| PUTIN: 'THE GOALS … WILL UNDOUBTEDLY BE ACHIEVED': You can't say Russian President Vladimir Putin hasn't been consistent. At no point since Donald Trump regained the U.S. presidency has Putin given any indication he was willing to compromise on his territorial ambitions or his maximalist objectives of his "special military operation" in Ukraine, or accept anything less than full capitulation from Kyiv to end the fighting. In remarks Wednesday to officials of his Defense Ministry, Putin insisted that while "many problems remain," his "battle-hardened" soldiers were winning on the battlefield, and there is no reason to make any concessions in peace talks with the U.S. "The goals of the special military operation will undoubtedly be achieved," Putin said. "We would prefer to accomplish this and address the root causes of the conflict through diplomatic means. However, if the opposing side and its foreign patrons refuse to engage in substantive dialogue, Russia will achieve the liberation of its historical lands by military means." Like Trump, Putin blamed the war on President Joe Biden, who he said "deliberately brought matters to an armed conflict," while lashing out at what he called European "piglets" — or, as it was translated on the Kremlin website, "swine underlings" — who Putin said were "hoping to profit from our country's collapse." "President Trump has said that had he been in office at the time, none of this would have happened. He may well be right," Putin said. PUTIN WARNS OF MILITARY ESCALATION IN UKRAINE TO GAIN MORE LAND IF NO PEACE DEAL IS REACHED ZELENSKY: 'WE AGAIN HEARD SIGNALS FROM MOSCOW': Putin's threat to keep fighting until all his goals are achieved sent chills through Kyiv, prompting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to warn the rhetoric should not be shrugged off. "We again heard signals from Moscow that they are preparing to make next year a year of war," Zelensky said in his nightly video address. "And these signals are not only for us. It is crucial that our partners see them, and not only see them but also respond — especially partners in the United States, who often say that Russia wants to end the war." Particularly ominous was Putin's reference to the "liberation of historical lands" which the Institute for the Study of War said usually referred to wide expanses of territory beyond the five regions of Ukraine that Russia has illegally annexed. "Kremlin officials have often labelled Odesa City as a 'Russian' city and discussed 'Novorossiya' — an amorphous invented region in southern and eastern Ukraine that the Kremlin has claimed is 'integral' to Russia." "This Russian mindset must be recognized and acted upon," Zelensky said. "And when they are in this very mindset, they will also undermine diplomacy — seeking, through various diplomatic language and pressure over specific points in documents — to merely mask their desire to destroy Ukraine and Ukrainians, and the desire to legitimize Russia's theft of our land." "Security measures are needed, financial measures are needed — including actions on Russian assets — political measures are needed. And the courage of all partners is required." 'EUROPE MUST MAKE THIS CHOICE': European Union leaders are gathering in Brussels today for what Zelensky says is a crucial meeting, where once again the EU will consider using frozen Russian assets to loan Ukraine tens of billions of euros to fund the war effort for another two years. "The outcome of this meeting — the result Europe produces — must make Russia feel that its desire to continue the war next year is pointless, because Ukraine will have support," Zelensky said. "This rests entirely with Europe; Europe must make this choice." "It is up to us to choose how we fund Ukraine's fight," European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said ahead of today's summit. "We know the urgency. It is acute. We all feel it. We all see it," European Council President António Costa, who is chairing Thursday's meeting in Brussels, has vowed to keep leaders negotiating until an agreement is reached, even if it takes days, according to the Associated Press. At the same time, Ukraine's backers in the U.S. Congress are calling for President Trump to meet Putin's intransigence with something he genuinely fears — long-range U.S. weaponry that can hit vital targets deep in Russia. "The U.S. should send 200 long-range and extremely accurate cruise missiles to Ukraine," Rep. Don Bacon (R-NE) posted on X. "Maybe then, Putin will get serious and seek peace. Putin started this war, and he'll stop this war once he realizes he cannot win and that the cost of war is too high." WEST NOW FACING THREATS 'ONCE CONSIDERED UNIMAGINABLE' FROM RUSSIA Good Thursday morning and welcome to Jamie McIntyre's Daily on Defense, written and compiled by Washington Examiner National Security Senior Writer Jamie McIntyre (@jamiejmcintyre) and edited by Christopher Tremoglie. Email here with tips, suggestions, calendar items, and anything else. Sign up or read current and back issues at DailyonDefense.com. If signing up doesn't work, shoot us an email and we'll add you to our list. And be sure to follow me on Threads and/or on X @jamiejmcintyre. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP OR READ BACK ISSUES OF DAILY ON DEFENSE NOTE TO READERS: Daily on Defense will be on holiday break beginning the week of Monday, Dec. 22, and continuing through Jan. 1, 2026. We'll be back in the new year. HAPPENING TODAY: President Trump will find the final version of this year's National Defense Authorization Act on his desk today, ready for his signature, after the Senate gave the defense policy bill final approval on a 77-20 vote. The annual must-pass bill traditionally enjoys broad support and is a rare example of bipartisan compromise. The no votes came from Sens. Rand Paul (R-KY) and Mike Lee (R-UT), who sided with 18 Democrats. The $901 billion authorization bill — which dictates how the Pentagon can append the money Congress allocates in a separate appropriation measure — contains some provisions Trump may not like, including a provision intended to pressure Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to release more of the video that shows the Sept. 2 boat strike in which two alleged drug runners who survived an initial strike were killed in a second strike, as well as provide more information about Operation Southern Spear. The bill also requires the U.S. to maintain its current troop levels in Europe, at 76,000, until it has provided an assessment of the potential security impacts. It also authorizes $400 million in aid for Ukraine. It also does not codify Trump's executive order to rename the Pentagon the Department of War. However, it also implements many of Trump's executive orders, including the elimination of diversity and inclusion efforts in the military, and grants him emergency military powers at the U.S. border with Mexico. SENATE SENDS ANNUAL DEFENSE BILL TO TRUMP'S DESK BEFORE CHRISTMAS $1,776 'WARRIOR DIVIDEND' — THE CHECKS ARE IN THE MAIL: In his broadcast address to the nation last night, President Trump announced he's sending "warrior dividends" to 1.4 million military personnel, for $1,776, in honor of the nation's 250th birthday next year. "In honor of our nation's founding in 1776, we are sending every soldier $1,776. Think of that. And the checks are already on the way," Trump said. "Nobody deserves it more than our military." "Think of this — 1,450,000 military service members will receive a special we call warrior dividend before Christmas, a warrior dividend," Trump said, explaining the money would come from tariff revenues. "We made a lot more money than anybody thought because of tariffs." TRUMP SENDS TROOPS $1,776 BONUS CHECKS, AND BIDEN COAL, IN CHRISTMAS SPEECH TO NATION 26TH BOAT STRIKE KILLS FOUR: The U.S. Southern Command released another video last night, which showed the latest strike against a suspected drug boat as it traversed what the U.S. military said was a "known narco-trafficking route in the Eastern Pacific," killing all four men who were on the vessel. The strike brings the total number of boats sunk in Operation Southern Spear to 26, with 99 people killed. MEXICAN PRESIDENT PLEADS FOR UN HELP TO COMBAT US OPERATIONS AGAINST VENEZUELA ROGERS: 'MY COMMITTEE IS DONE': While Democrats continue to argue the Sept. 2 "double-tap" strike was a war crime, and that the killing of drug smugglers who could be captured is unlawful, the chairman of the House Armed Services Committee says he's seen enough. "I'm satisfied everybody answered all the questions, and I'm also satisfied that this was a lawful process that was followed," said Rep. Mike Rogers (R-AL). He reviewed the controversial video and received a classified briefing from Adm. Frank Bradley, the commander who ordered the strike to kill the two survivors as they clung to the wreck of their boat. "My committee is done," Rogers said. Democrats on the committee, including ranking member Reps. Adam Smith (D-WA) and Jason Crow (D-CO), a former Army Ranger, are still calling for the release of the video so the American people can judge for themselves. "I went into it with an open mind because I used to be one of those commanders on the ground doing these types of operations. I know how hard they can be," Crow said on CNN. "I saw nothing to justify that second strike. And in fact, this is precisely the type of situation, an incident where you would refrain from striking a second time. Very, very clear in my view." "But let's let the American people decide and see that for themselves. Right? There's no reason not to release the video," Crow said. "I was very clear in asking the commanders today whether or not there was any reason they could not release the video. Their answer was very clear. No, they could prepare this video for release just like they have every other video." THE SECRET WAR IN SYRIA: President Trump, Secretary Pete Hegseth, and Joint Chiefs Chairman Dan Caine were among those at Dover Air Force base yesterday as the remains of two soldiers killed in an ambush in Syria were repatriated to the United States in what is known as a "dignified transfer ceremony." The deaths of Army Sgts. William Howard and Edgar Torres Tovar have drawn attention to a war that has primarily been fought in the shadows, prompting the U.S. Central Command to release new details about the nearly 80 operations against "ISIS remnants" that U.S. and partner forces have carried out since July. "ISIS has inspired at least 11 plots or attacks against targets in the United States over the past year. In response, U.S. Central Command operations have resulted in 119 terrorists detained and 14 killed over the last six months, disrupting efforts for ISIS to reconstitute and inspire terror attacks globally," CENTCOM said in a rare press release about the ongoing operations of Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve. "CENTCOM forces conducted a September raid in Syria that resulted in the death of senior ISIS operative Omar Abdul Qader, who actively sought to attack the United States," the release said. "During a July raid in al-Bab, Aleppo Governate, U.S. forces conducted a raid resulting in the death of senior ISIS leader Dhiya' Zawba Muslih al-Hardani and his two adult ISIS-affiliated sons, Abdallah Dhiya al-Hardani and Abd al-Rahman Dhiya Zawba al-Hardani." "Deploying our forces to take out these individuals makes America and the region safer," said U.S. Central Commander Adm. Brad Cooper. "We will continue to work closely with our Syrian partners to hunt down ISIS networks and prevent their resurgence." CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER THE RUNDOWN: Washington Examiner: Senate sends annual defense bill to Trump's desk before Christmas Washington Examiner: Putin warns of military escalation in Ukraine to gain more land if no peace deal is reached Washington Examiner: West now facing threats 'once considered unimaginable' from Russia Washington Examiner: Mexican president pleads for UN help to combat US operations against Venezuela Washington Examiner: US conducts 26th strike on suspected drug vessel, killing four Washington Examiner: Trump sends troops $1,776 bonus checks, and Biden coal, in Christmas speech to nation AP: Senate passes $901 billion defense bill that pushes Hegseth for boat strike video Defense One: Space Force Special Operations Command? Congress Has Questions, Too AP: Senate confirms Jared Isaacman as NASA administrator in do-over after Musk feud New York Times: Ukraine Plan Calls for Enhanced Military, with US and European Backup AP: US announces massive package of arms sales to Taiwan valued at more than $10 billion The War Zone: More KC-135 Tankers Deploy to the Caribbean New York Times: Venezuela's Navy Begins Escorting Ships as U.S. Threatens Blockade AP: Sen. Cruz wants restrictions on military flights approved soon to prevent another midair collision Washington Post: Senators freeze Coast Guard admiral's promotion over swastika, noose policy Bloomberg: US Army Says It's On Track to Deploy First US Hypersonic Weapon AP: US government admits role in causing helicopter-plane collision that killed 67 in Washington Air & Space Forces Magazine: USAF Moves Up Air Force One Delivery; Acquires 2 Extra 747-8s for Parts, Training Breaking Defense: DOD to Industry: Start Planning Now for 2027 Deadline Banning Chinese Parts Politico: Trump Sends Nomination of Joshua Rudd—Potential NSA, Cyber Command Leader—to Senate DefenseScoop: Pentagon AI Chief Departing to Work on Golden Dome Effort Air & Space Forces Magazine: Combat Forces Command Creates New Ops Centers for SATCOM and EW Air & Space Forces Magazine: Air Force IT Leaders Adopt Commercial-First Strategy Air & Space Forces Magazine: Air Force: Medical Shaving Profiles Issued Before March Will Soon Be Invalid AP: Pulitzer Prize-winning correspondent Peter Arnett, who reported on Vietnam and Gulf wars, has died THE CALENDAR: THURSDAY| DECEMBER 18 9 a.m. — Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies virtual discussion: "Europe at War," with Nathalie Tocci, professor, practice at Johns Hopkins SAIS Europe and director at Isituto Affari Internazionali https://sais.jhu.edu/campus-events 10 a.m. 1775 Massachusetts Ave. NW. — Brookings Institution Center on the U.S. and Europe virtual discussion: "Ukraine: Pressure on Zelenskyy and prospects for peace," with Fiona Hill, senior fellow, Brookings Foreign Policy Program and Brookings Center on the U.S. and Europe; Thomas Wright, senior fellow at the Brookings Foreign Policy Program and Brookings Strobe Talbott Center for Security, Strategy, and Technology; Mariana Budjeryn, nonresident senior fellow, Brookings Foreign Policy Program and Brookings Center on the U.S. and Europe; and Anton Troianovski, global affairs correspondent at the New York Times https://www.brookings.edu/events/ukraine-pressure-on-zelenskyy 10:30 a.m. 2799 Richmond Hwy, Arlington, Virginia — Satellite Industry Association and the U.S. Space Command "Commercial Satcom Workshop," with Sen. Deb Fischer (R-NE) [email protected] 11 a.m. 222 Russell — Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe hearing: "Bosnia and Herzegovina at a crossroads, focusing on 30 years after Dayton," with former U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for War Crimes Issues Clint Williamson, senior director for international justice, Georgetown University; and Christopher Chivvis, director, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace American Statecraft Program; https://www.youtube.com/live/58JLQOFZOqM FRIDAY | DECEMBER 19 10 a.m. — National Institute for Deterrence Studies virtual seminar: "Strategic Perspective on Nuclear Modernization," with Dave Hoagland, acting National Nuclear Security Administration administrator for defense programs https://thinkdeterrence.com/events/strategic-perspective-on-nuclear-modernization | | | | "President Trump has said that had he been in office at the time, none of this would have happened. He may well be right. Because the previous administration deliberately brought matters to an armed conflict. And I think the reason is clear: they believed Russia could be swiftly broken up and dismantled. European "swine underlings" immediately joined the efforts of that previous American administration, hoping to profit from our country's collapse: to reclaim what had been lost in earlier historical periods and to exact a form of revenge. As has now become evident to all, every one of those attempts, every destructive design against Russia, has ended in complete and total failure." | | Russian President Vladimir Putin, in a speech to officials of his Defense Ministry on Wednesday |
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Megyn Kelly -> Pete Hegseth responds to 2017 rape accusation. 🔥 vol. 3, issue 13 | December 6, 2024 Quick Hits All the news you need in...
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