The third anniversary of the Ukraine War came and went on Monday as the US is rapidly reorienting where it stands on the conflict. The tectonic shift was laid bare Monday in the UN General Assembly, where the US broke with European allies and opposed Ukraine’s resolution condemning Russian aggression and calling for the withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukraine. Instead, the US put forth a rival resolution calling for an end to the conflict without laying blame on Russia for starting it. Both resolutions were adopted.
Meanwhile, France’s President Emmanuel Macron met with Donald Trump in Washington on Monday in an attempt to realign the US and Europe. During the meeting, Trump declined to label Russian President Vladimir Putin as a dictator and incorrectly claimed that the US has spent three times more than Europe to support Ukraine. He is expected to brief EU leaders today, ahead of a potential defense summit on Sunday. Macron’s takeaway: A truce could be weeks away, but “should not be a surrender of Ukraine.” UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is also expected to meet with Trump in Washington on Thursday to discuss Ukraine’s security.
Setting the record straight on funding: European countries, including the EU, have collectively exceeded America’s support, providing $138 billion in allocated aid compared to America’s $119 billion (though America maintains a slight edge in military assistance). When factoring in additional pending commitments, Europe’s lead increases further. However, nearly 90% of EU institutional financial support consists of loans (albeit with very favorable terms), while approximately 60% of American financial aid has been delivered as outright grants.
Excluding loans, the US has given $50.9 billion in aid to Ukraine, according to economists at the University of California Berkeley – or 0.25% of the federal budget in 2024, roughly what is spent on energy and maintenance for federal buildings.
Will Trump visit Moscow? Trump told Macron that he may visit Russia if peace negotiations succeed – which he suggested could happen within a matter of weeks. The visit would be the first for an American president in over 10 years and would be a boon for Putin on the global stage. The Russian president offered to sell rare earth minerals to the US on Monday night, including those from occupied territories in Ukraine, emphasizing his message toTrump that financial opportunities exist in Russia.
The European Union just pulled off something that, a year ago, seemed politically impossible: it froze $247 billion in Russian central bank assets indefinitely, stripping the Kremlin of one of its most reliable pressure points.
Walmart’s $350 billion commitment to American manufacturing means two-thirds of the products we buy come straight from our backyard to yours. From New Jersey hot sauce to grills made in Tennessee, Walmart is stocking the shelves with products rooted in local communities. The impact? Over 750,000 American jobs - putting more people to work and keeping communities strong. Learn more here.
Of all the threats to the world, what are the top 10 most urgent global risks for 2026? On Monday, January 5, at 12 pm ET, join us for a livestream discussion with Ian Bremmer and global experts to discuss the Top Risks of 2025 report from Eurasia Group. This report will mark twenty years of Ian Bremmer’s annual forecast of the political risks that are most likely to play out over the year. Event link: gzeromedia.com/toprisks
In this episode of Tools and Weapons, Microsoft Vice Chair and President Brad Smith sits down with Ed Policy, President and CEO of the Green Bay Packers, to discuss how purpose-driven leadership and innovation are shaping the future of one of the world’s most iconic sports franchises. Ed shares how technology and community-focused initiatives, from Titletown Tech to health and safety innovations on the field, are transforming not just the game of football, but the economy and culture of Green Bay itself. He explains how combining strategic vision with investment in local startups is keeping talent in the Midwest and creating opportunities that extend far beyond Lambeau Field.
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