**US Plane Returns to Washington Due to Technical Malfunction**
A US Air Force plane carrying US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Jim Risch was forced to return to Washington after experiencing a technical malfunction. The incident occurred about 90 minutes after takeoff from Joint Base Andrews.
The aircraft, a C-32 converted Boeing 757, had a problem with its cockpit windshield, prompting an emergency return to the base. Rubio and Risch were en route to Germany for the Munich Security Conference, where they planned to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on February 14.
**US Officials to Meet with Ukrainian Leader**
Despite the flight issue, Rubio intends to continue his travel to Germany and the Middle East on a separate aircraft. US Vice President JD Vance is also scheduled to meet with Zelensky on February 14 at the conference.
**Ukraine-Russia Conflict Update**
The conflict between Ukraine and Russia continues, with both sides experiencing heavy losses. Russian forces suffered 1,200 casualties over the past day alone. Ukraine is set to receive 6,000 AI-powered attack drones from a German defense technology firm.
**US-Ukraine Relations Strengthened**
Agricultural trade between Ukraine and the EU reached $17 billion in 2024, exceeding the previous record by 3%. The US has also continued to deliver security assistance to Kyiv, with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth hinting that future funding could be conditional.