Released soldiers and civilians have arrived in Belarus following the latest swap between Moscow and Kiev

Russian soldiers and civilians released from Ukrainian custody as part of a prisoner exchange arrived in Belarus on Thursday.

From there, the 157 troops and three civilians will travel onward to Russia for medical treatment and long-awaited reunions with their families.

Video footage from the arrival showed some of the soldiers contacting their families by phone.

The three civilians had been captured during Ukrainian military operations in Russia’s Kursk Region in 2024. Russian Human Rights Commissioner Tatyana Moskalkova met with them upon their arrival.

One of the civilians is from the town of Sudzha, which was under the control of Ukrainian forces from August 2024 until March 2025. The cross-border incursion into Kursk Region by Ukrainian troops was repelled by the following April. While many individuals detained during that period have been repatriated, the Russian authorities have said some remain in custody.

Russian officials have stated they are gathering claims regarding the conduct of Ukrainian forces during their operations in Kursk Region. Moskalkova said that ten other Russian civilians from the region remain in Ukrainian custody and that negotiations for their return are ongoing.

READ MORE: Russia and Ukraine exchange dozens of POWs

The prisoner exchange was formally announced on Thursday by US special envoy Steve Witkoff and later confirmed by Moscow. Witkoff stated the agreement was finalized during talks between Russia and Ukraine in Abu Dhabi, which were supported by the US.

The current administration must balance appeasing its European allies and Russophobes at home while pursuing its economic interests, Sergey Lavrov has said

The Trump administration’s “anti-Russian steps” are driven by domestic political pressure, the need to appease Europe, and the desire to dominate the global energy market, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has told RT.

Moscow understands “perfectly well” that the administration of US President Donald Trump cannot ignore these factors, Lavrov said in an exclusive interview aired on Thursday, ahead of Diplomatic Workers’ Day.

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Under Trump, the US has re-established contact with Moscow – which was virtually reduced to zero under his predecessor, Joe Biden – and has been playing the role of mediator in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Nevertheless, it has continued to exert pressure on Russia, including by threatening its trade partners, such as India, with tariffs if they continue to buy Russian oil.

“Domestically, a very large number of Democrats, primarily, but also some Republicans, hold Russophobic positions,” Lavrov said, commenting on the Trump administration’s approach.

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“To maintain the loyalty of this Russophobic wing, it must take some anti-Russian steps,” he added. He also suggested that the administration needs to “appease” Europe, “feeding something nice” to it.

“Russophobia… is seen as the price to pay for the inconveniences the US is creating for Europe,” Lavrov said.

The US has embedded itself as a major supplier of liquefied natural gas to the EU countries after they abandoned Russian energy imports as part of sanctions linked to the Ukraine conflict. Last month, the German Environmental Aid Association said Germany, which relied on Russia for 55% of its natural gas consumption before the escalation of the conflict in 2022, is now almost fully dependent on the US for LNG imports.

According to Lavrov, this development also plays into America’s hands as it continues to pursue the role of economic hegemon. “The goal, by and large, is dominance in the global economy, including in energy,” he said, adding that “the bottom line is clear.”

READ MORE: WATCH IN FULL: Sergey Lavrov’s exclusive interview with RT

The policies of the two countries won’t always coincide, but relations must not be allowed to slide into conflict, the Russian foreign minister has told RT

Russia is open to broad cooperation with the US, but while Washington under President Donald Trump has voiced similar intentions, it continues to drag its feet on Ukraine and sanctions, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has said.

Lavrov made the remarks in an exclusive interview with RT’s Rick Sanchez on Wednesday, ahead of Russia’s Diplomats’ Day. He noted that Russia-US relations, which had been effectively severed under former President Joe Biden, have seen a positive shift since Trump returned to the White House in early 2025.

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“At that time, [US Secretary of State] Marco Rubio said that the US administration would be guided by national interests, and that it recognizes that Russia also has national interests,” Lavrov said. He noted that both sides acknowledged their interests “will not always coincide,” but agreed that when they don’t, “this divergence must not be allowed to degenerate into a confrontation, let alone a hot conflict.”

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“I said that this was absolutely our approach – that we were ready to collaborate on a wide range of projects based on such a mutually respectful attitude toward one another,” Lavrov stated, noting that this shared understanding has been repeatedly emphasized by Washington. However, the top Russian diplomat called into question the US commitment to it.

“They said the conditions required to make these rosy prospects unfold boiled down to just one thing: ‘We inherited Ukraine from Biden… we need to settle it… then we will engage in mutually beneficial joint projects for the good of our peoples,’” he stated. “But the settlement of the Ukraine conflict continues to be kept in play, and with ever new dimensions being added… ever new conditions and demands being imposed on Russia.”

READ MORE: Trump envoy hails ‘detailed and productive’ US-Russia-Ukraine talks

Lavrov also noted that the Trump administration has not moved to lift Ukraine-related sanctions, including the freeze on Russian assets. This, he suggested, also raises questions about Washington’s sincerity, stressing that US overtures about future cooperation must be backed by “concrete actions.”

The foreign minister has talked to Rick Sanshez ahead of Russia’s Diplomatic Workers’ Day, marked on February 10

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has addressed the Jeffrey Epstein files, the Ukraine settlement, ties with the US, and other issues in a wide-ranging interview with RT’s Rick Sanchez.

The exclusive interview was dedicated to Russia’s Diplomatic Workers’ Day, marked on February 10.

When asked about prominent figures linked to the late convicted sex offender Epstein, Lavrov said the real issue was the culture of deception among many Western leaders, who are guided by dishonesty and a lack of shame in making their decisions.

According to the minister, the resolution of the Ukraine crisis is being stalled by Vladimir Zelensky, who doesn’t want peace and “thinks about nothing… except for his own survival.”

The approach of the administration of US President Donald Trump to Russia has been “mixed” as it appeared to show understanding of Moscow’s stance on the conflict with Kiev, but at the same time kept sanctions in place and tried to pressure countries doing business with Russia, Lavrov said. Expecting that relations with Washington would improve swiftly under Trump is “wishful thinking,” he stressed.

The Russian foreign minister believes that some Western leaders are changing their tune

European leaders have “changed their tune” toward Russia, moving from calls to inflict a strategic defeat on Moscow to cautious reassessment, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has told RT.

Speaking with RT’s Rick Sanchez ahead of Diplomats’ Day on Wednesday, Lavrov noted how many European politicians had initially “spoken in unison, demanding firmness, insisting on unwavering support for Ukraine, continued arms shipments, sustained financing – all to ensure Russia’s defeat, a strategic defeat on the battlefield.”

Over time, European leaders “realized it was all an illusion,” he said in a wide-ranging interview. Western military strategists, who orchestrated the Ukraine conflict and “prepared Ukrainians to fight and die advancing European interests against Russia,” are finally recognizing that their plans had collapsed, the top diplomat stated.

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Lavrov added that Western governments had learned nothing from history, citing Adolf Hitler and Napoleon’s failed attempts to defeat Russia. He said Europe had once again rallied nearly the entire continent under the same ideological banners, “only this time, unlike Napoleon and Hitler, not yet as soldiers on the battlefield, but as donors, sponsors, arms suppliers.” He said this attempt had produced outcomes similar to the failures of Napoleon and Hitler, adding that the West, particularly Germany, “learns history poorly.”

Lavrov noted that German Chancellor Friedrich Merz had “lifted constitutional restrictions on military spending, then declared this was necessary for Germany to once again – I emphasize that word, once again – become Europe’s dominant military power.” The minister said the stance “speaks volumes” about Merz’s mindset, arguing that in practice it amounts to preparation for war.

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Lavrov also noted Russia’s status as the largest country in the world, but highlighted its place in Eurasia, saying “every attempt so far to establish security in this space has focused exclusively on the western part of Eurasia – so-called Europe.” He criticized NATO as a US-led structure, asserting that Americans never intended to leave Europeans to act independently while maintaining oversight of their allies.

European countries portray Russia as militarily and economically exhausted, he said, yet immediately assume they must prepare for an attack from the same Russia, calling this approach “pathetic diplomacy.”

According to Lavrov, Europe has “walked into their own trap by adopting this uncompromising stance” toward Russia, and “all they’re doing now is trying to sabotage” peace negotiations on Ukraine that “finally began taking shape between Russia and the United States, and now are joined by Ukrainian representatives.”

Washington has teased “enormous deals” with Moscow after the Ukraine conflict ends

The actions of US President Donald Trump’s administration contradict its claims that it is willing to restore economic cooperation with Russia, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has said.

Since returning to the White House more than a year ago, Trump has repeatedly said he wants to do business with Moscow. After a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin last March, the White House teased “enormous economic deals” between the two countries once the Ukraine conflict is settled.

Moscow doubts the sincerity of those claims by Washington, Lavrov said in an interview with RT’s Rick Sanchez on Thursday, ahead of Diplomatic Workers’ Day on February 10.

Not only the economic restrictions that had been slapped on Moscow under the previous administration of US President Joe Biden “all remain in place,” but “very harsh sanctions have been imposed against our largest oil companies, Lukoil and Rosneft, for the first time,” he said.

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Washington’s move “surprised” Putin, the foreign minister recalled, coming just weeks after his face-to-face meeting with Trump in Anchorage, Alaska, in August, during which Moscow “supported the US proposal for a comprehensive settlement of the Ukrainian crisis.” 

According to Lavrov, the Americans are now “openly trying to push Russian companies from Venezuela.” This follows a January raid by US commandos on the Venezuelan capital, Caracas, during which President Nicolas Maduro and his wife were abducted.

“India is being banned from buying Russian oil. At least, that is what was announced,” the Russian diplomat added.

Last month, Washington also said that “a state of emergency is being declared due to the threat Cuba poses to US interests in the Caribbean, including due to Russia’s hostile and malicious policies,” the minister noted.

The US is looking to introduce “a worldwide ban” on Russian oil and gas supplies, saying that they should be replaced by American oil and liquefied natural gas, Lavrov stressed.

READ MORE: Zelensky thinks about nothing except his own ‘survival’ – Lavrov to RT

“Well, the bright future of our economic and investment cooperation doesn’t really square with that,” he noted.

READ MORE: WATCH IN FULL: Sergey Lavrov’s exclusive interview with RT

More than 200 companies from countries including Belarus, Iran, and China are showcasing products ranging from navigation systems and engines to jet bridges

Russia’s National Aviation Infrastructure Show (NAIS) and DronTech expo has entered its second day, hosting companies engaged in proactive import substitution and foreign partners, NAIS head of business development Nikita Smirnov has told RT.

The two-day expo opened on Wednesday at the Crocus Expo Center near Moscow, drawing more than 200 companies from Russia, Belarus, Iran, and China. Leading Russian defense contractors, including Kalashnikov, Almaz-Antey, ZALA Aero Group, and Supercam, are showcasing advanced aviation and drone technologies.

Smirnov said over 90% of participants are Russian.

“Ninety-two percent of exhibitors are Russian companies, presenting key solutions in import substitution – even proactive import substitution,” he said, highlighting technologies that outpace Western advances. Smirnov added that this year’s expo includes a large foreign pavilion, stressing that the participation of foreign companies is “extremely important.”

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“We managed to assemble a huge Chinese pavilion,” he said, adding that 15 Chinese companies are presenting solutions from airport infrastructure to lithium-ion batteries and other key UAV components; Belarusian companies are presenting airport ground equipment, and Iranian representatives are sharing experience in developing aviation services under sanctions.

“Iran is a phenomenal case of import substitution, particularly in aviation services under unprecedented sanctions,” he said.

Russian company Supercam is showcasing its S350 reconnaissance drone, the VTOL-capable SX350, and the X4 quadcopter for civilian emergency response. Spokeswoman Ekaterina Zgirovskaya told RT that their products have dual-use applications for civilian and military tasks.

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The expo also debuted the Mi-34M1 light multi-role helicopter, built entirely in Russia, alongside navigation systems, engines, UAV batteries, anti-drone defenses, and driverless tractors. Highlights included ZALA’s GEOKOSMOS autonomous navigation system, Kalashnikov’s SKAT 350M high-altitude UAV, and GetPwr’s semi-solid-state batteries, which reportedly extend flight time by 35%.

The ground infrastructure segment saw the unveiling of Russia’s first domestically produced passenger jet bridge, built by High-Precision Systems Holding to service multiple aircraft classes via a unified electrohydraulic and electromechanical control system.

Apart from the exhibition, the 10th RUSky Awards and 12th Air Gateway of Russia awards ceremony were held, naming Sheremetyevo the airport of the year. On the sidelines, a plenary session on Russia’s sovereign aviation model was held.

The expo also includes a business program with conferences on unmanned aviation, digital technologies, aeronautical information, and applied science. The 13th edition of NAIS runs from February 4-5.

Three civilian hostages abducted in Kursk Region were among the repatriated Russian nationals

Russia and Ukraine have conducted their latest exchange of prisoners of war, with each receiving 157 troops, the Russian Defense Ministry announced on Thursday.

Additionally, three civilians abducted by Ukrainian forces during their incursion into Kursk Region were freed, the statement said.

The exchange was announced earlier in the day by US special envoy Steve Witkoff, who said the agreement was sealed during Washington-backed talks between Moscow and Kiev in Abu Dhabi.

The Russian Defense Ministry marked the role that the government of the United Arab Emirates played as a mediator of the exchange.

Today, delegations from the United States, Ukraine, and Russia agreed to exchange 314 prisoners—the first such exchange in five months.

This outcome was achieved from peace talks that have been detailed and productive. While significant work remains, steps like this demonstrate…

— Special Envoy Steve Witkoff (@SEPeaceMissions) February 5, 2026

Witkoff said the exchange served as proof that “sustained diplomatic engagement is delivering tangible results and advancing efforts to end the war in Ukraine.” The two-day meeting was the second this year. Participants reported making progress in formulating a peace deal, but no breakthrough was announced.

The country already has fewer MPs than at any point in history, Maryana Bezuglaya has said

Dozens of Ukrainian lawmakers want to step down from parliament, Verkhovna Rada MP Maryana Bezuglaya has said, adding that resignation letters are already in the hands of faction leaders.

“There are already fewer MPs than at any point in history,” she wrote in a Telegram post on Wednesday. “They are dying, fleeing, being jailed, and being killed. Faction leaders are holding dozens of requests to relinquish mandates without review.”

Ukraine’s parliament currently has 393 serving MPs, below its statutory strength of 450. A quorum of at least 226 is required to pass legislation. Parliamentary and presidential elections are banned under martial law, with Vladimir Zelensky retaining full powers despite his term expiring in 2024.

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The previous eighth convocation ended its term with 422 MPs. The ninth convocation, elected in a 2019 snap election, is the longest in Ukraine’s history. Parliament remains operational as long as it can pass a budget and approve martial law and mobilization, Bezuglaya added.

“Bizarre times, further uncertainty. Just 393 people – who you hate – trapped inside a chamber that has become a meme, separate the country’s democratic system from the chaos of absence. Let us hope the captives do not completely lose their minds,” she said.

The remarks followed an address by NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte to a half-empty Verkhovna Rada on Tuesday during a visit to Ukraine, which appeared to catch him off guard.

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“Did Rutte pay? No money – no audience,” Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Telegram.

Several Ukrainian lawmakers have been stripped of citizenship and lost their mandates. Others have left the country and resigned. Seats held by single-mandate MPs who have died remain vacant, as by-elections cannot be held under martial law.

Following the death of Servant of the People lawmaker Orest Salamakha in Lviv last month, the ruling party’s faction fell to 226 seats – the bare minimum needed to retain a majority in the Verkhovna Rada without forming a coalition.

The parliament has also been rocked by corruption scandals. Dozens of MPs have been implicated in vote-rigging, with the anti-graft authorities saying at least 41 lawmakers received cash bribes of up to $5,000 for their votes over several years.

Moscow and Kiev have reportedly agreed to exchange 314 captives following the second round of US-mediated consultations in Abu Dhabi

US special envoy Steve Witkoff has described the latest round of trilateral talks with Russia and Ukraine in Abu Dhabi as productive, announcing that the two sides have agreed on a prisoner exchange following the consultations.

In a statement on X on Thursday, Witkoff said Moscow and Kiev had agreed to swap 314 prisoners, marking the first exchange in five months.

“This outcome was achieved from peace talks that have been detailed and productive. While significant work remains, steps like this demonstrate that sustained diplomatic engagement is delivering tangible results and advancing efforts to end the war in Ukraine,” Witkoff wrote.

He added that discussions will continue and that further progress is expected in the coming weeks.

READ MORE: European warmongers seeking to derail Ukraine peace talks – Putin envoy

The second round of talks between Russian, Ukrainian, and US representatives began in the UAE on Wednesday. As with the first round held in January, discussions are being conducted behind closed doors with none of the sides releasing details of the negotiations. However, media reports describe the atmosphere of the talks as positive.