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Title: Christmas Day Attack: US Envoy Kellogg Condemns Russia‘s Massive Strikes on Ukraine

Selected by former U.S. President Donald Trump to serve as the special representative for matters concerning Russia and Ukraine, retired General Keith Kellogg has publicly condemned Russia’s large-scale missile and drone attacks on Ukraine on Christmas Day. Kellogg took to Twitter to express his disappointment that peace was not experiencing this holiday, instead finding only more escalation in the conflict.

"Launching large-scale missile and drone attacks on the day of the Lord’s birth is wrong," Kellogg tweeted, emphasizing that the world is closely watching the actions on both sides. He reiterated the U.S. commitment to fostering peace in the region.

Last week, the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced a preliminary agreement between Ukraine and the Trump team regarding the date of Kellogg’s visit. Kellogg, who previously stated he aims to "listen to both sides," plans to visit Kyiv and European capitals, but reportedly has no intentions of going to Russia.

Previously, Eurointegration.com.ua published an article detailing Keith Kellogg’s role as the U.S. special representative for Ukraine.

Title: Ukraine Seeks NATO Security, But U.S. Considers Alternatives

Ukraine’s pursuit of security guarantees, ideally through NATO membership, has been a key aspect of its foreign policy. However, with the U.S. unwilling to support this path during or immediately after the conflict, alternative strategies are being explored.

According to a Foreign Affairs report, the U.S. could provide effective security assurances to Ukraine without formal NATO membership. One option is bilateral agreements similar to those with South Korea and Israel. These agreements, established post-conflict, ensured the security of these nations without full alliance membership.

To end the ongoing conflict, analysts suggest a four-pronged approach:

1. Ceasefire Agreement: A well-crafted plan to halt the fighting.
2. Post-Conflict Security: Robust guarantees to prevent relapse.
3. Accountability: Measures to hold Russia responsible for its aggression.
4. Russia-West Relations: Steps to stabilize these relations.

Recognition of Russia’s claims on occupied territories seems unlikely. Instead, lines could freeze around current positions, with neither Ukraine nor Western nations acknowledging Russian control. To deter further aggression, the U.S. could offer security guarantees, potentially modeled on the South Korea and Israel agreements.

Another possibility lies in Ukraine’s potential EU membership. Article 42.7 of the EU Treaty obligates member states to aid any member facing armed aggression. This clause might even be more binding than NATO’s collective defense article.

Regardless of external guarantees, Ukraine must build a strong military to deter future aggression. The U.S. and NATO allies have already committed to training, supplies, and intelligence cooperation. However, they must now consider how best to equip Ukraine for sustainable peace.

Previously, Western discussions considered deploying a peacekeeping mission to Ukraine as part of wider security guarantees.

Republicans Eye Post-2024 Scrutiny of Ukraine Aid, Corruption

As Republicans gear up for potential control of the U.S. government post-2024, they’ve set their sights on scrutinizing military aid to Ukraine and investigating allegations of corruption within the country. A Republican figure in Kyiv, Steve Murr, has revealed that Capitol Hill is eager to delve into these issues once they secure the majority.

Murr, speaking to Kyiv Post insiders in Washington, stated that while Republicans are not opposed to providing military assistance to Ukraine, they want assurances that these funds and supplies reach their intended destinations. He warned that the Ukrainian capital could face multiple congressional hearings on military aid beginning in 2025, with the volume of future U.S. support hinging on the answers provided.

But the GOP’s interest extends beyond military aid. They also aim to get to the bottom of perceived corruption in Ukraine. In early 2024, Republican Matt Rosendale dubbed Ukraine "one of the most corrupt countries in the world" before 2022. American politicians, including a Capitol Hill intern, have expressed shock at reports of high-ranking Ukrainian officials extorting money from businesses, likening the situation to former President Trump’s legal woes.

Murr cautioned that increased awareness of such corruption could lead to further investigations and congressional hearings. He warned that a new corruption probe could potentially freeze U.S. aid to Ukraine indefinitely.

Earlier, Dialog.UA reported that former President Trump suggested Russian President Vladimir Putin was eager to meet with him to discuss the conflict in Ukraine. Meanwhile, former Prime Minister Robert Fico traveled to Moscow to complain to Putin about President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the sanctions imposed on Russia by the European Union.

This is a developing story. Stay tuned for updates.

Headline: U.S. Official: Ukraine‘s NATO Membership Crucial for Security Post-Conflict

Subhead: While challenging, achieving NATO membership is vital for Ukraine’s post-war security, says U.S. official.

Article:

In a significant statement that underscores the U.S.’s commitment to Ukraine’s security, a top White House official has reiterated the importance of Ukraine’s integration into NATO. Michael Carpenter, the Director for Europe in the U.S. National Security Council, emphasized that Ukraine’s membership in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is essential for ensuring peace and stability in the region.

During a interview aired on Sunday, December 22, Carpenter noted that Ukraine’s war-torn status currently presents a hurdle to its NATO aspirations. But once hostilities cease, he suggested, Ukraine’s membership should be prioritized due to the ironclad protection Article 5 of the NATO treaty offers.

"Article 5 is the most reliable, safe form of guarantees that states can have," Carpenter said. "Gaining it is crucial for Ukraine."

Achieving this, Carpenter acknowledged, will require significant political will from all 32 NATO member states. It will also necessitate a stable, post-conflict environment in Ukraine.

While awaiting Ukraine’s full integration into NATO, Carpenter echoed calls for a European military mission to guarantee peace and deter further Russian aggression. He endorsed the idea of a European mission that would bolster Ukraine’s security and ensure Russia adheres to any future peace agreements.

Carpenter’s statements align with the U.S.’s ongoing support for Ukraine’s territorial integrity and sovereignty, as well as its commitment to maintaining security and stability in Eastern Europe.

Originally published at Correspondent.net.

Internal Linking: [Understanding NATO’s Article 5](https://www.correspondent.net Tags for SEO:

During a meeting in Paris on December 7, President-elect Donald Trump stated that Europe would need to take the lead in securing and supporting Ukraine, including a future ceasefire. According to “European Truth”, citing The Wall Street Journal, Trump also suggested that he was not supportive of Ukraine’s NATO membership but wanted a “strong, well-armed Ukraine” post-conflict. Trump expressed that European troops, not U.S. forces, should oversee any ceasefire in Ukraine. Furthermore, Trump pressed European leaders to do more to pressure China to persuade Russia to end its full-scale invasion, mentioning potential tariffs on China. Sources close to Trump told WSJ that he hasn’t formed a definitive plan on Ukraine yet and will make key decisions after building his national security team and holding further talks with allies, potentially including Russian President Vladimir Putin. This discussion of European troops on Ukrainian soil gained traction after French President Emmanuel Macron first floated the idea in early 2022.

Title: WSJ Reports: Trump Backs Deployment of European Troops to Ukraine for Ceasefire Oversight

The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) has reported that President Donald Trump has expressed support for the deployment of European troops to Ukraine to monitor and ensure the upholding of a potential ceasefire. This proposal comes as part of ongoing efforts to resolve the conflict in eastern Ukraine, which has been ongoing since 2014.

According to sources familiar with the matter, Trump discussed this idea during a recent video conference with European leaders. The proposed mission would involve European troops, led by the United States, to oversee and enforce a potential ceasefire agreement between Ukraine and Russia-backed separatists in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions.

The WSJ report highlights that this proposal is still in its early stages and will likely face challenges, both logistically and politically. Here are some key points from the report:

1. U.S. Role: The U.S. would play a leading role in the mission, providing training, equipment, and logistics support to the European forces.

2. European Contribution: European nations would provide the bulk of the troops on the ground. The WSJ reports that several European countries, including Poland and the Baltic states, have expressed a willingness to contribute troops.

3. Ceasefire Monitoring: The primary objective of the mission would be to monitor and ensure the adherence to a ceasefire agreement. This would involve patrolling the contact line between Ukrainian forces and separatists, as well as monitoring potential violations.

4. Challenges: The proposal faces several challenges, including gaining Russia’s consent, which is seen as unlikely given its support for the separatists. Additionally, stationing European troops in Ukraine could further escalate tensions with Russia.

5. Emerging from Shadows: For the U.S. and Europe, the proposal represents a more active role in the Ukraine conflict. Until now, their involvement has been largely limited to diplomatic and economic measures, such as sanctions against Russia.

In conclusion, the WSJ report suggests a significant shift in the U.S. and European approach to the Ukraine conflict, with a proposed mission to monitor a ceasefire using European troops led by the U.S. While the idea is still in its early stages and faces numerous hurdles, it underscores the international community’s continued efforts to find a lasting solution to the conflict in eastern Ukraine.