1. Witkoff is in Moscow meeting with Vladimir Putin. It is too soon to get a solid readout of the meeting.
2. On the battlefield, Russia has confirmed the fall of Pokrovsk, Vovchansk and Doproprilla and is advancing in virtually all areas very quickly, surrounding Ukrainian military units. On November 30 Putin met with his generals in Rostov, near the border with Ukraine, to be updated on Russian military operations. Putin was in uniform, as he was at the previous meeting two weeks ago.
3. Ukraine is threatening its troops who try to surrender with execution. There are reports that Ukrainian drones are bombing Ukrainian soldiers trying to surrender. Overall, the military situation for Ukraine is dire and it is hard to see how they can hold together for much longer.
4. The Trump administration has suspended delivery of all US military aid to Ukraine, blocking billions in crucial shipments, as the White House piles pressure on Kyiv to sue for peace with Vladimir Putin.
The decision affects deliveries of ammunition, vehicles and other equipment, including shipments agreed to when Joe Biden was president.
It comes after a dramatic blow-up in the White House on Friday during which Donald Trump, infuriated over what he claimed was the Ukrainian leader’s disrespect and ingratitude, told Volodymyr Zelenskyy he was “gambling with” a third world war. Zelenskyy was told to come back “when he is ready for peace”.
5. Zelensky is in Paris meeting with Macron, seeking both security guarantees for Ukraine and for himself. He will next reportedly travel to Ireland where he will meet with Steve Witkoff on Witkoff’s return journey from Moscow.
6. Zaluzhny is now reported to be in Ukraine. Is he expected to replace Zelensky, run for election, or both? Recall he has been in semi-exile in the UK where is serves as Ukraine’s ambassador.
7. In Europe there is significant confusion, with some NATO generals calling for war with Russia. The head of NATO’s Security Committee, Giuseppe Cavo Dragone, says NATO is considering preemptive strikes on Russia. This is absurd nonsense but captures the level of desperation in European capitals. In the US some retired generals are saying US troops should be sent to Ukraine.
8. The German Foreign Minister says that Ukraine will have to make “painful concessions” to achieve peace. This is a significant shift in German policy.
Source: author’s blog
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