VOA speaks with Washington’s former ambassador to Kyiv about the recent tension in the relationship and the way forward to a peace plan. Ukrainians react to President Trump’s disparaging statements about President Zelenskyy. An update on the fragile peace between Israel and Hamas. The Conservative Political Action Conference is underway in the United States, and Germany prepares for an election.

U.S. President Donald Trump called Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy a dictator in a social media post on Wednesday, this after implying he was responsible for the war a day earlier. Russian disinformation is prevalent in Africa’s Sahel region and may be one factor in France’s departure. Inflation in the United States increased in January as prices of food, gasoline and housing, among others, continued to rise. Plus, a look at the ancient city of Palmyra in Syria.

Envoys from the United States and Russia met in Saudi Arabia to discuss, among other things, planning for peace talks in the Russia-Ukraine war; however, Ukraine was not invited to the meeting. The African Union reacts to potential cuts in U.S. aid and the ongoing violence in Sudan and the DRC. Plus, activists in Uganda are calling on the government to release a jailed opposition leader.

There’s been a plane crash in Toronto. European leaders hold a crisis meeting in Paris to discuss security concerns about an aggressive Russia and declining support from Washington. American senators are in Jerusalem to discuss Gaza. China is critical of new U.S. policy towards Taiwan, and an American icon turns 50.

In a stunning speech at the Munich Security Conference, U.S. Vice President JD Vance barely spoke of Russia and Ukraine, and instead admonished European allies, arguing that their governments are censoring far-right speech and failing to control migration. His remarks came amid allies' alarm over President Donald Trump’s decision to begin peace talks with Russia. Ukraine eyes its reserves of rare earth minerals and what role they may play in a future security agreement. In the Middle East, Hamas has released hostages and Israel freed prisoners as part of the fragile ceasefire deal. Should the Federal Emergency Management Agency be eliminated? Plus, at least 18 people killed in a stampede at a train station in India.

European security is in the spotlight following Donald Trump’s calls with Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelenskyy and as Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth continues his visit to NATO headquarters ahead of the Munich Security Conference. President Trump says he will impose reciprocal tariffs on all imports coming into the United States from all countries. Hamas says hostages will be released on time, averting a crisis and possible re-starting of hostilities. As part of new, stricter immigration policies, illegal migrants are being held in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Plus, a look at the ongoing disagreements in the U.S. over foreign aid.

U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth said in Brussels that Ukraine returning to its pre-war borders is “unrealistic,” he also said that the U.S. does not support Ukraine joining NATO. President Trump spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy by phone; they discussed, among other things: Ukraine and the Middle East. Israel mobilizes reservists as ceasefire deal is in doubt. Following the deaths of 16 young Pakistanis attempting to get to Europe, a look at why so many are trying to leave home. Plus, the Democratic opposition to President Trump.

President Donald Trump threatened cut aid to Jordan and Egypt if they refused his demand to permanently take in Palestinians from Gaza; meanwhile the agency that provides aid to Palestinian refugees - is still operating in East Jerusalem, even though Israel’s ban on the agency went into effect last week. The U.S. has declared famine in part of Darfur; VOA talks with refugees who fled. Plus, a look at the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act: what it means and why the president might have wanted to suspend it.

President Donald Trump is set to impose new tariffs on steel and aluminum imports into the U.S. from all countries, including allies. Trump also signs an order to return plastic straws to federal food service. In eastern DRC, volunteers were recovering bodies from a prison on Monday after clashes between rebels and the Congolese army resulted in a prison break. An end to the penny? And a look at how decisions about foreign aid expenditures in Washington can affect refugee families in Thailand.

The Israeli military has withdrawn from an area of Gaza known as the Netzarim corridor, which separates the enclave's north from south. The presidents of Ukraine and the United States are looking to make a deal. Plus, a new book chronicles the story of a Ukrainian soldier. Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania are cutting the cord and Afghan refugees in the U.S. face an uncertain future.