January 28, 2022

*) Biden warns Kiev of 'distinct possibility' of Russian invasion next month US President Joe Biden warned Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy that there is a “distinct possibility” Russia could take military action against Ukraine in February. Biden warned that the US believed there was a high degree of likelihood that Russia could invade when the ground freezes and Russian forces could attack Ukrainian territory from north of Kiev. Biden reiterated American and allied support, including recent deliveries of US military aid, and told Zelenskyy he was “exploring additional macroeconomic support to help Ukraine’s economy”. The recent Russian build-up of tens of thousands of troops on Ukraine's borders has sparked fears of an invasion. *) N Korea confirms missile tests, Kim praises 'important' munitions factory North Korea has test-fired two different weapons systems this week, part of a record-breaking streak of launches, state media confirmed. The official Korean Central News Agency said Thursday’s launch involved long-range cruise missiles flying over the East Sea, and hitting "the target island 1,800 km away". Pyongyang has conducted six weapons tests in January, including hypersonic missiles, as it doubles down on Kim's military-boosting plans and ignores US offers of talks. *) Turkish Cypriot govt slams UNSC for extending Cyprus mission The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus has blasted the UN Security Council for extending the international peacekeeping mission on the long-divided island for six more months. The Prime Ministry of the TRNC called the UN decision a "violation of the UN's own principles and rules" because the international body failed to obtain the consent of the Turkish Cypriots. Turkiye also called the UN decision "contrary" to the world body's rules. *) Military promises normalcy in Burkina Faso when 'conditions are right' Burkina Faso's new military leader Lieutenant Colonel Paul-Henri Damiba has claimed that the West African country will return to constitutional order "w