Following Donald Trump’s election victory, Ukrainian President Zelensky has firmly rejected any concessions to Russia, stating that such moves would be unacceptable for Ukraine and Europe. He urged his allies to provide military assistance instead of pressuring him into negotiations that could cede territory to Russia. Meanwhile, Russia has demanded that the West enter direct talks with Moscow to end the war, while also claiming to have made advances in eastern Ukraine and launching strikes on Zaporizhzhia, killing at least four people. Zelensky has previously emphasized the importance of US aid in Ukraine’s fight against Russia.
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Incoming President Trump’s ally, Bryan Lanza, has stated that the administration will prioritize achieving peace in Ukraine, not necessarily regaining territory lost to Russia. Lanza emphasizes that Crimea is “gone” and that the US will not be deploying troops to reclaim it, suggesting a focus on a “realistic vision for peace” with Ukraine. Lanza underscores that the US seeks to end the war and minimize US resource expenditure, prioritizing peace over territory. While specific details of Trump’s peace strategy remain unclear, he is expected to make decisions on this issue independently, guided by a select group of advisors.
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President-elect Trump has declared ending the war in Ukraine as his top priority, aiming to stop what he considers a drain on US resources through military aid. While he hasn’t revealed his strategy, his advisor, Mr. Lanza, emphasizes a realistic approach, suggesting that regaining Crimea from Russia is unrealistic and not a US goal. He advocates for a “vision for peace” rather than “winning” and urges an honest conversation with Ukraine about achievable outcomes. Although Trump has discussed the situation with Ukrainian President Zelensky, the specifics of his peace plan remain unclear, with various advisors potentially offering conflicting viewpoints.
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The Ukrainian 46th Air Mobile Brigade successfully repelled a Russian assault near Kurakhove, halting a column of armored vehicles with mines, artillery, drones, and anti-tank missiles. While this victory is a positive sign for Ukraine, the Russian military continues to advance, albeit at a heavy cost in casualties. The focus on the Kurakhove-Pokrovsk axis suggests a shift in Russian strategy, potentially aimed at capturing Pokrovsk before the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump, whose potential policies could benefit Russia. However, this concentrated effort may leave other fronts vulnerable.
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During a broadcast on a prominent Russian state television channel, presenters celebrated Donald Trump’s reelection by showcasing nude photographs of his wife, Melania Trump, from her modeling days. The segment, which aired on the show “60 minutes,” featured images from a 2000 GQ magazine photoshoot, with one presenter struggling to contain laughter as the photos were displayed. The segment concluded with a voiceover questioning the meaning of “my body my choice,” referencing a video Melania Trump posted promoting her autobiography in which she defended her modeling career. This incident highlights the potential for political and personal attacks through state-controlled media, particularly during a heated election period.
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To counter Russia’s interference with satellite navigation systems, three Finnish airports have reintroduced radio navigation equipment. This move was prompted by frequent GPS jamming in Finland and the Baltic Sea region, which experts believe is intended to safeguard Russian assets from Ukrainian drone attacks. While GPS jamming has been reported across Eastern Europe, it has particularly disrupted civilian aviation, leading to flight cancellations. The reintroduced radio-based equipment provides an alternative for aircraft navigation during these periods of GPS disruption, ensuring continued air travel operations despite these challenges.
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The Russian Interior Ministry has proposed a draft decree empowering police to “preserve and strengthen traditional Russian spiritual and moral values.” This proposed expansion of the ministry’s remit aims to align with public policy objectives, though the decree lacks specifics on how police would execute these functions. This proposal follows the Russian government’s July approval of a plan for safeguarding “traditional values” and a November 2022 decree emphasizing the role of law enforcement in implementing these policies. The government’s efforts to promote “traditional values” have also included offering temporary residency to overseas citizens seeking to escape “neoliberal values.”
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Google initially failed to respond to Ukraine’s request to remove information about the location of Ukrainian military facilities from its maps, despite the potential danger this posed. However, following public outcry and the spread of this information by Russia, Google confirmed they were working to rectify the situation. We are confident that the issue has now been resolved and that military facilities will no longer be displayed on Google Maps.
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The rumor that former President Donald Trump put Elon Musk on the phone with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during a call has sparked a whirlwind of speculation and outrage online. The alleged phone call has raised eyebrows and ignited a firestorm of controversy, with many questioning the implications of such a conversation between these prominent figures.
Some users pointed out that Trump, not being in office at the time, was acting as a civilian and not a sitting president, making the call even more unsettling. The idea that Trump could be engaging in foreign policy, especially with a key ally in a war against Russia, without the proper protocols and clearance, has left many alarmed.… Continue reading
The Biden administration has lifted a ban on American military contractors deploying to Ukraine, allowing them to help maintain and repair US-provided weapons systems like F-16 fighter jets and Patriot air defense systems. This shift aims to expedite repairs and maintenance, particularly for advanced systems requiring specialized expertise, which were previously transported out of Ukraine for repairs. The contractors will be located away from the front lines and their presence in Ukraine is anticipated to be limited, with a few dozen to a couple hundred contractors working at any given time. The decision was made after careful risk assessment and includes a requirement for contractors to develop robust risk mitigation plans to ensure the safety of their employees.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood