**Spanish Foreign Minister Visits Ukraine**
Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares arrived in Lviv, Ukraine on January 28. He met with Ukrainian officials to reaffirm Spain’s support for Ukraine during the ongoing war with Russia.
Albares emphasized that this year will be a “year of peace” and that Spain is committed to a “just peace” that ensures Ukraine’s sovereignty and freedom. He also met with President Volodymyr Zelensky in May, when they signed a 10-year bilateral security agreement.
**Ukraine Denies Russian Claims**
Kharkiv Oblast Governor Oleh Syniehubov denied claims by the Russian Defense Ministry that Russian forces had captured the village of Dvorichna. Fighting is still ongoing in the area.
**Russian Physiologist’s Statue Removed**
The statue of Russian physiologist Ivan Pavlov was removed from Kyiv’s Pechersk district due to his cruel experiments on humans and animals. The city administration said this was a way to distance themselves from Russia’s imperial past.
**European Commission Considers Alternatives**
Despite ongoing tensions, the European Commission is considering alternatives within the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA) framework, including quotas for agricultural products and additional safeguards.
**Diplomatic Efforts Continue**
Ambassadors of the Group of Seven (G7) countries called for a quick resolution to the Defense Procurement Agency dispute. They urged uninterrupted continuation of weapons procurement.
**Recent Developments**
A man attempted to ram the gates of Russia’s embassy in Sweden with a passenger car. Germany’s imports of Russian liquified natural gas continue to rise, despite efforts to cut off direct shipments. A “large amount” of Russian military equipment vanished from the Syrian port of Tartus.
Read More @ kyivindependent.com