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Ukraine said the first day of US-mediated talks with Russia in Abu Dhabi was productive, with negotiations set to continue and expectations of a near-term prisoner exchange.

This comes as the UN warned that the expiry of the New START treaty leaves the US and Russia without binding nuclear limits, while Washington and Tehran confirmed nuclear talks will take place in Oman.

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Top 5 Stories

1️⃣ 🇺🇦🇷🇺 Ukraine says first day of peace talks productive: Ukraine said the first day of US-mediated talks with Russia in Abu Dhabi was “substantive and productive,” with negotiations set to continue and expectations of a near-term prisoner exchange. No breakthrough was announced, with Russia saying military operations would continue until its demands are met and Ukraine rejecting territorial concessions.

2️⃣ 🇺🇳🇷🇺🇺🇸 UN warns of grave moment as US-Russia nuclear treaty expires: UN Secretary General António Guterres warned that the expiry of the New START treaty leaves the world without binding limits on US and Russian nuclear arsenals for the first time in over 50 years. He urged both sides to urgently negotiate a successor agreement as Russia and the US confirmed they are no longer bound by treaty limits, while US officials said any future deal should include China.

3️⃣ 🇺🇸🇮🇷 US-Iran nuclear talks confirmed in Oman: Iran’s foreign minister said nuclear talks with the United States will take place in Oman on Friday after earlier uncertainty over format and location. US officials confirmed participation and said discussions would cover Iran’s nuclear programme and other issues, though details of a proposed framework were attributed to unnamed sources and not officially confirmed.

4️⃣ 🇬🇧🇺🇸 Starmer and Trump agree to safeguard Chagos military base: UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and President Trump agreed to continue working together to ensure the future operation of the joint UK-US base on Diego Garcia during a phone call. Downing Street said both recognised the base’s strategic importance as the UK defended plans to cede sovereignty to Mauritius while leasing back the facility despite political controversy.

5️⃣ 🇪🇺🇷🇺 Russia suspected of intercepting EU satellites: European officials believe Russian space vehicles approached and lingered near key EU geostationary satellites, intercepting unencrypted communications and raising concerns about interference or sabotage. The incidents have heightened fears over hybrid warfare and prompted renewed calls for greater European investment in space defence.

Major Story

🇺🇸🇨🇳 Trump and Xi discuss trade and tensions

US President Donald Trump said he held an “excellent” phone call with Chinese President Xi Jinping covering trade, energy, Taiwan, Iran, and Russia’s war in Ukraine, describing both bilateral ties and his personal relationship with Xi as “extremely good.” The call took place hours after Xi spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin, with Beijing and Moscow pledging closer ties amid what they described as a turbulent international environment. Trump said discussions included Iran, where he has threatened military action if Tehran does not make concessions, though he provided no further details. 

A Chinese government readout said the leaders agreed differences could be managed through equality and respect, while stressing that Taiwan remains the most important issue in US-China relations and urging US caution on arms sales to the island. Trump also said China agreed to significantly increase purchases of US soya beans in coming seasons, a claim not mentioned in the Chinese account of the call.

Other News

1️⃣ 🇦🇷🇺🇸 Argentina seeks extradition of Maduro from US: An Argentine judge formally requested the extradition of former Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro from the United States to face crimes against humanity charges linked to alleged torture and enforced disappearances. The request cites universal jurisdiction and a bilateral treaty, though US compliance is considered unlikely as Maduro faces separate federal charges.

2️⃣ 🇺🇸 Trump launches $12bn critical minerals stockpile: President Trump announced the creation of a nearly $12bn critical minerals reserve, Project Vault, aimed at protecting US manufacturers from supply disruptions and reducing reliance on China. The initiative will be funded by a government-backed loan and private capital, with officials saying it could involve partner countries and generate returns over 15 years.

3️⃣ 🇷🇺 Russia’s oil and gas revenues plunge to Putin-era low: Russia’s oil and gas tax revenues fell 50% year on year in January to $5.1bn, the lowest level of Putin’s presidency, accounting for just 2% of GDP. The drop was driven by lower extraction taxes, reduced export duties and sharply discounted oil prices well below budget assumptions.

4️⃣ 🇳🇬 More than 170 killed in attack in Nigeria: At least 170 people were killed in an attack on the village of Woro in Nigeria’s Kwara state, with officials saying gunmen bound residents and executed them after demanding adherence to Sharia law. Security forces have been deployed to search for survivors, though authorities said casualty figures remain unconfirmed.

5️⃣ 🇪🇸 Musk attacks Spain PM over social media ban plan: Spain’s prime minister said the government plans to ban under-16s from social media and tighten controls on harmful content to protect children. Elon Musk publicly criticised the proposal and labelled Pedro Sánchez a “tyrant,” as Spain defended the measures amid wider European regulatory efforts.

6️⃣ 🇪🇺🇺🇦 EU agrees €90bn joint-debt loan for Ukraine: EU member states agreed to issue a €90bn loan funded through joint debt to support Ukraine’s budgetary and military needs in 2026–27, splitting €30bn for civilian spending and €60bn for defence. The loan will be guaranteed by the EU budget, exempt some member states from costs, and require repayment only if Russia ends the war and agrees to compensate Ukraine.

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