Overview
- U.S. media report the CIA judged Russia’s claim of a Ukrainian drone strike on Putin’s Novgorod residence to be false and briefed President Trump, while the Wall Street Journal says Ukrainian forces targeted a nearby military site.
- Russia continues to assert the residence was targeted, but President Volodymyr Zelensky has called the allegation a complete fabrication.
- Zelensky appointed military intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov to lead his presidential administration, signaling a high-level shift in Kyiv.
- U.S.-brokered efforts lack clear breakthroughs, with the status of Donetsk still unresolved in Ukraine talks and Gaza’s second phase uncertain as Hamas rejects disarmament and Israel warns of renewed operations.
- Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and President Trump held a call agreeing to plan a spring U.S. visit and to coordinate on regional issues as China maintains a hard line toward Tokyo.