that Russia is rebuilding its military forces in response to Europe’s rearmament, though it does not plan to attack any NATO state in the near term. According to the report, Moscow aims to delay and hinder Europe’s ability to conduct independent military action, viewing European rearmament over the next two to three years as a significant concern.

The intelligence service highlighted Russia’s rapid expansion of ammunition production, which allows for stockpiling supplies for potential future conflicts while continuing operations in Ukraine. Any hypothetical attack on Estonia could involve coordinated drone operations across land, air, and sea. Estonia emphasized the need for the continent to invest in defense and internal security to deter potential aggression.

The report also noted Russia’s continued view of the U.S. as its main adversary while attempting to use diplomatic channels to ease sanctions and influence the Ukraine conflict. It highlighted Moscow’s strategic alignment with China, which could use Russian cooperation to challenge Western influence globally, particularly in the context of energy and military technology collaboration.

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Macron Urges Europe to Assert Global Power

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French President Emmanuel Macron has called on Europe to step up as a global power, warning that the continent faces a “wake-up call” amid rising challenges from China, Russia, and the United States. Speaking to European media ahead of an EU summit in Brussels, Macron emphasized the need for the EU to strengthen its economy, defense, and democratic systems, arguing that Europe must act cohesively to secure its strategic interests.

Macron proposed EU-wide mutualized loans, or “eurobonds for the future,” to fund industrial and technological investment. He highlighted the growing global demand for such shared European debt, while urging member states to protect key industries like security, clean energy, and artificial intelligence without resorting to protectionism.

The French leader stressed Europe’s vulnerability in a changing world order, citing climate change, dwindling U.S. security guarantees, and China’s rising influence. Macron urged the 27-member EU to embrace its collective strength of 450 million people, insisting that becoming a global power is the natural continuation of the European project to maintain peace and build a robust market.

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US Pushes for Ukraine-Russia Peace by June Amid Ongoing Attacks

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that the US aims to end the war with Russia by June, inviting both sides to hold talks in the United States next week, likely in Miami. Zelensky confirmed Ukraine’s participation but noted that difficult issues, including territorial concessions, remain unresolved. For the first time, leaders may be involved in trilateral discussions, though preparatory steps are required before this can happen.

Meanwhile, Russia continues to target Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, causing widespread blackouts amid freezing temperatures. More than 400 drones and 40 missiles struck power plants, substations, and transmission lines, affecting regions such as Lviv, Ivano-Frankivsk, and Rivne. Thousands of Ukrainians remain without electricity, forcing many to take shelter in metro stations. Ukraine has also retaliated with strikes on Russian military and industrial facilities in Tver and Saratov regions.

Since Russia’s full-scale invasion nearly four years ago, more than 55,000 Ukrainian soldiers have been killed, with nearly 160,000 Russian military casualties confirmed. Zelensky emphasized that Moscow should not be allowed to leverage the harsh winter to pressure Ukraine. Despite ongoing diplomacy, the conflict continues to inflict severe humanitarian and infrastructural damage.

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Italy Thwarts Russian Cyber-Attacks Ahead of Winter Olympics

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Italy has successfully blocked cyber-attacks of Russian origin targeting websites linked to the Winter Olympics, hotels in host town Cortina d’Ampezzo, and foreign ministry facilities, including an embassy in Washington. Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani confirmed the attacks were prevented before the Games officially begin on Friday.

Cortina d’Ampezzo, one of five Olympic host clusters, will stage alpine skiing, biathlon, curling, and sliding events. The attacks were aimed at disrupting digital operations surrounding the Games, but Italy’s cybersecurity measures ensured no critical systems were compromised.

Meanwhile, debates continue over the participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes in international competitions. Although both nations remain excluded from the Olympics, 13 Russian and seven Belarusian competitors have been cleared to compete as neutrals, amid discussions on potential reinstatement for future Games, including the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.

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Ukraine Deactivates Russian Starlink Terminals, Disrupting Assaults

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Ukrainian forces have deactivated Starlink internet terminals being used by the Russian military on the battlefield, a move officials described as a major setback for Moscow. The deactivation disrupted Russian assault operations across multiple areas, affecting thousands of terminals that had previously enabled mobile and hard-to-intercept communications.

Ukraine coordinated with SpaceX to block unauthorized use of Starlink by Russian forces and established a “white list” of Ukrainian terminals to ensure uninterrupted service for its own operations. Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov confirmed that Russian terminals had already been blocked, with verification ongoing. SpaceX has not officially commented, though Elon Musk indicated prior measures to stop Russian use were effective.

The impact on Russian forces has been severe, according to Ukrainian advisers, with command and communications largely collapsing on the frontlines. Kyiv continues to rely on tens of thousands of Starlink connections for battlefield communication and drone operations, highlighting the strategic importance of satellite-based internet in modern warfare.

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Russian Comedian Jailed for Nearly Six Years Over Joke About War Veteran

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A Russian court has sentenced stand-up comedian Artemy Ostanin to nearly six years in prison for inciting hatred after a joke he made about a war veteran sparked public outrage. Ostanin was handed a jail term of five years and nine months along with a fine of 300,000 roubles, a Reuters reporter said, in one of the latest cases targeting speech deemed offensive to the military during Russia’s war in Ukraine.

The conviction stemmed from a March 2025 performance in which Ostanin joked about a war veteran who had lost his legs to a mine and was using a skateboard to get around, as well as referring to a wheelchair in derogatory terms. A video of the performance later went viral on Telegram after being shared by nationalist groups and military bloggers, who accused the comedian of mocking veterans fighting for the country.

Ostanin was also found guilty of offending the feelings of Christians over a separate joke about Jesus, drawing criticism from Orthodox nationalist organisations. After facing mounting backlash, he attempted to flee Russia but was arrested in Belarus and returned to Moscow to stand trial. Speaking in court after the verdict, Ostanin said he did not accept the ruling, calling the punishment excessive.

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Pope Leo Urges Russia and US to Renew New START Treaty

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Pope Leo XIV called on Russia and the United States to extend the New START nuclear arms control treaty, which limits the number of strategic nuclear weapons deployed by each country. Speaking at his weekly audience at the Vatican, the pope emphasized that the current global situation “calls for doing everything possible to avert a new arms race.”

Signed in 2010, the treaty is set to expire on Thursday. Russian President Vladimir Putin proposed an informal one-year extension in September, but as of Wednesday, U.S. President Donald Trump had not responded, raising concerns about the potential lapse of the agreement.

The pope described the renewal as urgent, stressing the need to replace “the logic of fear and distrust with a shared ethic” that prioritizes the common good. Letting the treaty expire would mark the end of over 50 years of nuclear weapons constraints, a significant step in global arms control.

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Musk Says Starlink Curbs on Russian Use Are Showing Results

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Elon Musk said on Sunday that steps taken by SpaceX to prevent Russia from using its Starlink satellite internet system without authorization appear to have been effective. His comments came after Ukraine reported finding Starlink terminals on long-range drones used in recent Russian attacks, raising concerns over misuse of the technology in the conflict.

Ukraine’s military relies heavily on Starlink for battlefield communications and for operating certain drone missions. Kyiv said it is working closely with SpaceX to stop any Russian access to the system. Posting on X, Musk said the measures introduced by the company had worked so far and added that SpaceX would take further action if needed.

Ukrainian Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov said authorities are now developing a system that would allow only authorised Starlink terminals to function within Ukraine. He said initial steps had already delivered quick results in countering Russian drone operations. SpaceX has previously said it does not sell or ship Starlink to Russia and does not conduct any business with the Russian government or military.

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Russia, Ukraine Pause Energy Attacks but Clash Over Duration

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Russia and Ukraine said they have halted strikes on each other’s energy infrastructure, following a U.S.-backed de-escalation push, but sharply differed on how long the moratorium should last. The Kremlin said President Vladimir Putin agreed to stop attacks on Ukrainian energy targets until February 1, while President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said the pause took effect from Friday midnight and should last a full week. Both sides confirmed there were no energy strikes over the past 24 hours, though no formal ceasefire has been agreed.

Ukraine accused Russia of shifting tactics, saying Moscow had instead intensified attacks on logistics, including rail facilities, even as temperatures in Kyiv are forecast to plunge to minus 26 degrees Celsius. Hundreds of residential buildings in the capital remain without heating after weeks of earlier strikes. Zelenskiy also said Ukraine refrained from hitting Russian energy facilities in response, but warned that air defences have been weakened due to delays in receiving U.S.-supplied Patriot missiles.

Diplomatic efforts remain uncertain, with Zelenskiy saying it was unclear whether a planned meeting between Russian, Ukrainian and U.S. negotiators would go ahead as scheduled. Major sticking points include Russia’s demand that Ukraine cede territory in eastern regions and control over the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant. Despite limited progress in talks, fighting continues across the front lines, and many Ukrainians remain sceptical that the temporary energy truce will lead to a broader or lasting ceasefire.

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ECB Should Brace for New Shocks, Including Russian Threats: Simkus

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European Central Bank policymaker and Lithuanian central bank governor Gediminas Simkus said the ECB’s current policy stance is appropriate, with inflation at target and interest rates in a neutral zone, but warned that fresh shocks could disrupt this balance. Speaking to Reuters, Simkus highlighted persistent global uncertainty driven by geopolitical tensions, particularly the risk of Russian military aggression in eastern Europe, alongside trade frictions and other external pressures.

Simkus stressed that the ECB must ensure its systems are resilient to such risks, including safeguarding cash distribution and payment infrastructure in case of heightened security threats. He noted that countries bordering Russia face unique challenges, ranging from cyberattacks to airspace incursions, and argued that central banks must remain operationally prepared. He also added that banks need to be ready for longer-term risks such as climate change.

On monetary policy, Simkus said interest rates are firmly on hold at the ECB’s February meeting, as modest inflation fluctuations around 2% are normal. However, he cautioned against signalling future moves, saying the next rate change could equally be a hike or a cut. Emphasising flexibility, he said the ECB should avoid overreacting to short-term data swings and instead focus on broader economic trends, as shocks tend to affect growth before feeding into inflation.

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