Overview
- U.S. national security agencies found no evidence Ukraine targeted President Vladimir Putin's Novgorod residence, according to the Wall Street Journal.
- The assessment indicates Ukraine was aiming at a separate military objective in the region, and President Volodymyr Zelensky called Russia's allegation a complete fabrication.
- CIA Director John Ratcliffe briefed President Donald Trump on the analysis, after which Trump shared an editorial casting doubt on Moscow's account.
- Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi held a roughly 20-minute call with President Trump on Jan. 2, and they agreed to coordinate a spring visit to Washington.
- The two leaders affirmed close cooperation on Indo-Pacific security as China continued a hard line toward Japan over Taiwan-related comments.