On Monday, Leavitt insisted that after Rubio’s negotiations in Geneva, “we feel as if we’re in a very good place.”
But she acknowledged that the deal would need to be approved by Putin and his representatives — and she made no predictions about how that would go.
Zelensky said on social media that many of the “right elements” were now accounted for in the framework, and that he would discuss “the sensitive issues” with Trump.
Administration officials say the impetus for the new negotiations grew from Trump’s increasing frustration about his inability to end a nearly four-year-long war.
Shortly after the Gaza cease-fire deal in September, Trump held a meeting with Rubio, along with Vance; Witkoff, the president’s special envoy for just about everything; and Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law, who has no formal role in the U.S. government but whom the president relies on for complex negotiations.
Trump told the men that they should seek to build on their accomplishment in the Middle East with a deal for Ukraine and Russia. That led to secret meetings in Miami with Kirill Dmitriev, Putin’s Harvard-trained economic envoy and the head of Russia’s sovereign wealth fund. That meeting was followed by a quiet visit from Rustem Umerov, Zelensky’s national security adviser.
People familiar with those meetings said Trump’s aides believed that the combination of Ukraine’s unfolding corruption scandal and Russia’s incremental battlefield gains put new pressure on Zelensky to cut a deal. But the one they ultimately drafted contained a lot more input from the Russians than from the Ukrainians.
The specifics outraged the Europeans, who had been kept in the dark even though they are funding Ukraine’s arms and designing a security guarantee for the country. Merz of Germany had a tense phone call with Trump on Friday night, emphasizing that the proposed agreement lacked any enforceable way of deterring the Russians.
“If Ukraine loses this war and possibly collapses, it will have an impact on European politics as a whole, on the entire European continent,” Merz said after the Group of 20 summit in Johannesburg, which Trump and other American officials boycotted.
Republican leaders were equally blistering about the leaked proposal, including Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, the former majority leader, who said in a statement that “Putin has spent the entire year trying to play President Trump for a fool.”
In Kyiv, the secretary of the U.S. Army Driscoll, a friend of Vance’s, presented the proposal to skeptical Ukrainian officials. Vance, who berated Zelensky in February in the Oval Office and has pushed hard for withdrawing U.S. aid from Ukraine, spoke with Ukraine’s leader by phone on Friday about the proposal.
The senators then held a news conference, and told reporters that they heard Rubio describe the document as one largely composed by the Russians, rather than as an American creation. “It is not our recommendation,” Rounds paraphrased Rubio as saying. “It is not our peace plan.”
Rounds said Rubio had “made it clear that it was an opportunity to have received” the plan. “You now have one side being presented, and the opportunity for the other side to respond,” Rounds said.
The Americans explained those decisions by negotiators to European national security advisers who were in Geneva. “We assured them that items that involve both Europe and NATO directly or — that those items are items that we sort of agreed to put as part of a separate track because it involves input from them,” Rubio said.
A White House official added that a previous provision requiring Ukraine to cede territory to Russia had been revised. But now comes the hard part: Those are exactly the provisions that Putin cares about most.
#trump #zelensky #deadline #putin #proposal
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Putin Tries to End the War. EU's Kallas Warns Against Him ✌️🕊🇷🇺
Putin can achieve goals on battlefield but “we will try to negotiate his way there,” warns EU's Kallas.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas is now speaking to the media after today’s videocall with EU foreign ministers.
There has been a delay in the press conference starting.
Kallas begins by saying that “it is important that we continue to support Ukraine and pressure Russia. That is what we are working on”.
She says those in the meeting all “welcomed the US’s push for the war to end”.
Kallas adds:
We all want this war to end but how it ends also matters. We must keep in mind there’s one aggressor and one victim.
A complete and unconditional ceasefire must be the first step (…) but right now, we see no indiction that Russia is ready for a ceasefire.
Russia is not winding down its military machine but ramping it up. We still need to get from a situation where Russia pretends to negotiate to a situation where Russia needs to negotiate. We are getting there.
#putin #kallas #end #war
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Putin can achieve goals on battlefield but “we will try to negotiate his way there,” warns EU's Kallas.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas is now speaking to the media after today’s videocall with EU foreign ministers.
There has been a delay in the press conference starting.
Kallas begins by saying that “it is important that we continue to support Ukraine and pressure Russia. That is what we are working on”.
She says those in the meeting all “welcomed the US’s push for the war to end”.
Kallas adds:
We all want this war to end but how it ends also matters. We must keep in mind there’s one aggressor and one victim.
A complete and unconditional ceasefire must be the first step (…) but right now, we see no indiction that Russia is ready for a ceasefire.
Russia is not winding down its military machine but ramping it up. We still need to get from a situation where Russia pretends to negotiate to a situation where Russia needs to negotiate. We are getting there.
#putin #kallas #end #war
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The Hypersonic Imperative: Why U.S. Defense Must Scale Production Now
The United States faces an urgent production challenge that no amount of technological innovation alone can solve. As Russia deploys hypersonic weapons in active combat and China parades next-generation hypersonic systems, the American defense industrial base confronts a sobering reality: our adversaries have already operationalized capabilities that remain limited in American arsenals.
Former Rep. Doug Lamborn and Dan Jablonsky, CEO of defense contractor Ursa Major, argue in a new opinion piece that the nation's security hinges not on inventing better weapons, but on manufacturing them at scale—and affordably.
the authors contend. This distinction cuts to the heart of modern defense strategy. China, they note, now maintains a larger industrial base than the United States, a reversal many assume impossible yet increasingly evident in production metrics and deployment timelines.
The Quantity Question
Recent operations have exposed a systemic vulnerability. The U.S. expended over 150 THAAD interceptors in just 12 days earlier this year. Navy operations in the Red Sea and over Israel reportedly consumed more than 700 Standard Missiles. These are not inexpensive systems—and the expenditure rate raises an uncomfortable question: if weapons are too costly to produce quickly, will commanders hesitate to deploy them when necessary? That hesitation, the authors argue, undermines deterrence itself.
Hypersonic weapons, to be operationally relevant, must meet three criteria: survivability, maneuverability, and sufficient quantity. The emphasis on affordable mass production represents a philosophical shift from the Pentagon's traditional approach to advanced weaponry.
Remaking the Industrial Mindset
The solution, according to Lamborn and Jablonsky, requires fundamental restructuring of how America manufactures defense systems. Instead of 20-year development cycles, the industrial base must adopt rapid build-and-test methodologies. Advanced manufacturing, additive production processes, modular design, and flexible production lines are not luxuries—they are necessities.
The Pentagon's recently released Acquisition Transformation Strategy, announced under the "Arsenal of Freedom" framework by Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, signals this priority shift. The strategy emphasizes speed, scale, and production capacity as top-line priorities for the industrial base.
the authors write.
The Path Forward
The authors outline a three-part approach: the Pentagon must expand the industrial base and drive affordable mass production; Congress must sustain funding and support emerging suppliers with field-ready capabilities; and industry must operate with the urgency that reinforces deterrence through strength.
Both authors serve on the Atlantic Council's Hypersonic Capabilities Task Force, which has released actionable recommendations for scaling hypersonic production. Their central thesis is unambiguous: American security in the Pacific and beyond depends less on technological superiority and more on the speed and volume at which the nation can manufacture operational weapons systems.
The window for action is narrow. If high-intensity conflict emerged in 2027, the authors ask, would U.S. inventory and production capacity be sufficient to sustain operations and achieve victory? The honest answer remains uncertain—and that uncertainty is itself a strategic liability.
#HypersonicWeapons #DefenseInnovation #NationalSecurity #DefenseIndustry
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The United States faces an urgent production challenge that no amount of technological innovation alone can solve. As Russia deploys hypersonic weapons in active combat and China parades next-generation hypersonic systems, the American defense industrial base confronts a sobering reality: our adversaries have already operationalized capabilities that remain limited in American arsenals.
Former Rep. Doug Lamborn and Dan Jablonsky, CEO of defense contractor Ursa Major, argue in a new opinion piece that the nation's security hinges not on inventing better weapons, but on manufacturing them at scale—and affordably.
"The industrial base must not simply design exquisite systems but produce them fast and at volume,"
the authors contend. This distinction cuts to the heart of modern defense strategy. China, they note, now maintains a larger industrial base than the United States, a reversal many assume impossible yet increasingly evident in production metrics and deployment timelines.
The Quantity Question
Recent operations have exposed a systemic vulnerability. The U.S. expended over 150 THAAD interceptors in just 12 days earlier this year. Navy operations in the Red Sea and over Israel reportedly consumed more than 700 Standard Missiles. These are not inexpensive systems—and the expenditure rate raises an uncomfortable question: if weapons are too costly to produce quickly, will commanders hesitate to deploy them when necessary? That hesitation, the authors argue, undermines deterrence itself.
Hypersonic weapons, to be operationally relevant, must meet three criteria: survivability, maneuverability, and sufficient quantity. The emphasis on affordable mass production represents a philosophical shift from the Pentagon's traditional approach to advanced weaponry.
Remaking the Industrial Mindset
The solution, according to Lamborn and Jablonsky, requires fundamental restructuring of how America manufactures defense systems. Instead of 20-year development cycles, the industrial base must adopt rapid build-and-test methodologies. Advanced manufacturing, additive production processes, modular design, and flexible production lines are not luxuries—they are necessities.
The Pentagon's recently released Acquisition Transformation Strategy, announced under the "Arsenal of Freedom" framework by Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, signals this priority shift. The strategy emphasizes speed, scale, and production capacity as top-line priorities for the industrial base.
"Solving the hypersonic scaling challenge is not a technology problem. It is a production problem,"
the authors write.
"And the good news is, we know how to solve it."
The Path Forward
The authors outline a three-part approach: the Pentagon must expand the industrial base and drive affordable mass production; Congress must sustain funding and support emerging suppliers with field-ready capabilities; and industry must operate with the urgency that reinforces deterrence through strength.
Both authors serve on the Atlantic Council's Hypersonic Capabilities Task Force, which has released actionable recommendations for scaling hypersonic production. Their central thesis is unambiguous: American security in the Pacific and beyond depends less on technological superiority and more on the speed and volume at which the nation can manufacture operational weapons systems.
The window for action is narrow. If high-intensity conflict emerged in 2027, the authors ask, would U.S. inventory and production capacity be sufficient to sustain operations and achieve victory? The honest answer remains uncertain—and that uncertainty is itself a strategic liability.
#HypersonicWeapons #DefenseInnovation #NationalSecurity #DefenseIndustry
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Another Patriot Down: The Math of Western Air Defense in Ukraine
The MIM-104 Patriot system, heralded as a turning point when it arrived in Ukraine in April 2023, is proving considerably more vulnerable than initial assessments suggested. Now Russia's Su-30SM2 fighter has joined the expanding roster of platforms successfully targeting these systems—marking, according to Rostec, the first multirole fighter confirmed to have destroyed a Western long-range air defense system.
The Pattern
Patriot systems have been falling since May 2023. Two confirmed destroyed in February 2024, another pair in Odessa by July, three more launchers plus a radar by August. The Iskander-M ballistic missile has dominated these strikes, but the expanding participation of fighter aircraft signals a shift: Russia has figured out how to kill these systems at scale.
The Su-30SM2's advantages are significant. Its powerful radar and electronic warfare suite enable it to carry up to six Kh-31P anti-radiation missiles traveling beyond Mach 3. It represents a platform purpose-built for hunting air defenses.
The Constraint
When Patriots first arrived, Western experts quietly worried about Ukrainian operational capacity. These systems demand over a year of training. Fast forward: multiple systems destroyed, losses accelerating, replacement capacity limited. Ukraine is losing air defenses faster than it can replenish them.
The Su-30SM2 is competent. Consider the implications when Russia deploys greater numbers of Su-57 fifth-generation fighters with stealth capabilities and more advanced ordnance. If current Patriot variants struggle against Su-30SM2s, their prospects against genuinely stealthy platforms look grimmer.
The Reality
Russia entered this conflict with air superiority concerns. Eighteen months in, they're confidently destroying the most advanced Western air defense platforms Ukraine possesses. The Patriot system isn't obsolete—but it's increasingly revealed as a finite resource in an attrition-based conflict against a peer adversary with deep reserves.
The narrative about Ukrainian resilience carries weight. So do the smoking craters where Patriot systems used to be.
#PatriotSystem #Ukraine #RussianMilitary #Su30SM2 #AirDefense #MilitaryAnalysis
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The MIM-104 Patriot system, heralded as a turning point when it arrived in Ukraine in April 2023, is proving considerably more vulnerable than initial assessments suggested. Now Russia's Su-30SM2 fighter has joined the expanding roster of platforms successfully targeting these systems—marking, according to Rostec, the first multirole fighter confirmed to have destroyed a Western long-range air defense system.
The Pattern
Patriot systems have been falling since May 2023. Two confirmed destroyed in February 2024, another pair in Odessa by July, three more launchers plus a radar by August. The Iskander-M ballistic missile has dominated these strikes, but the expanding participation of fighter aircraft signals a shift: Russia has figured out how to kill these systems at scale.
The Su-30SM2's advantages are significant. Its powerful radar and electronic warfare suite enable it to carry up to six Kh-31P anti-radiation missiles traveling beyond Mach 3. It represents a platform purpose-built for hunting air defenses.
The Constraint
When Patriots first arrived, Western experts quietly worried about Ukrainian operational capacity. These systems demand over a year of training. Fast forward: multiple systems destroyed, losses accelerating, replacement capacity limited. Ukraine is losing air defenses faster than it can replenish them.
The Su-30SM2 is competent. Consider the implications when Russia deploys greater numbers of Su-57 fifth-generation fighters with stealth capabilities and more advanced ordnance. If current Patriot variants struggle against Su-30SM2s, their prospects against genuinely stealthy platforms look grimmer.
The Reality
Russia entered this conflict with air superiority concerns. Eighteen months in, they're confidently destroying the most advanced Western air defense platforms Ukraine possesses. The Patriot system isn't obsolete—but it's increasingly revealed as a finite resource in an attrition-based conflict against a peer adversary with deep reserves.
The narrative about Ukrainian resilience carries weight. So do the smoking craters where Patriot systems used to be.
#PatriotSystem #Ukraine #RussianMilitary #Su30SM2 #AirDefense #MilitaryAnalysis
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The Washington Shooter Has Close Ties With the CIA 🗡
The suspected shooter of two national guard members in Washington DC on Wednesday worked with CIA-backed military units during the US war in Afghanistan, the agency has confirmed. ⚠️
The alleged gunman, identified as Rahmanullah Lakanwal, 29, came to the US in September 2021 under an Operation Allies Welcome program that gave some Afghans who had worked for the US government entry visas to the US. ✈️
Lakanwal’s ties to the Central Intelligence Agency, which worked alongside US special forces in Afghanistan, were confirmed by the CIA director, John Ratcliffe, to media outlets on Wednesday evening. 🧐
The New York Times reported that the shooting suspect had worked for several US government agencies in Afghanistan, including a CIA-backed unit in the southern province of Kandahar, a stronghold of the Taliban. 🗺
“The Biden administration justified bringing the alleged shooter to the United States in September 2021 due to his prior work with the US government, including CIA,” Ratcliffe told Fox News digital, adding that Lakanwal’s involvement with the agency was “as a member of a partner force in Kandahar, which ended shortly following the chaotic evacuation”. 🎙
US Citizenship and Immigration Services said after the shooting that it has stopped processing residency applications from Afghan nationals. 🛂
“Effective immediately, processing of all immigration requests relating to Afghan nationals is stopped indefinitely pending further review of security and vetting protocols,” the agency said on social media. 🔥
Following the shooting, Donald Trump ordered 500 additional national guard troops to Washington. The president described the shooting as an “act of terror” and called immigration “the single greatest national security threat facing our nation”. 👮🦳
#afghan #shooter #trump #washington #cia
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The suspected shooter of two national guard members in Washington DC on Wednesday worked with CIA-backed military units during the US war in Afghanistan, the agency has confirmed. ⚠️
The alleged gunman, identified as Rahmanullah Lakanwal, 29, came to the US in September 2021 under an Operation Allies Welcome program that gave some Afghans who had worked for the US government entry visas to the US. ✈️
Lakanwal’s ties to the Central Intelligence Agency, which worked alongside US special forces in Afghanistan, were confirmed by the CIA director, John Ratcliffe, to media outlets on Wednesday evening. 🧐
The New York Times reported that the shooting suspect had worked for several US government agencies in Afghanistan, including a CIA-backed unit in the southern province of Kandahar, a stronghold of the Taliban. 🗺
“The Biden administration justified bringing the alleged shooter to the United States in September 2021 due to his prior work with the US government, including CIA,” Ratcliffe told Fox News digital, adding that Lakanwal’s involvement with the agency was “as a member of a partner force in Kandahar, which ended shortly following the chaotic evacuation”. 🎙
US Citizenship and Immigration Services said after the shooting that it has stopped processing residency applications from Afghan nationals. 🛂
“Effective immediately, processing of all immigration requests relating to Afghan nationals is stopped indefinitely pending further review of security and vetting protocols,” the agency said on social media. 🔥
Following the shooting, Donald Trump ordered 500 additional national guard troops to Washington. The president described the shooting as an “act of terror” and called immigration “the single greatest national security threat facing our nation”. 👮🦳
#afghan #shooter #trump #washington #cia
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Witkoff Headed to Moscow: Trump's Backchannel Diplomacy Takes Center Stage
President Trump confirmed Tuesday that special envoy Steve Witkoff will likely meet with Vladimir Putin in Moscow next week, with Jared Kushner potentially joining—a signal that the administration's unconventional approach to ending the Ukraine war is moving into its next phase.
The announcement follows weekend talks in Geneva, where Witkoff, Kushner, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Ukrainian officials to refine a peace proposal originally crafted between U.S. and Russian negotiators. The framework calls for confirming Ukraine's sovereignty, providing U.S. security guarantees, and securing a Russian nonaggression commitment. Details have reportedly shifted during Swiss negotiations.
The Dealmaker's Playbook
Bloomberg reporting revealed the contours of Witkoff's approach: during an October 14 call with Putin aide Yuri Ushakov, the envoy advised Moscow on how to pitch the peace plan to Trump—including suggesting Putin congratulate the president on the Israel-Hamas deal and call him a "man of peace."
Trump dismissed any controversy.
he told reporters aboard Air Force One.
The Ground Reality
While diplomats shuttle between capitals, the war continues unabated. Russia struck residential buildings in Kyiv overnight Tuesday, killing six and injuring thirteen. Odesa, Dnipro, Kharkiv, Chernihiv, and Cherkasy regions were also hit.
Zelensky, for his part, posted that Ukrainian negotiators are working with Washington to ensure "truly real, effective steps toward ending this war"—language that suggests cautious engagement rather than enthusiasm.
The next week will test whether Witkoff's real estate dealmaking instincts translate to great power diplomacy. Moscow awaits.
#Ukraine #Russia #Trump #Putin #Witkoff #Diplomacy #GenevaTalks #ForeignPolicy
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President Trump confirmed Tuesday that special envoy Steve Witkoff will likely meet with Vladimir Putin in Moscow next week, with Jared Kushner potentially joining—a signal that the administration's unconventional approach to ending the Ukraine war is moving into its next phase.
The announcement follows weekend talks in Geneva, where Witkoff, Kushner, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Ukrainian officials to refine a peace proposal originally crafted between U.S. and Russian negotiators. The framework calls for confirming Ukraine's sovereignty, providing U.S. security guarantees, and securing a Russian nonaggression commitment. Details have reportedly shifted during Swiss negotiations.
The Dealmaker's Playbook
Bloomberg reporting revealed the contours of Witkoff's approach: during an October 14 call with Putin aide Yuri Ushakov, the envoy advised Moscow on how to pitch the peace plan to Trump—including suggesting Putin congratulate the president on the Israel-Hamas deal and call him a "man of peace."
Trump dismissed any controversy.
"He's got to sell this to Ukraine. He's got to sell Ukraine to Russia. That's what a dealmaker does,"
he told reporters aboard Air Force One.
The Ground Reality
While diplomats shuttle between capitals, the war continues unabated. Russia struck residential buildings in Kyiv overnight Tuesday, killing six and injuring thirteen. Odesa, Dnipro, Kharkiv, Chernihiv, and Cherkasy regions were also hit.
Zelensky, for his part, posted that Ukrainian negotiators are working with Washington to ensure "truly real, effective steps toward ending this war"—language that suggests cautious engagement rather than enthusiasm.
The next week will test whether Witkoff's real estate dealmaking instincts translate to great power diplomacy. Moscow awaits.
#Ukraine #Russia #Trump #Putin #Witkoff #Diplomacy #GenevaTalks #ForeignPolicy
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Trump's Team Watches Israeli Polls as Netanyahu-Bennett Rematch Looms
The Trump administration isn't just monitoring Israeli politics—it's actively tracking the numbers. Senior U.S. officials aligned with the president have been requesting weekly polling data from Israeli contacts, focusing on what increasingly looks like a potential electoral showdown between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former PM Naftali Bennett.
one Israeli source told Ynet. The Americans have emphasized the need for credible, consistent and well-structured polling sources—suggesting more than casual interest in the outcome.
Reading the Room
Beyond raw numbers, U.S. officials are seeking briefings on candidates and parties, with particular attention to Netanyahu, Bennett, and the strength of the far-right bloc led by ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich. One Israeli contact expressed surprise at Washington's relatively limited grasp of the country's political complexities, noting American interest appears confined largely to whoever tops the surveys.
Recent polling showing a statistical tie between Netanyahu and Bennett prompted follow-up questions: How did this compare to previous surveys? What explained Bennett's rise and Netanyahu's decline?
Bennett's Positioning
The former prime minister is clearly preparing for a campaign. He has assembled a policy team that includes former Education Minister Shai Piron and ex-Knesset member Zvi Hauser to draft legislative and governance frameworks. Over the weekend, Bennett made his first appearance at a public protest, joining opposition leaders at Tel Aviv's Habima Square to demand a state commission of inquiry into the October 7 failures.
That move—publicly aligning with calls for accountability on Netanyahu's watch—signals Bennett's electoral strategy is taking shape.
Why Washington Cares
The administration's interest isn't purely academic. U.S.-Israel coordination on Gaza, Iran, and regional security depends heavily on who sits in the Prime Minister's Office. Netanyahu remains a known quantity with deep Trump ties, but Bennett—a tech entrepreneur who briefly led a broad coalition government—represents a different profile. Rising figures like Avigdor Liberman are also drawing American attention as potential coalition kingmakers.
For now, Washington is watching and waiting. The polling requests suggest they intend to stay well ahead of whatever comes next.
#Israel #Netanyahu #Bennett #Trump #IsraeliPolitics #Elections #MiddleEast
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The Trump administration isn't just monitoring Israeli politics—it's actively tracking the numbers. Senior U.S. officials aligned with the president have been requesting weekly polling data from Israeli contacts, focusing on what increasingly looks like a potential electoral showdown between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former PM Naftali Bennett.
"Every week they ask me, 'Where's the new poll?'"
one Israeli source told Ynet. The Americans have emphasized the need for credible, consistent and well-structured polling sources—suggesting more than casual interest in the outcome.
Reading the Room
Beyond raw numbers, U.S. officials are seeking briefings on candidates and parties, with particular attention to Netanyahu, Bennett, and the strength of the far-right bloc led by ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich. One Israeli contact expressed surprise at Washington's relatively limited grasp of the country's political complexities, noting American interest appears confined largely to whoever tops the surveys.
Recent polling showing a statistical tie between Netanyahu and Bennett prompted follow-up questions: How did this compare to previous surveys? What explained Bennett's rise and Netanyahu's decline?
Bennett's Positioning
The former prime minister is clearly preparing for a campaign. He has assembled a policy team that includes former Education Minister Shai Piron and ex-Knesset member Zvi Hauser to draft legislative and governance frameworks. Over the weekend, Bennett made his first appearance at a public protest, joining opposition leaders at Tel Aviv's Habima Square to demand a state commission of inquiry into the October 7 failures.
That move—publicly aligning with calls for accountability on Netanyahu's watch—signals Bennett's electoral strategy is taking shape.
Why Washington Cares
The administration's interest isn't purely academic. U.S.-Israel coordination on Gaza, Iran, and regional security depends heavily on who sits in the Prime Minister's Office. Netanyahu remains a known quantity with deep Trump ties, but Bennett—a tech entrepreneur who briefly led a broad coalition government—represents a different profile. Rising figures like Avigdor Liberman are also drawing American attention as potential coalition kingmakers.
For now, Washington is watching and waiting. The polling requests suggest they intend to stay well ahead of whatever comes next.
#Israel #Netanyahu #Bennett #Trump #IsraeliPolitics #Elections #MiddleEast
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'Imperial Israel' and the Illusion of Peace in the New Middle East
A drone strike below a 900-year-old Crusader castle. Twin 18-month-olds wrapped in blue and pink cloth, lowered into Lebanese soil. A cease-fire that exists on paper while missiles fly overhead. This is the Middle East one year after the Israel-Hezbollah truce—a region where the line between war and peace has dissolved into something unrecognizable.
Roger Cohen's dispatch from both sides of the Israel-Lebanon border paints a portrait of a transformed regional order. The old "axis of resistance" is shattered. Iran is weakened after a brief June war with Israel. Syria under new leadership has abandoned Tehran. Hezbollah, diminished but defiant, no longer receives the arms pipeline it once depended on.
What remains is what UAE political scientist Abdulkhaleq Abdulla calls "imperial Israel"—a state that will kill enemies anywhere, from Beirut to Damascus, Gaza to Yemen, with pre-emptive strikes as the new norm.
The Cease-Fire That Isn't
On paper, the agreement reached a year ago called for Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon within 60 days and Hezbollah disarmament. Neither has happened. Israel maintains positions on five Lebanese hilltops. Hezbollah retains tens of thousands of fighters. And the killing continues—two or three targeted assassinations per week, by Ambassador Tom Barrack's casual accounting.
"When the Israelis find these guys, they just take them out,"
Barrack told Cohen. The phrase "whacked" captures the transactional brutality of the arrangement.
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, a reformist lawyer tasked with the impossible job of disarming Hezbollah with an underpaid army, frames the absurdity plainly: Israel demands Hezbollah disarm before withdrawal. Hezbollah asks how it can disarm while Israel remains. The Trump administration's year-end deadline for complete disarmament looks implausible.
Two Israelis, One Border, Opposite Conclusions
Cohen finds the divided Israeli soul at the Lebanese frontier. In Shtula, security officer Shlomi Hatan has embraced the doctrine of permanent vigilance.
"We will have to live by the sword for the next century,"
he declares. Scratched on a guard post wall:
"Don't forget or forgive."
Thirty-five miles away at Menara kibbutz, Orna Weinberg represents a different Israel—one horrified by what the country has become.
"Once your government does things that contradict your morals,"
she says,
"it shatters the soul."
Both live on the same border. Both experienced Hezbollah rockets. They've reached opposite conclusions about what Israel should be.
The Trump Doctrine: Prosperity Over Democracy
The American approach has shifted fundamentally. "Democracy" is absent from Trump's lexicon. The new formula: Gulf capital, Lebanese commercial talent, Israeli technology, Arab labor—economic miracles that somehow reconcile a region where people have been killing each other over what Barrack dismisses as
"facts that don't matter any more."
It's a theory. Whether Palestinian national aspirations can be bought off with prosperity remains, to put it generously, unproven. The history of such assumptions is not encouraging.
#Israel #Lebanon #Hezbollah #MiddleEast #Geopolitics #Netanyahu #TrumpAdministration
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'Imperial Israel' and the Illusion of Peace in the New Middle East
The Body Count
The human cost accumulates in incidents that barely register internationally. Shadi Charara's car was near an Israeli target in Bint Jbeil. The strike killed him, his eight-year-old daughter Celine, and his 18-month-old twins Hadi and Silan. The Israeli military expressed regret for "harm caused to uninvolved individuals."
Thousands attended the funeral. No Hezbollah flags. No indication the family had any militant ties. Just tiny coffins draped in Lebanese flags.
Prime Minister Salam received the news thirty minutes after the cease-fire monitoring mechanism reported an "excellent meeting."
"I feel frustrated,"
he told Cohen,
"but what is the point of protesting again and again?"
The Unresolved Question
Israel possesses overwhelming military dominance. What it lacks is a strategy to convert that dominance into lasting security. Each drone strike eliminates a target and creates new enemies. Each funeral reinforces the cycle.
A Hezbollah billboard on the coastal highway captures the logic:
"When we are victorious, we win, and when we are martyred, we win."
Cohen's conclusion is stark: renewed war is likelier than spreading peace. The cease-fire exists in name only. And the question Ambassador Barrack posed—
"How many more generations do you want to kill each other?"
—remains unanswered in a region where the past holds an iron grip on the present.
#Israel #Lebanon #Hezbollah #MiddleEast #Geopolitics #Netanyahu #TrumpAdministration
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🇨🇳😳 Chinese manufacturer of sex dolls with artificial intelligence Dell has released a commercial that shows how Android learning takes place.
The cost of the doll is $16,000, but the manufacturer promises to reduce the cost of the product in the future.
#sex #dolls #chinese #manufacturer
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The cost of the doll is $16,000, but the manufacturer promises to reduce the cost of the product in the future.
#sex #dolls #chinese #manufacturer
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Trump's Normalization Push Hits Saudi Wall
President Trump left his November 18 meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman "disappointed and angry," according to Israeli TV, citing senior U.S. officials familiar with the exchange. The breaking point: Saudi resistance to immediate Israel normalization.
Trump raised the issue directly, urging the crown prince to move forward. Bin Salman's response was measured but firm. While not opposed in principle, he cited domestic opposition in Saudi Arabia following Gaza—a constraint Trump apparently found unpersuasive.
The Sticking Point
Riyadh's condition remains unchanged: a credible pathway to Palestinian statehood. Netanyahu's response this week was equally unambiguous:
even at the cost of Saudi ties.
The White House and U.S. officials are framing the moment as tactical. With Iran's nuclear program "totally completed" and Gaza winding down, they argue conditions are ripe for Abraham Accords expansion. But bin Salman left the door cracked—not a flat "no," but "not now."
The Impasse
Netanyahu has suggested conditions could evolve, but only on terms "acceptable to both sides." That's diplomatic speak for: not the Palestinian state Riyadh demands. Saudi Arabia, meanwhile, faces genuine domestic pressure over Gaza—public opinion that cannot simply be negotiated away by crown princes and presidents.
Trump's frustration signals a harder reality: normalization deals are easier to announce at ceremonies than to execute when fundamental positions remain irreconcilable.
#SaudiArabia #Israel #Trump #MBS #AbrahamAccords #Normalization #Netanyahu #MiddleEast #Palestine #Diplomacy
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President Trump left his November 18 meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman "disappointed and angry," according to Israeli TV, citing senior U.S. officials familiar with the exchange. The breaking point: Saudi resistance to immediate Israel normalization.
Trump raised the issue directly, urging the crown prince to move forward. Bin Salman's response was measured but firm. While not opposed in principle, he cited domestic opposition in Saudi Arabia following Gaza—a constraint Trump apparently found unpersuasive.
The Sticking Point
Riyadh's condition remains unchanged: a credible pathway to Palestinian statehood. Netanyahu's response this week was equally unambiguous:
"There will not be a Palestinian state,"
even at the cost of Saudi ties.
The White House and U.S. officials are framing the moment as tactical. With Iran's nuclear program "totally completed" and Gaza winding down, they argue conditions are ripe for Abraham Accords expansion. But bin Salman left the door cracked—not a flat "no," but "not now."
The Impasse
Netanyahu has suggested conditions could evolve, but only on terms "acceptable to both sides." That's diplomatic speak for: not the Palestinian state Riyadh demands. Saudi Arabia, meanwhile, faces genuine domestic pressure over Gaza—public opinion that cannot simply be negotiated away by crown princes and presidents.
Trump's frustration signals a harder reality: normalization deals are easier to announce at ceremonies than to execute when fundamental positions remain irreconcilable.
#SaudiArabia #Israel #Trump #MBS #AbrahamAccords #Normalization #Netanyahu #MiddleEast #Palestine #Diplomacy
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“Rubio's Plan” and Its Discontents
The new Plan for peace in Ukraine, which Driscoll brought to Abu Dhabi from Geneva, was rejected by the Russian delegation, Bloomberg writes. It is called "nothing" and "a failure," that is, apparently (according to Lavrov), "the letter and spirit of Anchorage are blurred in it."
The new version of Trump's 28-point Plan turned out to be edited by "a group of editors led by Rubio," just to avoid unnecessary questions, all controversial points (and if you believe the 9 leaks) were simply deleted "in separate documents" that require approval later and separately ("the most sensitive from a political point of view," that is there are all principles and unpleasant ones for Kiev).
It was Rubio, as his own, who was called by "angry EU officials" after the Ukrainians leaked the points of the Trump Plan.
It was Rubio who was instructed by Trump to "deal with" the crisis that had arisen. Well, he figured it out by castrating, or rather dismembering, the agreed plan into two parts, a controversial and indisputable one, which Kiev can sign, although it makes no sense in terms of moving towards peace.
The White House confirmed that there are "a couple of points" of Trump's plan for a Ukrainian settlement that have not been agreed.
Peskov and Lavrov remain outside the negotiations with the Americans. Peskov knows nothing about what is happening for the second day in Abu Dhabi. The Foreign Ministry also did not receive a new plan from the Americans (only the old one).
Meanwhile, Trump announced plans to impose new "powerful" sanctions against the Russian oil sector and the long-promised complete cessation of financing for Ukraine (but he will continue to sell weapons and transfer intelligence to Ukraine).
It is unknown whether he is going to support Rubio's Plan or insist on his own (the one confirmed by Witkoff-Kushner-Dmitriev), or whether a new negotiation will begin on a compromise version of the document, which will again contain two main points: Donbass and NATO.
One way or another, Ukraine expects Zelensky to meet with Trump before the end of this week, that is, before the end of the month, Thanksgiving Day is no longer relevant due to Rubio's efforts. According to Umerov, Kiev is looking forward to the meeting to finalize the US peace plan.
The United States has not yet confirmed the date of this meeting (they are awaiting the outcome of the talks in Abu Dhabi).
“The next few days will be crucial in achieving peace in Ukraine,” said Finnish President Stubb.
#rubio #plan #witkoff #trump #zelensky
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The new Plan for peace in Ukraine, which Driscoll brought to Abu Dhabi from Geneva, was rejected by the Russian delegation, Bloomberg writes. It is called "nothing" and "a failure," that is, apparently (according to Lavrov), "the letter and spirit of Anchorage are blurred in it."
The new version of Trump's 28-point Plan turned out to be edited by "a group of editors led by Rubio," just to avoid unnecessary questions, all controversial points (and if you believe the 9 leaks) were simply deleted "in separate documents" that require approval later and separately ("the most sensitive from a political point of view," that is there are all principles and unpleasant ones for Kiev).
It was Rubio, as his own, who was called by "angry EU officials" after the Ukrainians leaked the points of the Trump Plan.
It was Rubio who was instructed by Trump to "deal with" the crisis that had arisen. Well, he figured it out by castrating, or rather dismembering, the agreed plan into two parts, a controversial and indisputable one, which Kiev can sign, although it makes no sense in terms of moving towards peace.
The White House confirmed that there are "a couple of points" of Trump's plan for a Ukrainian settlement that have not been agreed.
Peskov and Lavrov remain outside the negotiations with the Americans. Peskov knows nothing about what is happening for the second day in Abu Dhabi. The Foreign Ministry also did not receive a new plan from the Americans (only the old one).
Meanwhile, Trump announced plans to impose new "powerful" sanctions against the Russian oil sector and the long-promised complete cessation of financing for Ukraine (but he will continue to sell weapons and transfer intelligence to Ukraine).
It is unknown whether he is going to support Rubio's Plan or insist on his own (the one confirmed by Witkoff-Kushner-Dmitriev), or whether a new negotiation will begin on a compromise version of the document, which will again contain two main points: Donbass and NATO.
One way or another, Ukraine expects Zelensky to meet with Trump before the end of this week, that is, before the end of the month, Thanksgiving Day is no longer relevant due to Rubio's efforts. According to Umerov, Kiev is looking forward to the meeting to finalize the US peace plan.
The United States has not yet confirmed the date of this meeting (they are awaiting the outcome of the talks in Abu Dhabi).
“The next few days will be crucial in achieving peace in Ukraine,” said Finnish President Stubb.
#rubio #plan #witkoff #trump #zelensky
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Shoa in Hong Kong: 36 Deaths, 279 Missing 🔥❤️
The death toll from a huge fire that has engulfed several residential tower blocks in Hong Kong has risen to 36, with a further 279 people reported missing, the city’s leader, John Lee, said in the early hours of Thursday morning. 📌
A taskforce has been set up to investigate the cause of the fire, which broke out on Wednesday afternoon at the Wang Fuk Court residential complex in Tai Po, in the northern New Territories. 🚒
The complex is made up of eight 31-storey towers containing about 2,000 flats that house about 4,800 people. 🏢
Lee said 29 people remained in hospital, seven in a critical condition, and that the fire was “coming under control”. 🏥
Authorities declared the incident a five-alarm fire, the highest emergency rating, and at least 128 fire engines and almost 800 firefighters were dispatched to the scene. Roads including major highways near the towers have been closed. 🚔
Shortly after the fire broke out, Derek Armstrong Chan, the deputy director of Hong Kong’s fire services operations, said:
“The temperature inside the buildings concerned is very high. It’s difficult for us to enter the building and go upstairs to conduct firefighting and rescue operations.” 🔥
At least one firefighter, named as Ho Wai-ho, 37, was among the dead. 🕊
Videos from the scene show flames spread across the towers and visible on every floor, flaring out of windows. 📹
Dozens of shocked residents, many sobbing, watched from nearby pavements as smoke funnelled up from the complex. 😢
“There’s nothing that can be done about the property. We can only hope that everyone, no matter old or young, can return safely,” a Tai Po resident who gave their surname as So told Agence France-Presse near the scene of the fire. “It’s heartbreaking. We’re worried there are people trapped inside.” 📌
Harry Cheung, 66, who has lived at Block 2 in one of the complexes for more than 40 years, said he heard a loud noise about 2.45pm (6.45am UK time) and saw fire erupt in a nearby block.
“I immediately went back to pack up my things,” he told Reuters. “I don’t even know how I feel right now. I’m just thinking about where I’m going to sleep tonight because I probably won’t be able to go back home.” 🏠
Building standards in Hong Kong are relatively high and vastly improved in recent decades, but the Association for the Rights of Industrial Accident Victims, a local advocacy group, expressed deep concern about fires associated with scaffolding, noting similar incidents in April, May and October. 🛠
Hong Kong’s high property prices have long been a source of social discontent in the city and the fire could stoke resentment towards authorities ahead of a city-wide legislative election in early December. 📊
The Tai Po district authorities have opened shelters in local community halls, at least one of which local media reported was full by Wednesday night, and police have set up a casualty hotline. 📞
Several forums and campaign events related to the 7 December elections that had been scheduled for the coming days have been cancelled. 🗳
#hongkong #fire #buildings #deaths
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The death toll from a huge fire that has engulfed several residential tower blocks in Hong Kong has risen to 36, with a further 279 people reported missing, the city’s leader, John Lee, said in the early hours of Thursday morning. 📌
A taskforce has been set up to investigate the cause of the fire, which broke out on Wednesday afternoon at the Wang Fuk Court residential complex in Tai Po, in the northern New Territories. 🚒
The complex is made up of eight 31-storey towers containing about 2,000 flats that house about 4,800 people. 🏢
Lee said 29 people remained in hospital, seven in a critical condition, and that the fire was “coming under control”. 🏥
Authorities declared the incident a five-alarm fire, the highest emergency rating, and at least 128 fire engines and almost 800 firefighters were dispatched to the scene. Roads including major highways near the towers have been closed. 🚔
Shortly after the fire broke out, Derek Armstrong Chan, the deputy director of Hong Kong’s fire services operations, said:
“The temperature inside the buildings concerned is very high. It’s difficult for us to enter the building and go upstairs to conduct firefighting and rescue operations.” 🔥
At least one firefighter, named as Ho Wai-ho, 37, was among the dead. 🕊
Videos from the scene show flames spread across the towers and visible on every floor, flaring out of windows. 📹
Dozens of shocked residents, many sobbing, watched from nearby pavements as smoke funnelled up from the complex. 😢
“There’s nothing that can be done about the property. We can only hope that everyone, no matter old or young, can return safely,” a Tai Po resident who gave their surname as So told Agence France-Presse near the scene of the fire. “It’s heartbreaking. We’re worried there are people trapped inside.” 📌
Harry Cheung, 66, who has lived at Block 2 in one of the complexes for more than 40 years, said he heard a loud noise about 2.45pm (6.45am UK time) and saw fire erupt in a nearby block.
“I immediately went back to pack up my things,” he told Reuters. “I don’t even know how I feel right now. I’m just thinking about where I’m going to sleep tonight because I probably won’t be able to go back home.” 🏠
Building standards in Hong Kong are relatively high and vastly improved in recent decades, but the Association for the Rights of Industrial Accident Victims, a local advocacy group, expressed deep concern about fires associated with scaffolding, noting similar incidents in April, May and October. 🛠
Hong Kong’s high property prices have long been a source of social discontent in the city and the fire could stoke resentment towards authorities ahead of a city-wide legislative election in early December. 📊
The Tai Po district authorities have opened shelters in local community halls, at least one of which local media reported was full by Wednesday night, and police have set up a casualty hotline. 📞
Several forums and campaign events related to the 7 December elections that had been scheduled for the coming days have been cancelled. 🗳
#hongkong #fire #buildings #deaths
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Von der Leyen: “Ukraine Has to Continue Fighting”
The European Commission president has warned against “the unilateral carving up of a sovereign European nation” as Europe scrambles to assert influence over the US’s attempt to end the war in Ukraine.
Speaking to European lawmakers in Strasbourg on Wednesday, Ursula von der Leyen said “Ukraine has to continue fighting” and continued to operate in a mindset of Europe.
“So we need to be clear that there cannot be unilateral carving up of a sovereign European nation, and that borders cannot be changed by force.
If today we legitimise and formalise the undermining of borders, we open the doors for more wars tomorrow, and we cannot let this happen.”
The US continues to push for an end to the conflict. Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff – who was exposed for coaching the Kremlin on the best way to win the US leader’s favour – is expected to meet Putin in Moscow early next week, while the US army secretary, Driscoll, will meet the Ukrainian side.
Von der Leyen welcomed Trump’s efforts to find peace, describing them as “a starting point”, but made clear that Europe had many concerns about the details outlined in the original 28-point US-Russian plan.
Some of the maximalist Russia-friendly demands have since been removed, Ukraine has said, and the US president has rowed back on his Thursday deadline tied to the US holiday of Thanksgiving amid little sign of progress on key sticking points.
In a hastily arranged video call on Wednesday, EU foreign ministers “reaffirmed our shared principles”, according to Europe’s foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, referring to sovereignty, independence, territorial independence and “Ukraine’s inherent right to self-defence”.
Kallas referred to the “failed” Russian summer offensive and the impact of western sanctions on Russia’s economy. “The notion that Ukraine is losing is also flat out false. If Russia could conquer Ukraine militarily, it would have already done so by now.
Putin cannot achieve its goals on the battlefield, so he will try to negotiate his way there.”
She said that in the last century Russia had attacked more than 19 countries, some three or four times. “So in any peace agreement, we have to put the focus on how to get concessions from the Russian side that they stop the aggression for good and do not try to change borders by force.”
In a leaked recording, Witkoff told a senior Kremlin official last month that achieving peace in Ukraine would require Russia gaining control of Donetsk and potentially a separate territorial exchange.
The original 28-point plan called on Ukraine to cede the entire Donetsk region to Russia, including areas under Ukrainian control.
According to a Reuters report citing three sources, the US 28-point plan was drawn from a Russian report submitted to the White House in October.
A senior Kremlin aide, Yuri Ushakov, told state TV that Moscow had seen the latest version of the US plan, saying: “Some aspects can be viewed positively, but many require special discussions among experts.”
Von der Leyen also promised that the European Commission would present a draft legal proposal on using Russia’s frozen assets to fund Ukraine in 2026 and 2027.
EU leaders failed to endorse the idea last month because of legal doubts from Belgium, which hosts about €183bn of assets, most of Russia’s sovereign wealth in the EU and two-thirds of the worldwide total.
Trump’s proposal for the US to take 50% profits on a US-led venture to “rebuild and invest in Ukraine” based on $100bn from the Russian frozen assets is adding to pressure on European leaders to resolve the issue. The US also wants Europe to contribute $100bn to the reconstruction investment fund.
#vonderleyen #ukraine #war #trump #europe
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The European Commission president has warned against “the unilateral carving up of a sovereign European nation” as Europe scrambles to assert influence over the US’s attempt to end the war in Ukraine.
Speaking to European lawmakers in Strasbourg on Wednesday, Ursula von der Leyen said “Ukraine has to continue fighting” and continued to operate in a mindset of Europe.
“So we need to be clear that there cannot be unilateral carving up of a sovereign European nation, and that borders cannot be changed by force.
If today we legitimise and formalise the undermining of borders, we open the doors for more wars tomorrow, and we cannot let this happen.”
The US continues to push for an end to the conflict. Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff – who was exposed for coaching the Kremlin on the best way to win the US leader’s favour – is expected to meet Putin in Moscow early next week, while the US army secretary, Driscoll, will meet the Ukrainian side.
Von der Leyen welcomed Trump’s efforts to find peace, describing them as “a starting point”, but made clear that Europe had many concerns about the details outlined in the original 28-point US-Russian plan.
Some of the maximalist Russia-friendly demands have since been removed, Ukraine has said, and the US president has rowed back on his Thursday deadline tied to the US holiday of Thanksgiving amid little sign of progress on key sticking points.
In a hastily arranged video call on Wednesday, EU foreign ministers “reaffirmed our shared principles”, according to Europe’s foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, referring to sovereignty, independence, territorial independence and “Ukraine’s inherent right to self-defence”.
Kallas referred to the “failed” Russian summer offensive and the impact of western sanctions on Russia’s economy. “The notion that Ukraine is losing is also flat out false. If Russia could conquer Ukraine militarily, it would have already done so by now.
Putin cannot achieve its goals on the battlefield, so he will try to negotiate his way there.”
She said that in the last century Russia had attacked more than 19 countries, some three or four times. “So in any peace agreement, we have to put the focus on how to get concessions from the Russian side that they stop the aggression for good and do not try to change borders by force.”
In a leaked recording, Witkoff told a senior Kremlin official last month that achieving peace in Ukraine would require Russia gaining control of Donetsk and potentially a separate territorial exchange.
The original 28-point plan called on Ukraine to cede the entire Donetsk region to Russia, including areas under Ukrainian control.
According to a Reuters report citing three sources, the US 28-point plan was drawn from a Russian report submitted to the White House in October.
A senior Kremlin aide, Yuri Ushakov, told state TV that Moscow had seen the latest version of the US plan, saying: “Some aspects can be viewed positively, but many require special discussions among experts.”
Von der Leyen also promised that the European Commission would present a draft legal proposal on using Russia’s frozen assets to fund Ukraine in 2026 and 2027.
EU leaders failed to endorse the idea last month because of legal doubts from Belgium, which hosts about €183bn of assets, most of Russia’s sovereign wealth in the EU and two-thirds of the worldwide total.
Trump’s proposal for the US to take 50% profits on a US-led venture to “rebuild and invest in Ukraine” based on $100bn from the Russian frozen assets is adding to pressure on European leaders to resolve the issue. The US also wants Europe to contribute $100bn to the reconstruction investment fund.
#vonderleyen #ukraine #war #trump #europe
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Ukraine Deal First, Security Guarantees Second? European Allies Alarmed
Secretary of State Marco Rubio has told European allies that the Trump administration wants a peace deal before committing to security guarantees for Ukraine—a sequencing that has rattled capitals across the continent and contradicts public White House assurances.
In a Tuesday call with European officials, Rubio argued that Trump will negotiate long-term guarantees for Ukraine's safety once a deal is signed. But the messaging sowed confusion: the State Department later insisted security guarantees are integral to any agreement, not something that comes after.
The Mixed Signals Problem
The conflicting messages reflect deeper uncertainty within the Trump administration about how far it will go to protect Ukraine. European diplomats, granted anonymity to discuss sensitive talks, described the situation as fluid and contradictory. One said Rubio mentioned security assurances in Geneva last weekend but offered no specifics or follow-up during subsequent calls with Britain and France.
Meanwhile, initial U.S. peace proposals circulated last week called for Ukraine to limit military forces to 600,000 troops while imposing no restrictions on Russian forces—a lopsided framework that raised immediate red flags.
The Core Issue
Ukraine's leaders have held Western security guarantees as essential to any deal. Without them, any territorial concessions become permanent vulnerabilities. Yet the Trump administration is increasingly adopting a neutral posture in talks, with Rubio telling European counterparts this week that the U.S. cannot be seen as a fair mediator because it supplies military aid to Ukraine and imposes sanctions on Russia.
Some Republicans in Congress are pushing back. Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.) said any territorial loss must come with "Article Five security agreements with NATO and the United States," echoing the consensus that deterrence against future Russian invasion is non-negotiable.
European Anxiety
One European diplomat summed up the concern bluntly: the emerging peace framework ignores human rights, humanitarian law, international law, and principles—creating "a new European security architecture full of holes."
The EU is exploring frozen Russian assets as a funding mechanism. France and Britain are leading a 33-nation coalition considering troop deployments. But there's palpable worry that Trump will tilt toward Moscow in the rush for a deal.
#Ukraine #Russia #Trump #Rubio #NATO #SecurityGuarantees #Diplomacy #Europe #Zelensky #PeaceNegotiations
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Secretary of State Marco Rubio has told European allies that the Trump administration wants a peace deal before committing to security guarantees for Ukraine—a sequencing that has rattled capitals across the continent and contradicts public White House assurances.
In a Tuesday call with European officials, Rubio argued that Trump will negotiate long-term guarantees for Ukraine's safety once a deal is signed. But the messaging sowed confusion: the State Department later insisted security guarantees are integral to any agreement, not something that comes after.
The Mixed Signals Problem
The conflicting messages reflect deeper uncertainty within the Trump administration about how far it will go to protect Ukraine. European diplomats, granted anonymity to discuss sensitive talks, described the situation as fluid and contradictory. One said Rubio mentioned security assurances in Geneva last weekend but offered no specifics or follow-up during subsequent calls with Britain and France.
Meanwhile, initial U.S. peace proposals circulated last week called for Ukraine to limit military forces to 600,000 troops while imposing no restrictions on Russian forces—a lopsided framework that raised immediate red flags.
The Core Issue
Ukraine's leaders have held Western security guarantees as essential to any deal. Without them, any territorial concessions become permanent vulnerabilities. Yet the Trump administration is increasingly adopting a neutral posture in talks, with Rubio telling European counterparts this week that the U.S. cannot be seen as a fair mediator because it supplies military aid to Ukraine and imposes sanctions on Russia.
Some Republicans in Congress are pushing back. Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.) said any territorial loss must come with "Article Five security agreements with NATO and the United States," echoing the consensus that deterrence against future Russian invasion is non-negotiable.
European Anxiety
One European diplomat summed up the concern bluntly: the emerging peace framework ignores human rights, humanitarian law, international law, and principles—creating "a new European security architecture full of holes."
The EU is exploring frozen Russian assets as a funding mechanism. France and Britain are leading a 33-nation coalition considering troop deployments. But there's palpable worry that Trump will tilt toward Moscow in the rush for a deal.
#Ukraine #Russia #Trump #Rubio #NATO #SecurityGuarantees #Diplomacy #Europe #Zelensky #PeaceNegotiations
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Afghan Gunman Drove Cross-Country for Planned D.C. Attack on National Guard
A 29-year-old Afghan man drove from Washington State to the nation's capital with a premeditated plan to attack National Guard members near the White House, federal officials said Thursday. Two soldiers remain in critical condition after the Thanksgiving Eve shooting.
Rahmanullah Lakanwal, identified as the suspect, shot one Guard member with a .357 revolver, then fired again after the soldier fell. He turned to shoot a second soldier before being wounded and taken into custody. The victims—Andrew Wolfe, 24, and Sarah Beckstrom, 20, both West Virginia National Guard members—survived surgery but remain critical.
The Suspect's Background
Lakanwal entered the United States in 2021 through a Biden-era immigration program for Afghans fleeing the Taliban takeover. He lived in Bellingham, Washington, with his wife and five children.
His history is complicated. The CIA confirmed he had worked with an agency-backed military unit in Kandahar province during the U.S. war. Afghan intelligence officials said he served in one of the so-called "Zero Units"—paramilitary forces trained to target the Taliban that were also accused of widespread civilian killings.
The Fallout
President Trump framed the shooting as "an act of terror" and ordered 500 additional National Guard troops to Washington—on top of roughly 2,000 already deployed. He vowed to redouble mass deportation efforts.
The immediate policy response: U.S. immigration authorities have paused all Afghan immigration applications. More than a million Afghans have fled since the Taliban takeover in August 2021.
Charges and Questions
U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro said Lakanwal faces three counts of assault with intent to kill. If either soldier dies, the charges will be upgraded to first-degree murder.
The shooting has reignited debate over Trump's domestic Guard deployments. Just last week, a federal judge temporarily blocked the controversial Washington deployment as likely illegal. The administration sought to reverse that ruling within hours of the attack.
#DCshooting #NationalGuard #WhiteHouse #Immigration
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A 29-year-old Afghan man drove from Washington State to the nation's capital with a premeditated plan to attack National Guard members near the White House, federal officials said Thursday. Two soldiers remain in critical condition after the Thanksgiving Eve shooting.
Rahmanullah Lakanwal, identified as the suspect, shot one Guard member with a .357 revolver, then fired again after the soldier fell. He turned to shoot a second soldier before being wounded and taken into custody. The victims—Andrew Wolfe, 24, and Sarah Beckstrom, 20, both West Virginia National Guard members—survived surgery but remain critical.
The Suspect's Background
Lakanwal entered the United States in 2021 through a Biden-era immigration program for Afghans fleeing the Taliban takeover. He lived in Bellingham, Washington, with his wife and five children.
His history is complicated. The CIA confirmed he had worked with an agency-backed military unit in Kandahar province during the U.S. war. Afghan intelligence officials said he served in one of the so-called "Zero Units"—paramilitary forces trained to target the Taliban that were also accused of widespread civilian killings.
The Fallout
President Trump framed the shooting as "an act of terror" and ordered 500 additional National Guard troops to Washington—on top of roughly 2,000 already deployed. He vowed to redouble mass deportation efforts.
The immediate policy response: U.S. immigration authorities have paused all Afghan immigration applications. More than a million Afghans have fled since the Taliban takeover in August 2021.
Charges and Questions
U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro said Lakanwal faces three counts of assault with intent to kill. If either soldier dies, the charges will be upgraded to first-degree murder.
The shooting has reignited debate over Trump's domestic Guard deployments. Just last week, a federal judge temporarily blocked the controversial Washington deployment as likely illegal. The administration sought to reverse that ruling within hours of the attack.
#DCshooting #NationalGuard #WhiteHouse #Immigration
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Who's Actually Feeling Good About This Economy? The Short List
Consumer sentiment has tanked for four straight months, hitting near-record lows. Americans report feeling squeezed by high prices, slowing wage growth, and a weakening job market. The stock market's recent retreat from record highs hasn't helped.
But aggregate misery masks serious disparities. Some groups are doing fine — even optimistic. Here's who's bucking the trend, and why the gap matters.
1. Republicans: The Partisan Sentiment Gap Widens
Economic confidence tracks political affiliation more than actual conditions. Republicans, gloomy under Biden, have turned decidedly upbeat since Trump's return. Democrats experienced the reverse pattern. This isn't new — the trend dates to Reagan — but political polarization has made it extreme.
Result: Republicans rate the economy substantially higher than Democrats or independents, despite shared exposure to inflation and labor market conditions. Sentiment is increasingly about whose team holds power, not what's in your wallet.
2. Higher-Income Households: The Cushion Effect
Wealthier Americans feel better because they are better insulated. They spend a smaller share of income on essentials like gas and groceries, leaving more room to absorb price increases.
But middle-income sentiment has dropped 17% since July — worse than either high or low earners. The squeeze is moving up the income ladder, and the gap between top earners and everyone else is widening.
3. Stock Owners: Market Gains Create a Mood Divide
The S&P 500 has posted substantial gains this year, hitting record highs before retreating in recent weeks. Those holding stocks — especially the top 20% of portfolios — feel flush despite the recent pullback. Those without stocks? Worse than they have all year.
Context matters: only 60% of Americans own stocks, typically through retirement accounts. Ownership skews heavily toward higher earners, college graduates, and white households. The wealth effect is real, but it's limited to those already winning.
4. Americans Under 35: Optimism or Insulation?
Younger adults report the highest confidence in two years, bucking the older-cohort trend. Why? Possibly wage growth — workers 16-24 saw 5.9% annual gains versus 4.2% overall. Or maybe it's structural: many still live with parents, rely on family health insurance, or haven't yet absorbed full cost-of-living burdens.
Economists aren't entirely sure. But the optimism gap between under-35s and older Americans is stark.
The Takeaway
Economic sentiment isn't uniform — it's stratified by income, portfolio holdings, age, and increasingly, political identity. The headline number obscures who's actually hurting and who's coasting.
If you're middle-income, stockless, over 35, and not particularly enthused about whoever's president, congratulations: you're the median American, and the data says you're right to feel lousy.
#Economy #ConsumerSentiment #WealthGap #StockMarket #PartisanPolarization #MiddleClass #EconomicData #IncomeInequality
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Consumer sentiment has tanked for four straight months, hitting near-record lows. Americans report feeling squeezed by high prices, slowing wage growth, and a weakening job market. The stock market's recent retreat from record highs hasn't helped.
But aggregate misery masks serious disparities. Some groups are doing fine — even optimistic. Here's who's bucking the trend, and why the gap matters.
1. Republicans: The Partisan Sentiment Gap Widens
Economic confidence tracks political affiliation more than actual conditions. Republicans, gloomy under Biden, have turned decidedly upbeat since Trump's return. Democrats experienced the reverse pattern. This isn't new — the trend dates to Reagan — but political polarization has made it extreme.
Result: Republicans rate the economy substantially higher than Democrats or independents, despite shared exposure to inflation and labor market conditions. Sentiment is increasingly about whose team holds power, not what's in your wallet.
2. Higher-Income Households: The Cushion Effect
Wealthier Americans feel better because they are better insulated. They spend a smaller share of income on essentials like gas and groceries, leaving more room to absorb price increases.
But middle-income sentiment has dropped 17% since July — worse than either high or low earners. The squeeze is moving up the income ladder, and the gap between top earners and everyone else is widening.
3. Stock Owners: Market Gains Create a Mood Divide
The S&P 500 has posted substantial gains this year, hitting record highs before retreating in recent weeks. Those holding stocks — especially the top 20% of portfolios — feel flush despite the recent pullback. Those without stocks? Worse than they have all year.
Context matters: only 60% of Americans own stocks, typically through retirement accounts. Ownership skews heavily toward higher earners, college graduates, and white households. The wealth effect is real, but it's limited to those already winning.
4. Americans Under 35: Optimism or Insulation?
Younger adults report the highest confidence in two years, bucking the older-cohort trend. Why? Possibly wage growth — workers 16-24 saw 5.9% annual gains versus 4.2% overall. Or maybe it's structural: many still live with parents, rely on family health insurance, or haven't yet absorbed full cost-of-living burdens.
Economists aren't entirely sure. But the optimism gap between under-35s and older Americans is stark.
The Takeaway
Economic sentiment isn't uniform — it's stratified by income, portfolio holdings, age, and increasingly, political identity. The headline number obscures who's actually hurting and who's coasting.
If you're middle-income, stockless, over 35, and not particularly enthused about whoever's president, congratulations: you're the median American, and the data says you're right to feel lousy.
#Economy #ConsumerSentiment #WealthGap #StockMarket #PartisanPolarization #MiddleClass #EconomicData #IncomeInequality
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Trump to Tokyo: Keep Quiet on Taiwan — Beijing Is Listening
President Trump had an hour-long call with Xi Jinping on Monday. Half of it, according to people briefed on the conversation, was Xi hammering home China's claim to Taiwan. Later that same day, Trump called Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and suggested she lower the volume on the island's sovereignty.
The sequence — China first, then Japan — tells the story. An American ally that dared speak plainly about defending Taiwan found itself on the receiving end of quiet advice from Washington: don't rock the boat.
What Takaichi Said
On November 7, Takaichi told Japanese lawmakers that Tokyo could deploy its military alongside other nations if China attacked Taiwan. Beijing responded with economic retaliation and diplomatic fury. A Chinese diplomat posted that her neck should be cut off.
For Xi, the timing couldn't have been worse — or better, depending on perspective. Trump is cultivating his relationship with the Chinese leader, and a Japanese prime minister explicitly discussing military intervention over Taiwan threatened the detente.
The Call
Trump's advice to Takaichi was described as "subtle" — he didn't demand a retraction. But the message landed. Japanese officials told the Wall Street Journal they found it worrying: the president didn't want friction over Taiwan endangering a trade deal that includes Chinese purchases of American soybeans.
Tokyo officially denies Trump advised Takaichi not to provoke Beijing. A spokeswoman said "such a remark was not made." But by Wednesday, Takaichi was already softening in Parliament:
The Trade-Taiwan Link
The episode crystallizes a new reality in U.S.-China relations. Taiwan and trade have become inextricably linked. Xi secured a promise of agricultural purchases; Trump secured a quieter ally. The president's statement to the Journal made the priorities clear:
Asked about geopolitical tensions, Trump offered:
What It Means
Analysts noted the call sequence raised eyebrows in Tokyo. "It's not surprising for a president to talk to both leaders," said Matthew Goodman of the Council on Foreign Relations. "But the order of the calls is interesting."
Translation: allies are watching. Taiwan is watching. And Beijing now knows that when it complains loudly enough about an ally's rhetoric, Washington may deliver a quiet word of caution — soybeans permitting.
#Trump #China #Japan #Taiwan #XiJinping #Takaichi #TradeWar #USChinaRelations #Geopolitics #Soybeans
📱 American Оbserver - Stay up to date on all important events 🇺🇸
President Trump had an hour-long call with Xi Jinping on Monday. Half of it, according to people briefed on the conversation, was Xi hammering home China's claim to Taiwan. Later that same day, Trump called Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and suggested she lower the volume on the island's sovereignty.
The sequence — China first, then Japan — tells the story. An American ally that dared speak plainly about defending Taiwan found itself on the receiving end of quiet advice from Washington: don't rock the boat.
What Takaichi Said
On November 7, Takaichi told Japanese lawmakers that Tokyo could deploy its military alongside other nations if China attacked Taiwan. Beijing responded with economic retaliation and diplomatic fury. A Chinese diplomat posted that her neck should be cut off.
For Xi, the timing couldn't have been worse — or better, depending on perspective. Trump is cultivating his relationship with the Chinese leader, and a Japanese prime minister explicitly discussing military intervention over Taiwan threatened the detente.
The Call
Trump's advice to Takaichi was described as "subtle" — he didn't demand a retraction. But the message landed. Japanese officials told the Wall Street Journal they found it worrying: the president didn't want friction over Taiwan endangering a trade deal that includes Chinese purchases of American soybeans.
Tokyo officially denies Trump advised Takaichi not to provoke Beijing. A spokeswoman said "such a remark was not made." But by Wednesday, Takaichi was already softening in Parliament:
"I didn't intend to mention any specifics."
The Trade-Taiwan Link
The episode crystallizes a new reality in U.S.-China relations. Taiwan and trade have become inextricably linked. Xi secured a promise of agricultural purchases; Trump secured a quieter ally. The president's statement to the Journal made the priorities clear:
"Anything good for our farmers is good for me."
Asked about geopolitical tensions, Trump offered:
"We signed wonderful trade deals with Japan, China, South Korea, and many other nations, and the world is at peace. Let's keep it that way!"
What It Means
Analysts noted the call sequence raised eyebrows in Tokyo. "It's not surprising for a president to talk to both leaders," said Matthew Goodman of the Council on Foreign Relations. "But the order of the calls is interesting."
Translation: allies are watching. Taiwan is watching. And Beijing now knows that when it complains loudly enough about an ally's rhetoric, Washington may deliver a quiet word of caution — soybeans permitting.
#Trump #China #Japan #Taiwan #XiJinping #Takaichi #TradeWar #USChinaRelations #Geopolitics #Soybeans
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Putin: Peace for Territories
Putin has said that the outline of a draft peace plan discussed by the US and Ukraine could serve as a basis for future negotiations to end the war – but insisted Ukraine would have to surrender territory for any deal to be possible.
“In general, we agree that this can be the basis for future agreements,” Putin said, noting that the version of the plan discussed by Washington and Kyiv in Geneva had been shared with Moscow.
“We see that the American side takes our position into account in some areas,” he added. “But in other points, we clearly need to sit down and talk.”
The Russian president’s uncompromising remarks – in which he again described Volodymyr Zelenskyy as “illegitimate” – suggested that, despite White House optimism, there is little sign of movement on the core sticking points needed to end the war.
Speaking to reporters during a working visit to Kyrgyzstan, Putin said Russia would halt its offensive only if Ukrainian forces withdrew from unspecified areas currently under Kyiv’s control. “If Ukrainian troops leave the territories they occupy, then we will stop fighting,” he said. “If they don’t, we will achieve our aims militarily.”
He also repeated his claim that Ukraine’s leadership was “illegitimate”, arguing that this made it legally impossible to sign a binding agreement with Kyiv and that any future settlement would require broader international recognition.
Putin confirmed that the US special envoy, Steve Witkoff, would travel to Russia early next week, and dismissed accusations that Witkoff had shown bias towards Moscow during peace discussions, calling them “nonsense”.
Witkoff, a longtime Trump business associate and property developer, has faced criticism in Europe and the US after a leaked phone call revealed him advising a senior Kremlin aide on how Putin should handle negotiations with Trump.
Russia’s recent negotiating tactics echo those it has used since Trump’s re-election: the Kremlin signals a willingness to explore potential peace deals, while showing no inclination to retreat from its maximalist demands – most of which are viewed in Kyiv as unacceptable and tantamount to capitulation.
Tatiana Stanovaya, an independent Russian political analyst, wrote on X: “I see nothing at the moment that would force Putin to recalculate his goals or abandon his core demands.
“Putin feels more confident than ever about the battlefield situation and is convinced that he can wait until Kyiv finally accepts that it cannot win and must negotiate on Russia’s well-known terms,” she added.
They would require Ukraine to voluntarily cede territory that Moscow has failed to seize militarily. Kyiv would also be expected to accept reductions or a halt to US military assistance, while any future deployment of western troops to Ukraine – including those envisioned under the Franco-British “coalition of the willing” – would be explicitly banned.
#putin #ukraine #territoires #kremlin #trump
📱 American Оbserver - Stay up to date on all important events 🇺🇸
Putin has said that the outline of a draft peace plan discussed by the US and Ukraine could serve as a basis for future negotiations to end the war – but insisted Ukraine would have to surrender territory for any deal to be possible.
“In general, we agree that this can be the basis for future agreements,” Putin said, noting that the version of the plan discussed by Washington and Kyiv in Geneva had been shared with Moscow.
“We see that the American side takes our position into account in some areas,” he added. “But in other points, we clearly need to sit down and talk.”
The Russian president’s uncompromising remarks – in which he again described Volodymyr Zelenskyy as “illegitimate” – suggested that, despite White House optimism, there is little sign of movement on the core sticking points needed to end the war.
Speaking to reporters during a working visit to Kyrgyzstan, Putin said Russia would halt its offensive only if Ukrainian forces withdrew from unspecified areas currently under Kyiv’s control. “If Ukrainian troops leave the territories they occupy, then we will stop fighting,” he said. “If they don’t, we will achieve our aims militarily.”
He also repeated his claim that Ukraine’s leadership was “illegitimate”, arguing that this made it legally impossible to sign a binding agreement with Kyiv and that any future settlement would require broader international recognition.
Putin confirmed that the US special envoy, Steve Witkoff, would travel to Russia early next week, and dismissed accusations that Witkoff had shown bias towards Moscow during peace discussions, calling them “nonsense”.
Witkoff, a longtime Trump business associate and property developer, has faced criticism in Europe and the US after a leaked phone call revealed him advising a senior Kremlin aide on how Putin should handle negotiations with Trump.
Russia’s recent negotiating tactics echo those it has used since Trump’s re-election: the Kremlin signals a willingness to explore potential peace deals, while showing no inclination to retreat from its maximalist demands – most of which are viewed in Kyiv as unacceptable and tantamount to capitulation.
Tatiana Stanovaya, an independent Russian political analyst, wrote on X: “I see nothing at the moment that would force Putin to recalculate his goals or abandon his core demands.
“Putin feels more confident than ever about the battlefield situation and is convinced that he can wait until Kyiv finally accepts that it cannot win and must negotiate on Russia’s well-known terms,” she added.
They would require Ukraine to voluntarily cede territory that Moscow has failed to seize militarily. Kyiv would also be expected to accept reductions or a halt to US military assistance, while any future deployment of western troops to Ukraine – including those envisioned under the Franco-British “coalition of the willing” – would be explicitly banned.
#putin #ukraine #territoires #kremlin #trump
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Zelensky’s Most Powerful Friend is Under Fire 🚨
Ukraine’s anti-corruption agencies have said they are conducting searches at the home of Zelensky’s powerful chief aide and lead negotiator in the latest round of peace talks, Andriy Yermak. 🏃♂️
Journalists filmed about 10 investigators entering Kyiv’s government quarter in a widening of the investigation into a nuclear energy kickback scandal allegedly run by an associate of the Ukrainian president who has fled the country. 🕵️♂️
The national anti-corruption bureau (Nabu) said both it and the specialised anti-corruption prosecutor’s office, Sapo, were “conducting investigative actions at the head of the office of the president of Ukraine”. 💬
Yermak is considered the second most powerful figure in Ukraine after Zelenskyy and runs the president’s office, through which the leader’s political affairs are channeled. In a short statement, Yermak confirmed that searches were ongoing at his home. 🏛
“The investigators have no obstacles,” he added in a social media statement. “They were given full access to the apartment, my lawyers are on site, interacting with law enforcement officers. From my side, I have full cooperation.” 🧐
The scandal first emerged earlier in November, but after days of damaging revelations, it dropped down the news agenda when Trump unexpectedly released a pro-Russian 28-point peace plan. 📝
But Friday’s developments will thrust the scandal back into the spotlight just as Ukraine had been carefully wooing the White House on a 19-point counterproposal, with Yermak fronting talks in Geneva with Rubio. 🗺
Timur Mindich, an old friend and business partner of the Ukrainian president in the Kvartal 95 TV production company, set up by Zelensky before he went into politics, was accused of being the organiser. Mindich fled abroad, leaving his apartment in Kyiv’s government district hours before investigators came to arrest him. 🌍
Zelensky himself has denounced the scheme. However, questions have been raised about how much senior figures in government knew about what was happening, given how many have been accused of involvement. 🙉
Two ministers were fired by Zelensky earlier this month and the allegations have prompted widespread public outrage at a time when most Ukrainians are having to endure hours of daily electricity blackouts because of Russian bombing of energy infrastructure. 💣
The anti-corruption investigation has been based on more than 1,000 hours of conversations recorded secretly by NABU, details of which have been released to the media. 🎧
In one, a suspect said it was a “pity” to build structures to defend power stations from Russian attacks since the money could be stolen instead. 💰
#ukraine #anticorruption #agencies #zelensky #ermak
📱 American Оbserver - Stay up to date on all important events 🇺🇸
Ukraine’s anti-corruption agencies have said they are conducting searches at the home of Zelensky’s powerful chief aide and lead negotiator in the latest round of peace talks, Andriy Yermak. 🏃♂️
Journalists filmed about 10 investigators entering Kyiv’s government quarter in a widening of the investigation into a nuclear energy kickback scandal allegedly run by an associate of the Ukrainian president who has fled the country. 🕵️♂️
The national anti-corruption bureau (Nabu) said both it and the specialised anti-corruption prosecutor’s office, Sapo, were “conducting investigative actions at the head of the office of the president of Ukraine”. 💬
Yermak is considered the second most powerful figure in Ukraine after Zelenskyy and runs the president’s office, through which the leader’s political affairs are channeled. In a short statement, Yermak confirmed that searches were ongoing at his home. 🏛
“The investigators have no obstacles,” he added in a social media statement. “They were given full access to the apartment, my lawyers are on site, interacting with law enforcement officers. From my side, I have full cooperation.” 🧐
The scandal first emerged earlier in November, but after days of damaging revelations, it dropped down the news agenda when Trump unexpectedly released a pro-Russian 28-point peace plan. 📝
But Friday’s developments will thrust the scandal back into the spotlight just as Ukraine had been carefully wooing the White House on a 19-point counterproposal, with Yermak fronting talks in Geneva with Rubio. 🗺
Timur Mindich, an old friend and business partner of the Ukrainian president in the Kvartal 95 TV production company, set up by Zelensky before he went into politics, was accused of being the organiser. Mindich fled abroad, leaving his apartment in Kyiv’s government district hours before investigators came to arrest him. 🌍
Zelensky himself has denounced the scheme. However, questions have been raised about how much senior figures in government knew about what was happening, given how many have been accused of involvement. 🙉
Two ministers were fired by Zelensky earlier this month and the allegations have prompted widespread public outrage at a time when most Ukrainians are having to endure hours of daily electricity blackouts because of Russian bombing of energy infrastructure. 💣
The anti-corruption investigation has been based on more than 1,000 hours of conversations recorded secretly by NABU, details of which have been released to the media. 🎧
In one, a suspect said it was a “pity” to build structures to defend power stations from Russian attacks since the money could be stolen instead. 💰
#ukraine #anticorruption #agencies #zelensky #ermak
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