Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine began on February 24, 2022, marking three years of continuous warfare. Ukraine has retaliated with counterattacks. On Saturday, Russia launched a massive drone strike across Ukraine. Meanwhile, former U.S. President Donald Trump has been actively pushing for a ceasefire, with his officials holding talks with Russia. However, despite peace negotiations, Russia has launched another attack, causing fires in multiple cities and resulting in casualties. In response, Ukraine claims to have destroyed 20 Russian drones.

Preparations are reportedly underway for a face-to-face meeting between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin, according to Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov. If held, this meeting would signal a dramatic shift away from the West’s policy of isolating Moscow over the Ukraine war. Speaking to Russian state media on Saturday, Ryabkov stated that the proposed meeting would cover a range of global issues beyond just the Ukraine conflict. He emphasized the need for normalizing U.S.-Russia relations, though discussions are still at an early stage. Previously, U.S. Senator Marco Rubio suggested that diplomatic normalization, an end to hostilities, and strengthening economic ties were key factors bringing the two nations closer to negotiations.

Russian President Vladimir Putin is open to direct talks with Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky to achieve a peaceful resolution to the conflict, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed. Despite questioning Zelensky’s legitimacy after his term ended, Russia is willing to negotiate if peace is the goal. Meanwhile, a summit in Riyadh aims to discuss the Ukraine war and U.S.-Russia relations. However, Ukraine has been excluded, prompting Zelensky to reject any peace deal made without Kyiv’s involvement. The summit may lead to a Putin-Trump meeting.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has sent his foreign minister, Sergey Lavrov, and top foreign policy adviser, Yuri Ushakov, to Saudi Arabia to meet with U.S. officials. The main topics of discussion will include the restoration of Russia-U.S. relations and the potential for peace talks regarding the ongoing war in Ukraine. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, and Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff are also expected to attend. The meeting is part of preparations for a potential summit between President Trump and President Putin.

Two Russian teenage girls, separated from their mother due to the Ukraine war, have been reunited and returned home with Qatar’s mediation. Living with their grandparents in Ukraine while their mother worked in Russia, the sisters were stranded when the war broke out. Qatar previously helped reunite other war-affected children. The International Red Cross also assisted in bringing the girls back. So far, 17 children from 11 families have been reunited with their families in Russia, while 95 children joined relatives in Ukraine and beyond.

Russia is awaiting further details on former U.S. President Donald Trump's proposal to occupy and rebuild Gaza. In a press conference on Monday (February 10), a Kremlin spokesperson stated that the plan poses significant challenges, as approximately 1.2 million Palestinians reside in Gaza. The spokesperson also highlighted that United Nations Security Council resolutions guarantee a two-state solution for the region.

Russia and Ukraine have successfully exchanged 150 prisoners each under a deal brokered by the United Arab Emirates, according to the Russian Defense Ministry. The released soldiers have been transferred to Belarus, where they are receiving medical and psychological support, with plans to reintegrate them into service in the near future. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky praised the exchange and expressed gratitude to the UAE for its mediation. Earlier, in mid-January, both sides had exchanged 25 prisoners each as part of their ongoing negotiations.