Politics
Why did Ukraine postpone the prisoner exchange with Russia?
Russia announced that Ukraine had postponed the exchange of hundreds of prisoners of war and the return of the bodies of dead soldiers, an operation agreed upon by both sides
Russia announced that Ukraine has postponed the exchange of hundreds of prisoners of war held by both sides and the recovery of the bodies of dead soldiers, which was agreed upon by both sides during peace talks held in Istanbul earlier this week.
Russia's chief negotiator Vladimir Medinsky stated on social media that "the Ukrainian side has unexpectedly and indefinitely postponed the handover of bodies and the exchange of prisoners of war.".
Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustam Umarov announced at the conclusion of the talks that Kyiv and Moscow had agreed during the negotiations to exchange all seriously wounded prisoners of war or those under the age of 25, in addition to about 6,000 bodies of soldiers killed on each side.
Umarov said, “We agreed to exchange seriously wounded and sick prisoners of war on a one-for-one basis. The second category includes young soldiers between the ages of 18 and 25… We also agreed that each side would return 6,000 bodies of soldiers killed in action.”.
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Kyiv had proposed to Moscow a new round of talks between June 20 and 30, deeming it "essential to advancing the negotiation process.".
Ukraine's First Deputy Foreign Minister Serhiy Kyslytsya revealed that Russia rejected Kyiv's offer of an unconditional ceasefire during the direct talks in Istanbul. Speaking at a press conference following the talks, Kyslytsya added that the Russian side continued to reject the proposal for an unconditional ceasefire.
Russia’s chief negotiator Vladimir Medinsky said his country had proposed to Ukraine a partial ceasefire for two or three days in certain areas of the front during talks in Istanbul.
Politics
Faisal bin Farhan and Lavrov discuss Saudi-Russian relations
Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan received a call from his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov, during which they discussed strengthening bilateral relations, regional and international issues, and energy security.
His Highness Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah, the Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs, received a telephone call today, Friday, from His Excellency Sergey Lavrov, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation. This call comes within the framework of ongoing consultations between the two friendly countries to enhance joint coordination on various issues.
Strengthening joint cooperation
During the call, the two sides discussed the full spectrum of bilateral relations between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Russian Federation, exploring ways to develop and enhance them across various fields to serve the interests of both countries and their friendly peoples. The ministers emphasized the importance of continued joint efforts to propel relations toward broader horizons, particularly in light of the strategic partnerships that unite Riyadh and Moscow.
Coordinating positions on regional and international issues
The call addressed a number of topics and issues of mutual interest at both the regional and international levels. These discussions are of particular importance given the pivotal role both countries play in dealing with pressing issues in the Middle East region, and their efforts to promote international peace and security.
In a related context, Saudi-Russian relations are seen as a key pillar in the stability of global energy markets, as the two countries lead the OPEC+ alliance, which aims to maintain market balance and ensure energy supplies, reflecting the depth of economic and strategic cooperation between them.
The importance of timing and political context
This contact comes at a time of rapid geopolitical shifts in the region and the world, necessitating intensified consultations among influential global powers. These discussions underscore the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's diplomatic approach, which is based on diversifying international partnerships and engaging with all relevant actors, thereby strengthening its position as a peacemaker and a reliable partner in addressing international crises.
The call also reflects the Russian side’s keenness to coordinate with the Kingdom on sensitive issues, given the Kingdom’s political, religious and economic weight, and its ability to lead initiatives that contribute to reducing escalation and resolving conflicts peacefully in the region.
Politics
Trump unveils Gaza reconstruction plan and international stabilization force
Details of Trump's plan to rebuild Gaza with billions of dollars and form an international stabilization force with the participation of Arab and Islamic countries, and the date of the Peace Council meeting in Washington.
Next week, all eyes will be on Washington, D.C., as U.S. President Donald Trump prepares to announce a comprehensive initiative aimed at reshaping the landscape in the Gaza Strip, through an ambitious multi-billion dollar reconstruction plan, coinciding with the deployment of an international stabilization force with a UN mandate.
Details of the upcoming meeting in Washington
Two senior US officials have stated that President Trump will unveil details of this plan during the inaugural meeting of the "Peace Council," scheduled for February 19. This major diplomatic event is expected to draw high-level delegations from more than 20 countries, reflecting the international momentum the US administration is attempting to build on this complex issue.
This move culminates previous efforts, as Trump signed the council's founding documents at the Davos Forum and secured approval from the UN Security Council to support his plan. Key regional states have announced their participation in the council, most notably Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Turkey, and Qatar, in addition to major Islamic powers like Indonesia. Meanwhile, Western powers remain cautious and watchful regarding the details of the initiative.
A huge financial fund and a stabilizing force
The plan centers on establishing a massive financial fund dedicated to rebuilding the sector's devastated infrastructure, with a US official describing the expected contributions from member states as "generous." Alongside the economic component, Trump will unveil security arrangements that include the willingness of several countries to send thousands of troops to participate in a "stabilization force" planned for deployment in Gaza in the coming months to ensure security and facilitate reconstruction efforts.
Dealing with Hamas and the security situation
Regarding the complex internal situation, Trump's plan includes sensitive political and security provisions, such as granting amnesty to Hamas members who agree to disarmament and accept the principle of peaceful coexistence. The plan also stipulates securing safe passage for those wishing to leave the Gaza Strip. The meeting will also address reports from the "National Committee for the Administration of Gaza," discuss mechanisms for distributing urgent humanitarian aid, and restructure the police force to maintain internal security.
Context of the crisis and scale of destruction
This initiative comes at a time when the Gaza Strip is suffering unprecedented devastation affecting all aspects of life. Ongoing military operations have led to widespread destruction of infrastructure, including hospitals, schools, and water and electricity networks. Reconstruction remains the greatest challenge facing the international community, given the enormous costs and the logistical and security complexities that have thus far prevented the effective commencement of field operations.
Regional and international dimensions of the plan
The involvement of influential regional powers such as Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Turkey in the "Peace Council" carries significant political implications, indicating the desire of these countries to play a direct role in shaping the future of the sector to ensure regional stability and prevent a resurgence of conflict. Their participation is a crucial guarantee for the success of any international effort, given their political weight and their extensive relationships with various parties. Conversely, the success of this plan represents a true test of the current US administration's ability to impose its vision for peace in the Middle East through unconventional economic and security mechanisms.
Politics
The Foreign Minister will head the Kingdom's delegation at the Munich Security Conference 2026
Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan arrived in Germany to head the Kingdom's delegation to the Munich Security Conference 2026, with the participation of Adel al-Jubeir and officials to discuss global security issues.

His Highness Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah, Minister of Foreign Affairs, arrived in Munich, Federal Republic of Germany today, to head the delegation of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia participating in the Munich Security Conference 2026, which is one of the most important international forums concerned with discussing security and defense policies worldwide.
The Kingdom's delegation participating in this edition of the conference includes a distinguished group of officials and decision-makers: His Excellency Adel bin Ahmed Al-Jubeir, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Member of the Council of Ministers, and Special Envoy for Climate Affairs; His Excellency Majid bin Mohammed Al-Mazyad, Governor of the National Cybersecurity Authority; and Major General Fahd bin Hamad Al-Otaibi, CEO of the Center for Strategic Defense Studies and Research. This diversity within the delegation reflects the comprehensive Saudi perspective on the modern concept of security, which extends beyond traditional military aspects.
The Munich Security Conference holds immense strategic importance as the premier global platform that brings together heads of state and government, ministers, and senior security officials to discuss current and future crises. The Kingdom's participation at this time underscores its pivotal and leading role in promoting international peace and security, particularly in light of the geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and the world, where Riyadh consistently strives to offer diplomatic solutions that support regional stability.
One of the implications of the formation of the Saudi delegation is the focus on vital files that are at the forefront of the global scene. The presence of the climate affairs envoy indicates the Kingdom’s interest in the file of “environmental security” and the impact of climate change on the stability of countries, while the participation of the governor of the National Cybersecurity Authority reflects the utmost importance that the Kingdom attaches to “digital security” and the protection of infrastructure in light of the escalation of cyber wars globally, which is in line with the objectives of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 in building an integrated security system.
During the conference sessions, His Highness the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Their Excellencies and Highnesses are scheduled to discuss the most prominent regional and international issues and the challenges facing global security and stability, in addition to holding a series of bilateral meetings with their counterparts from friendly and partner countries to strengthen frameworks for joint cooperation and coordinate positions on critical issues.
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