After launching another large overnight missile barrage on Ukraine’s power system, Russian President Vladimir Putin threatened to strike “decision-making centers” in Kyiv with new ballistic missiles. The warning is part of Moscow’s response to Ukraine’s use of longer-range weaponry from the US and UK to hit targets inside Russia. The recent escalations of the war — in particular Russia’s new reliance on troops from North Korea — has sparked fears that the conflict could widen even further. As Europe debates its next steps, its newest concern is that President-elect Donald Trump will slash US support to Ukraine, and whether Europe can make up for it. One early sign is Trump’s decision to name Keith Kellogg, a former general and longtime aide, as a special envoy to both Ukraine and Russia. Kellogg supports Trump’s aim of ending the war swiftly, perhaps by cutting off military aid to Kyiv.
The US-brokered cease-fire between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon is holding, prompting many Lebanese to rush back home to cities in the south despite Israeli cautions to wait for an all-clear sign. The deal suspends more than a year of hostilities, including a ground offensive in which about 3,700 people were killed in Lebanon and 1.2 million — more than a fifth of the population — displaced. About 50 Israeli soldiers have been killed. Despite the relief in Lebanon over the break in fighting, many are concerned about what’s next for their country.