Terry Virts

President Trump today advanced an important discussion with several European leaders about the need for a broader European security architecture that can help establish the conditions for lasting peace. Building on his leadership and the substantive work undertaken this week in Brussels with Ukraine, NATO, and our European partners, @SEPeaceMissions and I wanted to share some of the objectives guiding our ongoing discussions. For more than 30 years, Europe and Russia have struggled to establish a sustainable security framework. Decades of mistrust, competing security concerns, and the devastating consequences of this war make this an extraordinarily difficult challenge, but one that is essential to lasting peace. Our objective is to develop practical arrangements that address the security concerns of all sides, reduce the risk of future conflict, and create a more stable and predictable security environment. We are exploring five principal goals: permanent security consultations, reliable crisis communications, greater military transparency, reciprocal measures to reduce escalation risks, and an enduring framework for long-term European security and stability. Any arrangements must fully respect the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and independent decision-making of every nation. Each country will retain authority over its own security and alliances, and no country would have a veto over another’s sovereign choices. NATO will remain central to European collective defense, and this initiative would build upon existing institutions and commitments. We will continue consultations through the Shell Bay format with Ukraine, NATO, the EU, and our European partners, expanding engagement to ensure that all relevant perspectives and ideas are considered. We will also engage Russia as part of the peace negotiations. Next week in Abu Dhabi, the United States will convene the first trilateral peace discussions with Ukraine and Russia since February. All parties remain intensely engaged in preparing for substantive and productive negotiations. We will consult closely with our European partners on the sidelines and, if progress is made, aim to move toward a broader multilateral format with their direct participation. These ideas continue to evolve, and we welcome thoughtful input. Creating the right structure will be critical to ending this war and transitioning from conflict toward conditions that make possible a durable peace. This is difficult, detailed work. There are no easy solutions. But the opportunity to help end this devastating war and build a foundation for a more peaceful, secure, and prosperous Europe for generations to come makes it a challenge well worth undertaking. We will see how these discussions develop and continue working intensively with all parties toward President Trump’s objective of a comprehensive and lasting peace.

This morning, the Russians attacked Komyshuvakha with an FPV drone, where emergency rescue operations have been underway for seven days following an aerial bomb strike that killed 55 people. Unfortunately, more people may still be under the rubble. Absolute cynicism and brutality. There was also an overnight attack on the Dnipro region – the Russians struck energy infrastructure, leaving more than 600,000 people in Dnipro and the region without power. In the Kharkiv region, the situation is difficult too. There are widespread power outages across the country. In the Zhytomyr region alone, 140 apartment buildings were left without heating following a Russian strike. Repair work is underway in virtually every affected city and community. I thank the energy workers, utility workers, and every repair crew who are literally working 24/7 to restore water, electricity, and heating supplies to people. In total, this past week alone, Russia has launched 115 missiles of various types, nearly 1,900 guided aerial bombs, and more than 3,000 attack drones against our cities and communities. These are combined strikes involving many ballistic missiles. And a significant portion of the missiles were manufactured this year. We constantly provide our partners with information about Russian enterprises involved in ballistic missile production. In October, Ukraine imposed major sanctions packages on the individuals and legal entities involved. It is very important that they be synchronized across Europe and G7 jurisdictions. If the world does not have enough anti-ballistic capabilities to protect Ukrainian skies, then the missiles must be stopped on the production lines. We count on a strong 22nd EU sanctions package. Thank you to all partners who are truly helping.

The results of the midterms were catastrophic for Republicans. They lost almost everywhere, including places where defeat was once unimaginable, writes @KarlRove on.wsj.com/4ipkLno

omg. This montage from Jimmy Kimmel last night.

This is pretty crazy. Democrats won so big in Texas that CNN can’t fit it all on the screen.

For the record: we will NOT be putting pronouns in our bio or email signature.

BREAKING: Susie Wiles is out as White House chief of staff and will be replaced by Stephen Miller. nbcnews.com/politics/donald-…

Kirill Dimitrov, special envoy to Putin, in the White House: "Dear Melania, you have saved so many lives. As a token of appreciation, we would like to give you a small gift."

The Republican Party just imploded. Here’s why it happened and what happens next.

Melania Trump thanks Putin's envoy, who just gave her a gift, and then says, "my deepest appreciation to Ms. Anna Lantratova, commissioner for human rights in the Russia Federation. Your dedication brings hope and dignity to those devastated by war. Thank you."

Wow. This is amazing! The incoming House Oversight Committee chairman @RobertGarcia just outlined the four main investigations that Democrats will be opening when they take back the house in January. It’s about time!!