Japan Election 2026: Sanae Takaichi Poised for Landslide Win Despite Record Snowfall 
TrumpRx Website Launches to Offer Discounted Prescription Drugs for Cash-Paying Americans 
U.S. Lawmakers to Review Unredacted Jeffrey Epstein DOJ Files Starting Monday 
Trump Signs Executive Order Threatening 25% Tariffs on Countries Trading With Iran 
TrumpRx.gov Highlights GLP-1 Drug Discounts but Offers Limited Savings for Most Americans 
Trump Signs “America First Arms Transfer Strategy” to Prioritize U.S. Weapons Sales 
US Pushes Ukraine-Russia Peace Talks Before Summer Amid Escalating Attacks 
New York Legalizes Medical Aid in Dying for Terminally Ill Patients 
Federal Judge Restores Funding for Gateway Rail Tunnel Project 
India–U.S. Interim Trade Pact Cuts Auto Tariffs but Leaves Tesla Out 
Pentagon Ends Military Education Programs With Harvard University 
South Korea Assures U.S. on Trade Deal Commitments Amid Tariff Concerns 
Trump Says “Very Good Talks” Underway on Russia-Ukraine War as Peace Efforts Continue 
Netanyahu to Meet Trump in Washington as Iran Nuclear Talks Intensify 
U.S. to Begin Paying UN Dues as Financial Crisis Spurs Push for Reforms 
Ohio Man Indicted for Alleged Threat Against Vice President JD Vance, Faces Additional Federal Charges 
U.S.-India Trade Framework Signals Major Shift in Tariffs, Energy, and Supply Chains 
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized that Ukraine and Europe will be integral to any serious negotiations to end Russia’s war in Ukraine, despite initial U.S.-Russia talks in Saudi Arabia this week. Rubio reassured that while preliminary discussions are underway, full peace talks will include Ukrainian and European representatives. U.S. officials also asked European counterparts about potential troop contributions for enforcing a peace deal.
President Trump, after speaking with Russian President Vladimir Putin, expressed optimism about ending the conflict while protecting Ukrainian sovereignty. However, Rubio stressed that true peace requires concrete actions, not just phone calls. U.S. Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff and national security adviser Mike Waltz are set to attend the Saudi talks, though the Russian delegation remains unconfirmed.
The Saudi meeting aligns with U.S. efforts to secure investment opportunities in Ukraine’s natural resources, raising concerns from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy about potential resource concessions to Russia. Trump affirmed his confidence that Putin seeks peace and assured that Zelenskiy will be involved in any final agreement.
Despite concerns raised by U.S. Ukraine envoy Keith Kellogg at the Munich Security Conference, Rubio and Witkoff confirmed that Ukraine and Europe will not be sidelined. French President Emmanuel Macron has called an emergency summit with European leaders to address the evolving situation. European officials, alarmed by recent U.S. moves, fear diminished U.S. military support and a peace deal favoring Russia.
Rubio refrained from confirming whether U.S. sanctions on Russia were discussed with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov but highlighted the need for functional embassies in both nations for any progress. The ongoing diplomatic efforts aim to assess Russia’s sincerity in pursuing peace while maintaining support for Ukraine and European allies.
