**US Podcaster to Interview Russian President**
Lex Fridman, a popular US podcaster, plans to visit Russia to interview President Vladimir Putin. He made the announcement on Joe Rogan’s podcast on January 22.
Fridman has previously interviewed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv. However, after the interview, he criticized Zelensky on social media for using “crude words” towards Putin. Fridman believes this would not help negotiations between the two leaders.
“My goal is just to push for peace,” Fridman said on Rogan’s podcast. He did not specify when he would visit Russia or whether he had already agreed to an interview with Russian authorities.
Fridman also mentioned that US President Donald Trump could play a key role in bringing peace to Ukraine and Russia. “Both Zelensky and Putin fear Donald Trump,” Fridman said. “And that’s a great person to make peace.”
**Recent Developments in Ukraine**
The situation in Ukraine remains tense. Russian attacks across the country have killed at least two people and injured 46 over the past day, including an infant.
Ukrainian prosecutors are investigating a case of Russian troops summarily executing six Ukrainian captives in Donetsk Oblast. North Korea is expected to send reinforcements to Russia’s Kursk Oblast, according to Ukraine’s military intelligence chief.
**International Response**
The European Union has announced that it will provide 35 billion euros ($36 billion) in financial assistance to Ukraine in 2025 through the G7 ERA credit initiative and the Ukraine Facility program.
President Zelensky has emphasized the importance of US involvement in resolving the conflict. “Nobody will risk without the United States,” he said in an interview with Bloomberg on January 22.
**Other News**
The Sparta II, a Russian cargo ship under US sanctions, had been drifting near Tartus since January 5 after leaving Baltiysk in Kaliningrad Oblast on December 11.
Russia’s domestic economic operations have suffered due to labor shortages and high interest rates introduced to curb inflation.
A former commander of the scandal-hit Ukrainian 155th “Anne of Kyiv” Brigade has been remanded in custody with a bail of Hr 90 million ($2.1 million).
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