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Category: News
December 16, 2025
Health
News

Troops Discharged Over Biden’s Vaccine Mandate to Receive Honorable Status.

PULSE POINTS

âť“WHAT HAPPENED: Secretary of War Pete Hegseth has ordered the Pentagon to identify and upgrade records of service members discharged for refusing the COVID-19 vaccine.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Secretary Pete Hegseth, Pentagon officials, and approximately 8,700 service members discharged under the Biden government’s vaccine mandate.

đź“ŤWHEN & WHERE: December memorandum, with a one-year timeline for review completion.

đź’¬KEY QUOTE: “The Department is committed to ensuring that everyone who should have received a fully honorable discharge receives one…” – Sean Parnell

🎯IMPACT: Potential restoration of honor and benefits for thousands of military members discharged under the vaccine mandate.

IN FULL

The Trump administration is directing the Pentagon to proactively review and upgrade the records of service members discharged from the U.S. military for refusing the COVID-19 vaccine under the former Biden government. Administration officials say the effort aims to restore honor to individuals who received “general discharge” as a result of the mandate.

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, in a December memorandum, emphasized the progress made since the initial directive to reinstate veterans who were involuntarily discharged or voluntarily left military service due to the “unfair, overbroad, and unnecessary” COVID-19 vaccine mandate. The new directive expands these efforts by ordering a review of personnel records to identify those discharged solely for vaccine refusal and facilitate appropriate upgrades.

Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell explained the impetus for the new directive, “Under the previous administration, the Department involuntarily separated approximately 8,700 Service members for failing to comply with the Department’s since-rescinded COVID-19 vaccination mandate. Of those, more than 3,000 received less-than-honorable discharge characterizations.” Parnell added that military departments have been instructed to complete their reviews within one calendar year, with no action required from former service members.

Military service members impacted by the former Biden government vaccine mandate may also access the military board review website to address any perceived errors or injustices in their records. “The Department is committed to ensuring that everyone who should have received a fully honorable discharge receives one and continues to right wrongs and restore confidence in, and honor to our fighting force,” Parnell noted.

Additionally, an Executive Order signed by President Donald J. Trump in November reinstated GI benefits for veterans discharged due to the vaccine mandate.

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December 16, 2025
News
Politics

Rubio Pledges to Support Vance If He Runs in 2028.

PULSE POINTS

âť“WHAT HAPPENED: Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated he would not run for President in 2028 if Vice President J.D. Vance seeks the Republican nomination.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Marco Rubio, J.D. Vance, and President Donald J. Trump.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Rubio’s comments were published on Tuesday in an interview with Vanity Fair.

💬KEY QUOTE: “If J.D. Vance runs for president, he’s going to be our nominee, and I’ll be one of the first people to support him.” – Marco Rubio

🎯IMPACT: Rubio’s remarks signal strong GOP unity behind Vice President Vance as a potential 2028 presidential candidate.

IN FULL

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said he would not seek the Republican presidential nomination in 2028 if Vice President J.D. Vance decides to run, signaling early deference to the VP in what is expected to be a competitive post-Trump field. “If J.D. Vance runs for president, he’s going to be our nominee, and I’ll be one of the first people to support him,” Rubio said in an interview published Tuesday.

Rubio, 54, and Vance, 41, are widely viewed as leading Republican contenders following President Donald J. Trump’s second term. Trump, now 79, has previously suggested that the two could form a powerful ticket, saying, “We have J.D., obviously—the Vice President is great. Marco’s great. I’m not sure if anybody would run against those two. I think if they formed a group, it would be unstoppable.”

Trump has also publicly mused about the idea of running for a third term, although this is likely prohibited by the 22nd Amendment. Some have suggested the America First leader could potentially circumvent this by running for the vice presidency and then having the lead candidate step aside post-inauguration, but he appears to have ruled this out as “too cute,” adding, “It wouldn’t be right.”

Vance has not formally announced plans for 2028, but has indicated he will discuss the possibility with Trump after the 2026 midterm elections.

On the Democratic side, several prominent figures are also being discussed as possible 2028 candidates. Democratic insiders say former Vice President and failed 2024 candidate Kamala Harris is preparing for a potential run. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) has acknowledged she is considering a future presidential bid. California Gov. Gavin Newsom, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, and former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg are also viewed as possible contenders.

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December 16, 2025
Immigration
Lawfare

California Sues Trump Admin Over Withheld Funds Linked to Truckers Who Don’t Speak English.

PULSE POINTS

âť“WHAT HAPPENED: California filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration for withholding $33 million in federal funds over truck driver English-proficiency requirements.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: The state of California, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, and the Department of Transportation (DOT).

đź“ŤWHEN & WHERE: The lawsuit was filed on December 12, 2025, following federal actions announced earlier in the year.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Their negligence endangered every family on America’s roadways, and it ends today.” – Sean Duffy.

🎯IMPACT: The case highlights tensions over federal safety regulations amid recent fatal accidents involving illegal immigrant commercial drivers, and could impact state funding and compliance across the trucking industry.

IN FULL

The State of California has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration after the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) withheld $33 million in federal funds. The funding was tied to commercial vehicle safety programs and the state’s decision not to comply with federal English-proficiency requirements for truck drivers.

In May, the DOT reinstated the English language rule for commercial drivers, which California claims it maintains compliance with. The state, in its court filing, describes the federal decision to withhold funding as “arbitrary and capricious,” contending the loss of monetary support could harm public safety and the California economy.

However, U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy defended the move to withhold funds, stating that over 9,500 truck drivers were removed from service since May for failing English-proficiency checks. “America First means safety first,” Duffy said earlier this year. He emphasized that ensuring truck drivers can understand traffic signs is a matter of public safety.

Pennsylvania and New York have also been warned by the DOT about the potential for federal funding loss if they fail to address issues with commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs). The National Pulse reported last week that a DOT review found 53 percent of non-domiciled CDLs were reportedly issued unlawfully to illegal immigrants. Nationwide, nearly half of truck driving schools were found to be noncompliant with federal guidelines, with thousands of training providers removed or placed on notice for violations.

Secretary Duffy criticized prior administrations for allowing “bad actors” to exploit the system, undermining road safety and getting people killed. “Their negligence endangered every family on America’s roadways, and it ends today,” he said.

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December 16, 2025
Crime
News

Student Arrested Over Christmas Market ISIS Plot.

PULSE POINTS

âť“WHAT HAPPENED: A university student in Poland has been charged with plotting a terror attack at a Christmas market and seeking to establish contacts with the Islamic State (ISIS).

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Mateusz W., a 19-year-old student at the Catholic University of Lublin, and Polish authorities, including special services spokesman Jacek Dobrzynski.

đź“ŤWHEN & WHERE: The arrest took place in late November in Lublin, eastern Poland. The alleged attack was planned for a Christmas market in an unspecified Polish city.

đź’¬KEY QUOTE: “The man was very fascinated by Islam, sought to establish contacts with the Islamic State, and was preparing an attack in Poland, in one of the cities during a Christmas market.” – Jacek Dobrzynski.

🎯IMPACT: The arrest highlights ongoing security concerns at Christmas markets in Europe, which have been targeted by jihadists in multiple terror attacks in recent years.

IN FULL

Polish authorities have arrested a 19-year-old university student on suspicion of planning a terrorist attack on a Christmas market, officials said. Mateusz W., a student at the Catholic University of Lublin, was detained in late November after investigators concluded he had been preparing an attack that could have caused mass casualties.

During a search of his apartment in Lublin, officers seized data carriers and other items described by authorities as being “related to Islam.”

According to Jacek Dobrzynski, a spokesman for Poland’s special services, “The man was very fascinated by Islam, sought to establish contacts with the Islamic State, and was preparing an attack in Poland, in one of the cities during a Christmas market.” Investigators allege that Mateusz W. was preparing to use explosives and intended to join a terrorist organization.

Prosecutors have charged him with undertaking preparatory actions to carry out a terrorist attack that could have resulted in the death or serious injury of many people. A court has ordered that he remain in pretrial detention for three months while the investigation continues.

Christmas markets across Europe have faced heightened scrutiny from security services after a series of attacks and foiled plots in recent years. In December 2024, a car-ramming attack at a Christmas market in Magdeburg, Germany, killed six people and injured more than 200, making it one of the deadliest such attacks in recent memory. German prosecutors later brought numerous murder and attempted murder charges against the Saudi immigrant suspect.

Other European countries have also reported disrupted plots targeting Christmas markets, while some municipalities have canceled events altogether, citing concerns over security costs and the risk of Islamist terrorism. American investigators have similarly noted that attackers inspired by the Islamic State have studied past Christmas market attacks before carrying out attacks in the U.S.

In response to the continuing threat, several European governments, including Germany, have expanded security measures around Christmas markets. These measures have included concrete barriers to block vehicles, police checkpoints, increased patrols, and enhanced video surveillance aimed at preventing attacks during the Christmas season.

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December 16, 2025
War
World

U.S. Military Destroys Another Three Drug Boats in Pacific, Killing Eight.

PULSE POINTS

âť“WHAT HAPPENED: The U.S. military struck three drug trafficking boats in the Eastern Pacific, resulting in the death of eight narco-terrorists.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: The U.S. military’s Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) and cartels designated as Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs) by the Trump administration.

đź“ŤWHEN & WHERE: The strikes occurred on a Monday in the Eastern Pacific.

đź’¬KEY QUOTE: “Intelligence confirmed that the vessels were transiting along known narco-trafficking routes in the Eastern Pacific and were engaged in narco-trafficking. A total of eight male narco-terrorists were killed during these actions—three in the first vessel, two in the second and three in the third.” — U.S. Southern Command

🎯IMPACT: The strikes are part of a broader campaign against drug cartels operating in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific.

IN FULL

U.S Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) has announced another series of strikes in the Eastern Pacific on three vessels identified as being used by drug traffickers. The military action resulted in the destruction of all three vessels and the deaths of eight “male narco-terrorists.”

“Intelligence confirmed that the vessels were transiting along known narco-trafficking routes in the Eastern Pacific and were engaged in narco-trafficking. A total of eight male narco-terrorists were killed during these actions—three in the first vessel, two in the second and three in the third,” SOUTHCOM wrote in a post on X (formerly Twitter) following the strikes.

Authorized by Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, the strikes are part of a broader operation by the Trump administration aimed at disrupting known drug trafficking routes in the Caribbean and along the Pacific coast of Central and South America. The latest operation brings the number of narco-traffickers killed in the ongoing strikes to an estimated total of 90.

Venezuelan cartels—including Cartel de los Soles, believed to be headed by the country’s dictator Nicolás Maduro—have been the primary targets of the U.S. military operation. The campaign, comprising primarily of U.S. Navy and Air Force assets, was launched in early September and is part of what President Donald J. Trump has designated as a “non-international armed conflict” against drug cartels. The America First leader has designated a number of Central and South American cartels as Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs).

A previous strike on September 2 faced criticism after reports surfaced that survivors of an initial attack were killed in a follow-up operation on Sec. Hegseth’s instructions. However, Admiral Frank Bradley—the head of the Special Operations Command—told lawmakers on Capitol Hill earlier this month that he was the authorizing official for both the initial strike and secondary strike, and that Sec. Hegseth never gave an order to “kill everybody,” as alleged in the media. Additionally, the admiral stated that it appeared survivors were attempting to contact other nearby cartel boats in an effort to salvage the drug shipment. At this juncture, the survivors were deemed to be “still in the fight” and valid targets.

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December 16, 2025
Lawfare
Politics

FBI Emails Show Biden DOJ Lacked Probable Cause in Trump Mar-a-Lago Raid.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Emails are set to be turned over to Congress showing the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) warned the Biden Department of Justice (DOJ) that it lacked probable cause to raid President Donald J. Trump’s Mar-a-Lago residence, but prosecutors proceeded anyway.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Attorney General Pam Bondi, current FBI Director Kash Patel, former Biden government special counsel Jack Smith, House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan (R-OH), and President Trump.

đź“ŤWHEN & WHERE: The emails are to be turned over to the Senate and House Judiciary Committees as early as Tuesday.

đź’¬KEY QUOTE: “The Committee on the Judiciary is continuing to conduct oversight of the operations of the Office of Special Counsel you led—specifically, your team’s prosecutions of President Donald J. Trump and his co-defendants.” – Chairman Jim Jordan.

🎯IMPACT: The revelations further highlight concerns of political weaponization within the DOJ under the former Biden government, particularly with regard to actions against Trump ahead of the 2024 election.

IN FULL

Email communications from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) sent to the former Biden government’s Department of Justice (DOJ) warning that it lacked probable cause to execute the August 8, 2022, raid of President Donald J. Trump’s Mar-a-Lago residence are set to be turned over to congressional investigators. Reports indicate that Attorney General Pam Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel, as soon as Tuesday, will provide the Biden-era emails to the Senate and House Judiciary committees—ahead of a Wednesday deposition of former Biden DOJ special counsel Jack Smith.

The emails detail the FBI’s legal objections to the raid, though Biden DOJ prosecutors decided to proceed regardless. Before the raid, in which the use of deadly force was authorized, the FBI’s Washington field office warned federal prosecutors that it “does not believe they established probable cause” to execute the warrant.

Notably, the raid became a significant inflection point just before the 2024 election and subsequently led to two federal indictments against President Trump. Jack Smith took over the FBI’s classified documents case several months after the Mar-a-Lago raid, ramping up Democrat lawfare efforts against the Republican nominee. Both indictments were ultimately dismissed.

Smith is set to be deposed on Wednesday in a closed-door session by the House Judiciary Committee. Congressional investigators are probing the Biden DOJ’s prosecutions of President Trump and Smith’s actions in the Arctic Frost scandal.

“The Committee on the Judiciary is continuing to conduct oversight of the operations of the Office of Special Counsel you led—specifically, your team’s prosecutions of President Donald J. Trump and his co-defendants,” House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan (R-OH) wrote in the letter accompanying the subpoena sent to Smith two weeks ago. Peter Koski, a lawyer representing Smith, indicated that he would comply with the subpoena.

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December 16, 2025
Immigration
Lawfare

Biden Judge Delays Trump Admin Effort to Restrict SNAP Benefits for Migrants.

PULSE POINTS

âť“WHAT HAPPENED: A federal judge extended the grace period for states to comply with Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) eligibility rules after a legal challenge by 20 states.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: The Trump administration, 20 state attorneys general, U.S. District Court Judge Michael Simon Kasubhai, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

đź“ŤWHEN & WHERE: The lawsuit was filed on November 26, and the ruling was issued on December 15. The issue involves SNAP programs across the U.S.

💬KEY QUOTE: “The inability to provide compliance in the time period in which they were forced to by virtue of the guidance contributed to an erosion of trust.” – Judge Michael Simon Kasubhai.

🎯IMPACT: The ruling mandates that the Trump administration extend the grace period for states to comply with changes to SNAP eligibility.

IN FULL

A federal judge ruled on Monday that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) must allow states additional time to bring themselves into compliance with new guidance regarding Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) eligibility. The order follows a coalition of 20 state attorneys general filing suit on November 26, arguing that the administration failed to provide a legally required 120-day compliance period.

The issue centers on guidance issued by the USDA on October 31, 2025, which would bar SNAP benefit eligibility for certain lawful permanent residents—including refugees and asylum seekers. Notably, the USDA guidance stems from changes to SNAP, also known as food stamps, made under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, signed into law by President Donald J. Trump on July 4. Provisions in the law significantly reduced the number of immigrants who can qualify for the supplemental food assistance.

States were initially told to comply immediately with the new SNAP eligibility rules or face significant fines. However, after an initial legal challenge, the Trump administration reversed course on December 10 and reinstated eligibility for all lawful permanent residents. Other SNAP restrictions under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act remain in place, and the USDA continues to contend that the compliance grace period ended on November 1.

In his ruling, U.S. District Court Judge Michael Simon Kasubhai—a Biden appointee—agreed with the 20 state attorneys general, ruling that the USDA’s position was unlawful and inconsistent with past practices. “The inability to provide compliance in the time period in which they were forced to by virtue of the guidance contributed to an erosion of trust,” Judge Kasubhai wrote, extending the grace period to April 9, 2026.

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December 16, 2025
Media
UK

Trump Files $10 Billion Defamation Lawsuit Against BBC.

PULSE POINTS

âť“WHAT HAPPENED: President Donald J. Trump has filed a $10 billion defamation lawsuit against the BBC over a 2024 news special that allegedly misrepresented his remarks.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: President Trump, the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), and its leadership team.

đź“ŤWHEN & WHERE: The lawsuit was filed on December 15, 2025, stemming from a BBC broadcast aired on October 28, 2024.

đź’¬KEY QUOTE: “Literally, they put words in my mouth. They had me saying things that I never said coming out. I guess they used AI or something,” said President Trump.

🎯IMPACT: The lawsuit highlights alleged media bias and potential misuse of editing in influencing public opinion during elections.

IN FULL

President Donald J. Trump has filed a $10 billion lawsuit against the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) over alleged defamation in a news special aired one week before the 2024 presidential election. The 33-page legal complaint accuses the broadcaster of fabricating and airing a deceptive depiction of Trump, which it claims was an attempt to interfere in the election.

The October 28, 2024, episode titled “Donald Trump: A Second Chance?” was produced by the BBC’s Panorama program. The lawsuit alleges that the BBC intentionally spliced together clips of remarks Trump made on January 6, 2021, to create a false narrative of him encouraging violence. The filing states that this caused significant damage to Trump’s personal and business reputation.

Trump addressed the lawsuit during a December 15 announcement at the White House, stating, “Literally, they put words in my mouth. They had me saying things that I never said coming out. I guess they used AI or something.” The edits in question combined two separate parts of a speech Trump gave at the Ellipse in Washington, D.C., creating the impression that he urged supporters to march to the Capitol and engage in violent action.

The BBC has admitted to the misleading edit, issuing an apology in November and stating the episode would not be rebroadcast. “We accept that our edit unintentionally created the impression that we were showing a single continuous section of the speech, rather than excerpts from different points in the speech,” the de facto British state broadcaster wrote in its ‘Corrections and Clarifications’ section. Despite this, the BBC has denied that the issue rises to the level of defamation.

The lawsuit comes after the resignation of the BBC’s director-general and CEO of news following the controversy. Trump had previously welcomed the resignations, calling them a result of the broadcaster being caught “doctoring” his speech. He also stated he plans to raise the issue with British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, describing the incident as “very embarrassing” for a U.S. ally.

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December 16, 2025
Bonkers Britain
News

Lawmaker Pushes to Legalize Euthanasia for Pregnant Women.

PULSE POINTS

âť“WHAT HAPPENED: A lawmaker for Britain’s governing Labour Party has stated that pregnancy should not prevent a woman from accessing “assisted dying” under proposed euthanasia legislation.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Lord Charles Falconer and members of the House of Lords.

đź“ŤWHEN & WHERE: The debate occurred during the committee stage of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill in the House of Lords earlier this month.

💬KEY QUOTE: “It is clear from the choice that I am supporting that we take the view that pregnancy should not be a bar to [euthanasia].” – Lord Falconer

🎯IMPACT: The debate highlights significant ethical and legal concerns regarding euthanasia, particularly in cases involving pregnancy.

IN FULL

A lawmaker for Britain’s governing Labour Party is arguing that pregnancy should not prevent a woman from being euthanized by the state, despite her child also being killed by the process. Lord Charles Falconer, a former Secretary of State for Justice under close personal friend Tony Blair, told the House of Lords that pregnancy should not automatically prevent a woman from accessing so-called “assisted dying” under Britain‘s proposed euthanasia legislation, as peers continue detailed scrutiny of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill.

Speaking during committee stage debates on amendments, Lord Falconer responded to concerns raised by another peer about how assisted suicide laws deal with pregnancy in other countries. Oregon was cited as requiring efforts to keep the mother alive if the unborn child is “viable,” while the Netherlands allows for aborting babies before euthanizing their mothers. Lord Falconer made clear that the approach he supports would not treat pregnancy as an exclusion. “It is clear from the choice that I am supporting that we take the view that pregnancy should not be a bar to it,” he said.

Euthanasia remains illegal throughout the United Kingdom under the Suicide Act 1961, which carries a maximum prison sentence of 14 years. However, the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, introduced as a Private Members’ Bill, has passed key votes in 2024 and 2025. If it becomes law, it would permit assisted suicide in England and Wales for terminally ill adults expected to live six months or less, subject to court approval.

The debate has drawn attention to international experiences with assisted suicide. In Canada, so-called medical assistance in dying (MAiD) has expanded significantly since its introduction in 2016. Government data indicate that by the end of 2025, the cumulative number of Canadians who have been killed through MAiD could approach 100,000, with the practice accounting for roughly five percent of all deaths nationwide. Eligibility has broadened over time, and critics argue that the rapid growth endangers vulnerable people, particularly those with disabilities or limited access to care.

Canada’s program has also been linked to organ harvesting. Reports indicate that hundreds of MAiD patients have donated organs following euthanization, with a small but notable share of deceased-donor transplants now involving individuals who died under the program. Supporters see this as a benefit to transplant recipients, while opponents warn of ethical risks.

Image by Mp3juicecon.

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December 15, 2025
News
War

Peace Talks Point to Ukraine Joining the EU Rather Than NATO.

PULSE POINTS

âť“WHAT HAPPENED: American and Ukrainian negotiators met in Berlin, Germany, to discuss a 20-point agreement aimed at ending the conflict in Ukraine.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: American and Ukrainian officials, including President Volodymyr Zelensky, and, reportedly, Russian representatives.

đź“ŤWHEN & WHERE: Monday, December 15, 2025, in Berlin, Germany.

đź’¬KEY QUOTE: “Europe and Russia can finally have an arrangement and understanding that can lead to a more peaceful and prosperous future for everyone.” – U.S. official

🎯IMPACT: The proposed deal could end the nearly four-year-long conflict and reshape Ukraine’s security arrangements.

IN FULL

American and Ukrainian officials have held talks in Berlin, Germany, focused on what negotiators described as a “very strong security package” for Kiev, aimed at ending the nearly four-year-long war with Russia. One official indicated that Russia may now be open to Ukraine joining the European Union (EU). Notably, the EU includes a mutual defense clause similar to NATO’s Article 5—but it covers only EU members, not the United States.

According to officials familiar with the discussions, the current proposals center on a 20-point agreement that would provide Ukraine with “Article Five-like security guarantees” from the United States and allied nations, offering NATO-style protections without Ukraine formally joining the alliance. “Europe and Russia can finally have an arrangement and understanding that can lead to a more peaceful and prosperous future for everyone,” a U.S. official said.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has publicly suggested he is willing to set aside Ukraine’s bid for NATO membership in favor of bilateral security guarantees from the United States and European partners. While NATO officials have previously said Ukraine will eventually join the alliance after the war ends, Zelensky’s recent statements point to a more flexible negotiating position focused on alternative security assurances rather than formal alliance membership.

The European Union dimension remains complicated. Ukraine is officially a candidate for EU membership; however, accession requires the unanimous approval of all member states. Hungary, a NATO member, recently held a national consultation in which voters rejected Ukraine’s EU entry, with Prime Minister Viktor Orbán arguing that admitting Ukraine would effectively import the war into the bloc. That opposition underscores the political hurdles Kiev faces even as negotiations advance.

A U.S. official involved in the Berlin talks said that President Donald J. Trump is prepared to submit the agreement to the U.S. Senate for ratification if it is finalized.

Image: European Union 2023– Source: EP.

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