January 22, 2026
World
World
TOKYO, Jan 22 — Japan has halted the restart of the world’s largest nuclear power plant just hours after it began, though the reactor remains “stable,” the operator said.
MOSCOW, Jan 21 — Russian President Vladimir Putin is scheduled to meet US special envoy Steve Witkoff tomorrow, the Kremlin said, as Washington steps up efforts to broker an end to the nearly four-year war in Ukraine.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed the meeting, telling RBK news outlet today that the talks are on the president’s agenda.
Witkoff earlier said he plans to travel to Moscow from the World Economic Forum in Davos tomorrow night, accompanied by Jared Kushner, the son-in-law of US President Donald Trump.
Trump has appointed both men to help negotiate a resolution to the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
“Jared and I will depart Thursday night, arrive in Moscow late, and then proceed to the UAE afterward for working group discussions,” Witkoff told Bloomberg TV.
According to Witkoff, the meeting was requested by Russia, and he expressed confidence that both sides are close to finalising the remaining “10 per cent” of a potential agreement. He also said he would meet Ukrainian representatives later today.
In recent months, the United States has intensified diplomatic efforts to end Europe’s deadliest conflict since World War II.
Ukraine has said it has agreed to about “90 per cent” of a deal, but major sticking points — including territorial issues — remain unresolved. Kyiv is also pressing its allies for firm post-war security guarantees, which it says are crucial to preventing future Russian aggression.
The talks come as the fourth anniversary of Russia’s offensive approaches and amid continued Russian strikes on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure throughout the winter. — AFP
