Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov expressed openness to discussing security arrangements with President-elect Donald Trump, citing a potential root cause of the conflict in Ukraine as NATO's plan to admit it to the alliance. Lavrov praised Trump for acknowledging that NATO's expansion to include Ukraine was a factor in the nearly 3-year-old conflict. He emphasized that any peace talks should involve broader European security arrangements and offered to discuss security guarantees for Kyiv, echoing comments made by Trump who suggested that Russia had legitimate concerns about Ukraine's potential membership in NATO.
https://apnews.com/article/lavrov-russia-us-trump-putin-ukraine-67193b9633509a4e5ff1f5668a587c53Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated that his country will study US President-elect Donald Trump's position on Ukrainian issues once he is inaugurated. However, Lavrov welcomed Trump's willingness to discuss the reality of the situation in Ukraine, citing statements from both Trump and his nominated national security adviser Mike Walz, who suggested that a diplomatic solution to end the war was necessary.
https://www.fakti.bg/en/world/941572-russia-asked-trump-to-formulate-its-conditions-for-ukraineLebanon's new government faces significant challenges, including implementing economic reforms to satisfy international donors amid the country's worst economic crisis in its history. The government will also need to reconstruct areas damaged during the Israel-Hezbollah war and implement a ceasefire agreement reached on November 27. The election of President Michel Aoun has been seen as a "new phase" for the country, with some viewing it as an opportunity for reform, while others see it as a return to the status quo. The new government will be led by Prime Minister-designate Najib Mikati or Nawaf Salam, who was nominated by the opposition and backed by anti-Hezbollah lawmakers.
https://www.brecorder.com/news/40342585/icj-judge-nawaf-named-lebanon-pm-angering-hezbollahNATO has launched a military operation in the Baltic Sea called "Baltic Sentry" to increase vigilance in the region. The mission will involve various assets such as frigates and maritime patrol aircraft, but the exact number of ships involved is not being disclosed to avoid giving information to potential adversaries. The operation is a response to sabotage incidents targeting Russian oil tankers operating under an embargo since the invasion of Ukraine.
https://www.fakti.bg/en/world/941604-against-the-russian-threat-nato-launches-mission-in-the-baltic-seaLebanon's new prime minister-designate Nawaf Salam has vowed to unite the country's various factions in his mission to "rescue, reform and rebuild" Lebanon, which is grappling with its worst financial crisis since 2019. Despite opposition from Hezbollah in the past, the militant group did not block Salam's nomination, allowing President Joseph Aoun to task him with forming a government on Monday. Salam has pledged to ensure state authority over all Lebanese soil, particularly after the November 27 truce between Hezbollah and Israel, and to work towards implementing UN resolution 1701, which calls for Hezbollah's withdrawal from south Lebanon. He also aims to build a modern and productive economy and impose the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Lebanese territory.
https://www.khaleejtimes.com/world/mena/lebanons-new-pm-says-reaching-out-to-all-sides-to-save-countrySouth Korea's military reported that North Korea launched a projectile towards the East Sea, also known as the Sea of Japan, on Tuesday. The launch was confirmed by South Korea's military, but further details are not available due to registration requirements for access to the full article.
Russian Security Council Secretary Nikolai Patrushev has stated that he believes talks to resolve the conflict in Ukraine should only involve Russia and the US, excluding other Western countries such as London and Brussels. This stance reflects a focus on bilateral dialogue with Washington, indicating a disregard for the involvement of other key allies.
https://www.fakti.bg/en/world/941602-nikolai-patrushev-ukraine-talks-should-be-between-russia-and-the-us-onlyThe Philippines has expressed concerns over increased Chinese naval activity in the South China Sea, a strategic waterway claimed by several countries including Beijing, Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan and Vietnam. According to Commodore Jay Tarriela of the Philippine Coast Guard, Chinese patrol ships have been deployed as close as 60 nautical miles west of Luzon, the main island of the Philippines, in an attempt to normalize their presence. The Philippine government has responded by deploying a coast guard ship to challenge what it considers "unlawful" Chinese patrols, with Tarriela stating that the goal is to prevent China from altering the existing status quo and to deter its "bullying behaviour".
https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/1271598-manila-deploys-coast-guard-ship-to-counter-china-patrolsA ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas is being negotiated, with Qatar presenting a draft agreement to both sides. The deal could lead to the release of up to 33 hostages held by Hamas in exchange for Palestinian detainees held by Israel. Israeli officials have expressed optimism about the talks, with National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan saying there's a good chance of closing the deal. However, Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has warned that he won't back a deal that halts the war without addressing core issues. The negotiations are in advanced stages, with Hamas officials also expressing a desire to reach an agreement. The deal would see a phased troop withdrawal from Gaza, with security arrangements in place along the border and the return of Palestinian residents to the North Gaza area.
https://www.brecorder.com/news/40342609/gaza-ceasefire-deal-close-after-breakthrough-in-doha