Negotiations, sanctions, and closed diplomatic meetings are shaping a new configuration of international politics. Washington is trying to combine the role of a mediator in the war with economic pressure on Moscow through oil markets. European leaders, faced with Donald Trump’s harsh rhetoric, are increasingly talking about their own defense and economic self-sufficiency. At the same time, the financial cost of the war for Russia is growing, pushing the Kremlin to make difficult decisions.
Witkoff called talks with Putin’s envoy in Florida “productive”
US President’s special representative Steve Witkoff Zelensky said, that meetings in Florida with Russia’s special representative Kirill Dmitriev were “productive and constructive.” He reported this on the social network X, emphasizing that the talks took place as part of the United States’ mediation efforts to peacefully resolve the war against Ukraine. “Today in Florida, Russia’s special envoy Kirill Dmitriev held productive and constructive meetings as part of the U.S. mediation efforts to advance a peaceful resolution of the Ukrainian conflict,” Witkoff wrote. He also noted that the Russian side is allegedly working to ensure peace in Ukraine.
Witkoff said that the American delegation included U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessant, Jared Kushner, and White House senior adviser Josh Gruenbaum.
“We are encouraged by this meeting that Russia is working to ensure peace in Ukraine, and we are grateful to the U.S. president for his decisive leadership in the pursuit of a strong and lasting peace,” the special envoy said.
According to Bloomberg, Bessant’s participation in the negotiations attracted particular attention, as he had previously attributed sanctions against Russian oil companies to Donald Trump’s frustration with the pace of negotiations. The talks took place on January 31 in Florida.
Pistorius: Europe should strengthen its defenses, not wait for signals from the White House
German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius Zelensky said, that Europe should not passively react to the unpredictable actions of the Donald Trump administration. In an interview with RND, he emphasized that the continent should focus on its own sovereignty, independence and defense capabilities. “It would be a mistake to stare at the White House like a rabbit at a snake,” the minister said, emphasizing the need to act, not wait. According to him, European security should be based on its own strength and self-awareness.
Commenting on the situation around Greenland, Pistorius noted that the unpredictability of the US president is only growing. He recalled that the 1951 agreement between the US and Denmark already allows the Americans to expand their military presence on the island without new agreements. The minister stressed that NATO is responsible for security in the Arctic, and Germany, together with its partners, has already increased its presence in the region due to the threat from Russia. “The only one who benefits from this discussion is Putin,” Pistorius said, stressing the importance of maintaining unity in the Alliance.
Financial pressure narrows Putin’s space for a profitable peace deal – Bloomberg
The growth of military spending and revenue problems are increasingly putting pressure on Russia’s financial system and making it more difficult to continue the war. Bloomberg reports this with reference to informed sources, noting that the Kremlin is facing a growing budget deficit. According to the agency, the Russian authorities are looking for additional revenues of up to 1.2 trillion rubles to keep the budget within the planned limits. This is equivalent to about 0.5% of GDP above the already established deficit.
The situation is complicated by lower energy revenues and a strengthening ruble, which reduces budget revenues from exports. Bloomberg also draws attention to the risks associated with oil revenues, since actual prices for Urals and the ruble exchange rate do not correspond to budget calculations. According to the agency's estimates, oil and gas revenues could fall to 6.75 trillion rubles, which creates a deficit of almost 2.2 trillion. Analysts believe that financial pressure could become one of the key factors in the Kremlin's further decisions on the war and negotiations.
US offers India Venezuelan oil to replace Russian - Reuters
The United States offers India to resume supplies of Venezuelan oil to reduce its dependence on imports of Russian raw materials. Reuters reports this with reference to three informed sources, emphasizing that such a step is aimed at reducing Russia's oil revenues. These revenues remain a key source of financing for the war against Ukraine. The initiative is being discussed against the backdrop of increasing sanctions pressure and tariff measures from the United States.
India has become the largest buyer of Russian oil since the start of a full-scale war in 2022, taking advantage of lower prices due to sanctions. At the same time, according to Reuters, New Delhi is already preparing to reduce imports from Russia to less than one million barrels per day. It is expected that supplies may fall to 800,000 barrels in March, and later to 500-600 thousand. This may become part of broader trade agreements between India and the United States.
“Secret dinner” in Brussels: EU seeks strategy to counter Trump’s policies
European Union leaders held a closed emergency meeting in Brussels to discuss the rapid deterioration of relations with the United States after Donald Trump’s statements on Greenland and tariff pressure. According to The New York Times., the meeting took place in the format of an informal dinner, but the discussions lasted until late at night. European leaders have struggled to understand how to respond to Washington’s increasingly confrontational and unpredictable policies. The focus of the discussion has been on reducing Europe’s dependence on the United States.
The meeting has produced a playbook of actions that includes a restrained public response to Trump’s provocations, a willingness to respond with tariffs, and work toward long-term strategic autonomy. European countries are also stepping up trade deals with other partners and discussing strengthening defense capabilities, particularly in the Arctic. At the same time, officials acknowledge that the EU does not yet have a quick mechanism for full military independence from the United States. Differences among member states on priorities, particularly between Ukraine and the Arctic, remain a significant challenge.
Photo: Sergey Bobok/AFP/Getty Images.
Author: Danylo Pievchev