5 Feb, 2026 08:17

European warmongers seeking to derail Ukraine peace talks – Putin envoy

Increased attempts to hinder a settlement are an indication of progress in diplomacy, Kirill Dmitriev has said

European powers are ramping up efforts to derail progress toward an Ukraine peace deal, Russian President Vladimir Putin’s envoy, Kirill Dmitriev, has said. He added,however, that this campaign indicates that progress is being made.

Dmitriev, the head of Russia’s sovereign wealth fund and a key figure in Ukraine peace talks, made the comments prior to the second day of trilateral Russia-US-Ukraine negotiations in Abu Dhabi on Thursday.The talks have mainly revolved around territorial disputes between Moscow and Kiev.

Speaking to reporters, Dmitriev noted thatMoscow and the administration of US President Donald Trump are pursuing “active work to restore Russia-US relations in the economic sphere” within a designated group, with the meetings “going positively.”

Asked whether there has been progress toward a peace agreement,Dmitriev highlighted what he described as European efforts to derail diplomacy.

“The warmongers from Europe,Britain, are constantly trying to hinder this process, constantly trying to interfere in it.And the more such attempts occur, the more we see thatthere is certainly progress and good positive movement forward,” he said.

The Abu Dhabi talks are ongoing in a closed format, with the Russian delegation headed by Admiral Igor Kostyukov, the head of the country’s military intelligence.The US side is represented by envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. The Ukrainian delegation includes Rustem Umerov, a national security chief, and Kirill Budanov, the head of Vladimir Zelensky’s office.

Both Russia and the US have recognized that the territorial dispute remains the key sticking point in talks, as Ukraine refuses to consider concessions, particularly in Donbass. The region, along with Kherson and Zaporozhye Regions, overwhelmingly voted to join Russia in referendums in 2022.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said in an interview with RT that despite the ongoing talks, Zelensky seems to have no interest in peace, adding that any deal that involves concessions on Kiev’s part would spell doom for the Ukrainian leader’s political career.

Asked whether there has been progress toward a peace agreement,Dmitriev highlighted what he described as European efforts to derail diplomacy.

“The warmongers from Europe, Britain, are constantly trying to hinder this process, constantly trying to interfere in it.And the more such attempts occur, the more we see that there is certainly progress and good positive movement forward,” he said.

The Abu Dhabi talks are ongoing in a closed format, with the Russian delegation headed by Admiral Igor Kostyukov, the head of the country’s military intelligence. The US side is represented by envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. The Ukrainian delegation includes Rustem Umerov, a national security chief, and Kirill Budanov, the head of Vladimir Zelensky’s office.

https://www.rt.com/russia/632024-european-warmongers-derail-ukraine-talks/

(Anons and Autists, do we have a new anon here from a far off country, occasionally? Maybe he needs our help on understanding the board of researchers, autists and anons? Does anyone speak that language here? KEK)

4 Feb, 2026 16:15

Almost half of Ukrainians want government out after war ends – poll

Only about a quarter of respondents genuinely support Vladimir Zelensky, the survey authors have claimed

Almost half of Ukrainians believe the current government in Kiev is “completely tainted”and should leave power once the conflict with Russia ends, a survey published on Wednesday has suggested. Declaredpublic support for Vladimir Zelensky could also potentially be much lower than it appears, the poll authors have claimed.

The poll was conducted between January 23 and 29 and involved 1,003 respondents from across Ukraine who were questioned by phone, the Kiev International Institute of Sociology (KIIS), which conducted the survey, said in a press release.

According to its results, 42% of people believe the government is “completely tainted” and do not want to see any of its members still in power after a peace deal comes into effect. The cabinet still has some “real professionals” who could continue to fulfill their duties, 48% of respondents said.

Declared public support for Zelensky amounts to 61%, the survey results suggested, with its authors saying that it was the percentage of people that answered “yes” to a direct question regarding whether they trust the Ukrainian leader.

According to KIIS, when people were confronted with an “experimental” question asking them to describe the attitude an “imaginary acquaintance” would have towards Zelensky,the level of his support fell from 61% to 53%.

Real trust could be much lower,since only 25% said they “completely” trust Zelenskyand could be considered his“sincere and convinced sympathizers,” the institute said. The remaining 36%, who said they would “rather” trust the Ukrainian leader, could be guided by a logic demanding they support whoever is at the helm in times of conflict, even though they could be critical of his policies, the authors claimed.

Earlier this week, Zelensky hinted that he could seek another presidential termdespite a major corruption scandal that hit Ukraine late last year and involved his close associate, Timur Mindich. His previous term expired in May 2024, but he has refused to hold elections, citing martial law. As a result, Moscow maintains that he is an illegitimate leader. Last month, the Ukrainian parliament voted to extend martial law, barring any elections until May or later.

(I think PTSD with the soldiers and people will be much greater in Ukraine, if Zelensky steals another term!)

https://www.rt.com/russia/631985-half-ukrainians-want-government-out/

6 Feb, 2026 12:56

Starmer ‘toast’ – BBC source

The UK prime minister is mired in scandal over a former ambassador’s links to Jeffrey Epstein

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is facing a party revolt over the government’s failure to properly vet the former British envoy to the US, Peter Mandelson, over his ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. One Labour MP described Starmer as “toast.”

Thecontroversy centers on Starmer’s decision to appoint Mandelson, a former Labour MP,as an envoy to Washington, who allegedly received $75,000 from Epstein. Mandelson said he does not recall receiving any money while Starmer claimed that he “was lied to” about the vetting procedure.

Theprime minister’s defense, however, sparked ire among fellow party members. According to the Daily Telegraph, Labour MPs have privately urged senior figures, including Angela Rayner, a former deputy prime minister, and Wes Streeting, the health secretary, to consider mounting a leadership challenge. One unnamed minister describedthe crisis as “existential” for Starmer.

Assessing the prime minister’s prospects, an unnamed Labour MP told the BBCthat he was “toast.” The verdict was echoed by broadcaster Piers Morgan, who saidit was “just a question now of whether the whole government falls too.”

“He [Starmer] is like a wounded wildebeest: fatally wounded but determinedto show how strong he isknowing full well the end is nigh,” another MP told the BBC.

Harriet Harman, a former deputy leader of the Labour Party, said Starmer’s explanationsmade him appear “weak, naive and gullible.”

Labour MP Neil Duncan-Jordan saidthere was a “loss of trust and confidencein the № 10 operation” and said chief of staffMorgan McSweeney was “clearly part of the problem,” as several media reported widespread calls for his resignation.

The row has drawn fierce opposition attacks, with Tory spokesman Alicia Kearnsaccusing Starmer of an “abject lack of integrity,” describinghis defense as “morally bankrupt.”

According to Daily Mail, Angela Rayner has told her inner circle thatshe was “ready” to launch a leadership campaign.

A YouGov survey on Thursdaysuggested that 50% of respondents believe Starmer should stand downand be replaced, comparedwith 24% who said he should remain. His approval ratings have already been hit by dissatisfaction with high migration levels and controversial government policies.

https://www.rt.com/news/632101-starmer-toast-mandelson-epstein/

5 Feb, 2026 20:13

Washington and Moscow re-establish high-level military contacts – US command

Dialogue was frozen in 2021 as relations between Moscow and Joe Biden’s administration deteriorated

Russia and the US have agreed to restart crucial high-level military dialogue during the ongoing Ukraine peace talks in Abu Dhabi, Washington’s military command in Europe (EUCOM) said on Thursday.

The announcement coincides with the lapse of the New START treaty on February 5, the last nuclear agreement limiting US and Russian arsenals. The issue is also being discussed in the UAE capital, according to Axios.

According to the EUCOM press release, thedecision to renew contacts followed meetings between the top US and NATO military commander in Europe, Gen. Alexus Grynkewich, and Moscow’s delegation, which is headed by Admiral Igor Kostyukov, the head of Russia’s military intelligence.

“Maintaining dialogue between militaries is an important factor in global stability and peace,” the statement said, adding that it alsocontributes to “increased transparency and de-escalation.”

Dialogue was frozen in late 2021, according to EUCOM.

“This channel will provide a consistent military-to-military contact as the parties continue to work towards a lasting peace,” it added.

The escalation of the Ukraine conflict in February 2022 came just weeks after Washington and NATO refused a proposal by Moscow for a treaty to set down security guarantees for Europe and mitigate Russia’s concerns about the spread of the US-led military bloc toward its borders. Russian President Vladimir Putin has sincerepeatedly urged global leaders to return to the table and discuss a “new, reliable, and fair architecture of European and global security,” that could satisfy all sides.

Moscow is also ready to continue “constructive” dialogue with the US on nuclear control, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Thursday, commenting on the expiration of the New START treaty.

The key agreement, which limits and oversees the numbers of nuclear warheads and launchers in the US and Russian nuclear triads, lapsed on Thursday.

Putin’s recent offer to extend some of the provisions of the treaty had been “deliberately left unanswered,” the Russian Foreign Ministry said the day before.

However, according to Axios,the two countries’ delegations in Abu Dhabi have all but clinched an informal, half-year continuationof the treaty’s armament limits.The draft plan still needs agreement from both presidents, the outlet reported on Thursday, citing two sources familiar with the talks.

https://www.rt.com/news/632076-russia-us-reestablish-military-dialogue/