Europe Picks Six-Nation Ukraine Team

European Union leaders wrapped up an informal summit in Dublin on Friday by announcing a collective negotiating team for Ukraine peace discussions — rejecting calls from Washington, Kyiv, and Moscow for a single European envoy in favor of a six-seat format that drew immediate skepticism from the Kremlin. Rather than naming one individual to represent the bloc, EU heads of state settled on an arrangement that pairs the bloc's main institutions with its most powerful member states. European Council President António Costa announced the agreement at a press conference following the summit in Dublin.

"The leaders agreed that our European team for the negotiations on peace in Ukraine are the EU institutions and the E5 — Germany, France, Italy, Poland, and the United Kingdom — of the Coalition of the Willing," Costa told reporters. "Europe must speak with a clear and united voice," he added. Under the arrangement, the European Commission and the European Council share a seat alongside the five E5 nations, bringing the total delegation to six. Costa defended the collective format as a reflection of Europe's strength in numbers, stressing that the team would operate in "close coordination and full unity" because achieving a durable peace is, in his words, "ultimately a team effort." The Coalition of the Willing framework will serve as the specific venue for discussions around security guarantees for Ukraine.

The Dublin announcement came directly on the heels of a fast-moving sequence of diplomatic events. Trilateral talks between Russia, Ukraine, and the United States — the first since February 2026 — concluded in Abu Dhabi on November 11 without a formal breakthrough, though both sides agreed in principle to a prisoner exchange. U.S. envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff then flew to Moscow the following day to brief Russian President Vladimir Putin on the outcome, before traveling to Dublin to consult with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. At a press briefing in Abu Dhabi, Kushner described the discussions as "tough and substantive," saying the American side saw "certain opportunities" ahead. Zelenskyy had made clear his desire for European governments to also have a formal role in the talks, arguing that unity and sustained pressure on Moscow were essential to any lasting settlement. The American envoys reportedly conveyed to European counterparts that the continent would be included in the next phase of negotiations — a signal that underpinned Friday's EU summit discussions.

Hours after Costa's announcement, the Kremlin moved to complicate the picture. Spokesman Dmitry Peskov reiterated that the Abu Dhabi process is designed as a trilateral framework involving Russia, Ukraine, and the United States, brokered by Washington. He acknowledged that the Americans and Ukrainians maintain separate lines of communication with European governments, but framed those channels as entirely distinct from the main negotiating track. Peskov went further, conditioning any direct European engagement on a demonstration of intent. "Once we understand their true intentions and their willingness to contribute to the peace process, then we can make a decision on holding negotiations in an expanded format," the Kremlin spokesman declared. He also set a threshold for direct dialogue with the bloc: Europe would need to present someone "authorized to speak" who "genuinely" had the will to engage.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz wasted little time pushing back against Moscow's latest round of skepticism. The Kremlin had suggested Europe was struggling to agree on who would represent it — a charge the chancellor rejected outright. It's the Kremlin's usual game," Merz said, characterizing Moscow's posture as a familiar diplomatic tactic. He asserted that a clear understanding with Washington on European participation had been established the previous Thursday — the same evening Kushner and Witkoff met Putin in Moscow — leaving little room for the ambiguity the Kremlin was attempting to introduce.

Merz also drew a firm line against one of Russia's stated conditions for broadening the talks. Moscow has signaled an interest in using any expanded negotiations to revisit the European security architecture — a scope that Merz flatly rejected. "Russia wants to talk about issues related to the European security architecture. We don't need to debate that — it already exists," he said. For Europe, participation in the Ukraine talks carries consequences well beyond diplomatic symbolism. The continent is expected to bear much of the burden of any postwar security arrangement for Ukraine — including the deployment of peacekeeping forces and the structure of long-term defense guarantees — making a seat at the table a practical necessity rather than a point of prestige.

The E5 format, centered on the five largest military and political actors in Europe, is designed to present a credible collective weight that neither Washington nor Moscow can easily dismiss as merely institutional. Whether Russia ultimately accepts that framework, however, remains an open question that the coming rounds of diplomatic maneuvering are likely to test.










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker

Trump Cancels Pay Hike for Head Start Teachers

The Trump (R) Administration on 11/13/2026 said it would Cancel a Rule Mandating Pay Increases for Teachers in Head Start, the Federally Funded Early Education Program, that Serves more than 700,000 of the Nation's Neediest Preschoolers every year.

The move will Uundo a Requirement that Large Head Start Pprograms gradually Increase Pay for Teachers, so they would reach Pparity with their Local Public Preschool Teachers. The Rule, created under President Joe Biden (D), also called for Expanding Employee Benefits and would have Cost around $2.1 billion Annually by 2031.

The Trump Administration Announced 11/14/2026 that it was Finalizing the Repeal of the Pay Hike Mandate. The New Rule will take effect in 1/2027. The Money saved could allow Head Start Programs to Serve more Children with the same Amount of Federal Funding, Trump's Administration said. The Administration has Pushed to Scrap many of Head Start's Quality Regulations, saying Programs can Enroll more Kids if they have more Flexibility on Spending.

“The Trump Administration is working hard to ensure that the promise of Head Start reaches as many children as possible with the funds Congress has appropriated,” said Alex J. Adams (R), an Assistant Secretary at Health and Human Services (HHS) who Oversees Head Start.

Advocates for Head Start Educators say Eliminating Pay Hikes could actually Hurt Enrollment. Some Programs have been Unable to Recruit enough Staff to Operate at Ccapacity and have had to Shut Classrooms and Preschool Centers. Teacher Turnover was particularly Aacute during the Pandemic. More than 20% of Head Start Teachers left in 2022, some Fleeing for Hhigher-Paying Jobs in Ppublic Schools or in other Sectors, such as Retail or Food Service.

A Majority of Head Start Teachers hold Bachelor’s Degrees. But according to Data Reported by Programs in 2026, Head Start Teachers with Master’s Degrees earned less than $60,000 a year on Average, while those with Only a bachelor’s Degree earned less than $50,000. Meanwhile, Public School teachers Earn an Average of $75,000 a year, according to the National Education Association (NEA) Union.

The Trump Administration “asks Head Start educators to keep doing more for less,” the National Association for the Education of Young Children said in a statement. If teachers move on to other jobs, kids cannot enroll, the group said. “A funded slot without a qualified teacher serves no one.”

The Change had also been Condemned by Congressional Democrats, who take Control of Congress in 2027. This P6/2026, they Authored a Letter urging the Trump Administration to Change Course and Leave the Biden Era Pay Requirements in Place.

Head Start was Started in the 1960s as an Antipoverty Initiative. It Targets Children in Low-Income Hhouseholds, plus those who are Homeless or in Ffoster Care, or have Disabilities. The Program, which Provides Training and Job Opportunities for Parents along with Education for Preschoolers, has long had Bipartisan Support.

But it has Faced Threats under the Trump Administration. A White House Budget Draft in 2025 Proposed Scrapping the Program Altogether. More recently, Adams Proposed Scrapping Many of Head Start's Regulations, which Form the Basis for Many of its Signature Offerings, such as Medical Screenings and Family Supports. His Proposal would also do Away with Federal Student-to-Teacher Ratios, Deferring to State Childcare Regulations, which tend to be Looser.










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker

Alaska Sticks with Ranked-Choice Voting Again

Alaska Voters Rejected a Ballot Measure backed by Trump (R) that would End Ranked-Choice voting in the Sstate. The Practice has long drawn the ire of Trump and His Party, with Complaints reaching a Fever Pitch, after a Man Sharing the Name of Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan, ran against Him in the November Midterms.

Saturday’s Results Mark the Second Consecutive General Election, in which Voters have stuck by the System. Republican Critics describe it as Unnecessarily Confusing. Trump has called it “disastrous, and very fraudulent.” Advocates, meanwhile, have cast it as a Fairer, Less Polarizing way to Capture the Will of the People.

After an October New York Times Report said the Campaign of Democratic Senate Candidate Mary Peltola had worked to Recruit the Second Dan Sullivan, Criticism of the System Intensified.

Trump has Railed against Ranked-Choice Voting, Arguing that Democrats took Advantage of it to Confuse Alaska Voters in last week’s Election, and Pointing Out that it pitted Three Republicans against One Democrat in the State’s Race for Governor. Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins, the Democratic Nominee, did Win the Election, Flipping the Seat from Red to Blue for the First time in Decades, with the Help of an Endorsement from Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski.

Ranked-Choice Voting, Trump Wrote on X 10/2026, “shouldn’t be allowed in our Country.”

“I just left Alaska where we have a real bad thing, they have the ranked-choice voting”, He said at a Rally later that Month, Ripping into the Alaska Senate Race. “You go into I guess some kind of a test tube or something and they pick whoever they want. That’s another disgrace”. It was Not Clear what He was Referring to.










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker

Russia Demands NATO Return to 1997 Borders and Stop Supporting Ukraine

Russia is once again demanding that NATO withdraw its troops to the positions the alliance held in 1997. This is part of its broader demands to overhaul the entire European security architecture, according to The New York Times. According to the outlet, during closed-door talks in Abu Dhabi this week, the Russians reiterated a position they had put forward in early 2022. The document, which was reviewed by the NYT and authenticated by two sources, is dated November 10 and outlines the Kremlin's conditions for the postwar order in Europe.

Among the key demands are that NATO abandon further expansion and halt all military activities in Ukraine, Eastern Europe, the South Caucasus, and Central Asia. In addition, Moscow is demanding the withdrawal of troops and the dismantling of military bases in countries that joined NATO after 1997. In other words, it wants NATO to reduce its presence in Poland and the Baltic states.

According to the NYT, the document shows that over the past five years, Russian President Vladimir Putin has only hardened his position on certain issues. In particular, in 2021, Moscow wanted NATO to abandon its nuclear-sharing arrangements, which have long allowed US allies in Europe to benefit from the protection of American nuclear weapons.

Now, an even tougher demand has emerged. According to the document, Russia also wants France and Britain to rule out the possibility of using their nuclear weapons to protect other European countries. Among the key demands are that NATO abandon further expansion and halt all military activities in Ukraine, Eastern Europe, the South Caucasus, and Central Asia. In addition, Moscow is demanding the withdrawal of troops and the dismantling of military bases in countries that joined NATO after 1997. In other words, it wants NATO to reduce its presence in Poland and the Baltic states.

According to the NYT, the document shows that over the past five years, Russian President Vladimir Putin has only hardened his position on certain issues. In particular, in 2021, Moscow wanted NATO to abandon its nuclear-sharing arrangements, which have long allowed US allies in Europe to benefit from the protection of American nuclear weapons. Now, an even tougher demand has emerged. According to the document, Russia also wants France and Britain to rule out the possibility of using their nuclear weapons to protect other European countries. According to the NYT, Russian negotiators made it clear that the Cold War model of dividing Europe into Soviet and US spheres of influence serves as an example of the future order, arguing that such an arrangement reduced the risk of conflict at the time.

Ending aid to Ukraine: Another provision in the document seeks to cut off aid to Ukraine. It calls for an end to the "supply of any type of Western weapons and military equipment and products to Ukraine." It also states that Russia would approve Ukraine's accession to the EU, but only if the country does not participate in the bloc's common defense policy. The NYT clarifies that the document represents the Kremlin's initial position. During the meeting in Abu Dhabi, the Russians indicated that Putin could still show flexibility and was open to making concessions.

Meanwhile, Trump's (R) envoys Steve Witkoff (R) and Jared Kushner (R) told the Russians that much had changed since December 2021, when Moscow demanded a new agreement that would put an end to most NATO military activities across much of Eastern and Central Europe. According to a US official, the US delegation urged the Russians to look to the future. Trump's envoys also remain open to new proposals from the Kremlin that would include concrete steps by Russia to reduce tensions.

Yesterday, the German outlet Bild also revealed a similar report, stating that Russia was demanding Finland's withdrawal from NATO and that the alliance refrain from establishing bases in the Baltic states as conditions for ending the war in Ukraine. However, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov denied the report and claimed that no such conditions had been put forward. A day earlier, he publicly indicated that Russia wants NATO to formally document its position on not expanding eastward.










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker

US Raised Ukraine Territory-for NATO Trade-Off

The U.S. has asked Ukraine whether it would withdraw troops from parts of the eastern Donbas region in exchange for NATO membership, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said, signaling a potential shift in Trump’s (R) previous opposition to Kyiv joining the Western military alliance. Zelenskyy told reporters Friday, that American negotiators raised the question for the first time, though he added that the discussions have not yielded a concrete proposal.

“The Americans asked: ‘If Ukraine joins NATO, will Ukraine withdraw from Donbas?’” Zelenskyy said in remarks released Saturday. The Ukrainian president stressed that any arrangement would not involve recognizing occupied territories as Russian, while also rejecting the possibility of Ukraine committing to neutrality, saying that would require changing the country’s constitution.

“If Putin expects Ukraine’s neutrality to be enshrined, that’s not going to happen,” he said. “We’re not in NATO right now anyway.” Russian President Vladimir Putin has long said NATO membership for Ukraine is a red line for his country, citing the issue as one reason for launching his invasion of Kyiv in February 2022.

Earlier this week, Russian, Ukrainian, and U.S. officials met in Abu Dhabi for their first trilateral negotiations in nine months. Meanwhile, European officials held separate talks with U.S. and Ukrainian counterparts there without engaging directly with Moscow. The inquiry involves land in the Donbas that Ukrainian forces still control and Russian troops have failed to capture. Agreeing to pull back would force Ukrainians to weigh ceding territory their military has fought to defend against the promise of alliance protection from future Russian aggression.

The reported question marks a notable departure from Trump’s earlier stance. In an August 2025 interview with Fox News, Trump ruled out Kyiv’s entry into the alliance, saying, “They’re not going to be a part of NATO.” At the time, he suggested European nations should take the lead in defending Ukraine and ruled out deploying U.S. troops to protect its borders. Secretary of State Marco Rubio (R) also downplayed the prospect of membership last month, citing the requirement for unanimous agreement among all NATO allies. “Right now, we’re simply focused, when it comes to Ukraine, on the ending of this conflict, if that’s possible,” Rubio said.

A joint statement on November 10 following talks among U.S., Ukrainian and European officials endorsed credible security guarantees for Kyiv and affirmed that “a strong NATO will remain central to Euro-Atlantic collective defence,” though it stopped short of backing Ukrainian membership. NATO maintains that Ukraine’s future lies within the alliance, provided members agree and Kyiv meets necessary conditions. Zelenskyy said Kyiv is discussing a broader framework that includes security guarantees from NATO and the European Union, weapons and funding for Ukraine’s military, and postwar reconstruction funds. Any formal proposal would have to be presented to the Ukrainian public, he said.

“If the American side confirms precisely this to us, together with other NATO partners, then I will ask our Ukrainian society what it thinks: do we accept it or not?” he said. “I have no right to make that decision on my own. But we need specifics, and we don’t have them yet.” He reiterated that Kyiv will not recognize Russian sovereignty over occupied territory, meaning a troop withdrawal would leave Ukraine’s claims to the land unresolved.

Zelenskyy also warned that Putin could use the negotiations to weaken NATO and redraw European borders, turning talks on ending the nearly five-year war into a wider bargain over continental security. “Putin’s desire to change borders in Europe is a fact. I am sure this is part of his concept of revising security guarantees in Europe,” he said. “This is dangerous because, in my view, it is precisely things like this that lead to wars or escalations.” Zelenskyy later added: “Real security in Europe means the EU and NATO. That’s it. There is no other security in Europe.” Addressing European leaders in Dublin on Thursday, Zelenskyy urged the bloc to secure a permanent role in the negotiations, characterizing U.S.-Russian discussions as “more about some kind of new security framework between Europe and Russia.” Washington has acknowledged the talks carry wider implications. Jared Kushner, Trump’s envoy and son-in-law, said European participation would allow negotiators to address “broader postwar European security arrangements alongside the territorial issues between Ukraine and Russia.”

Zelenskyy’s remarks followed an agreement by EU leaders on Friday that Britain, France, Germany, Italy and Poland — known as the E5 — will represent Europe alongside EU institutions at the next round of peace talks, European Council President António Costa announced. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen urged allies on Friday to sustain pressure on the Kremlin.

“The best way to get Russia to the table is to keep up our support for Ukraine and to keep maximum pressure on Russia,” she said. The European Commission is preparing its 22nd package of sanctions against Russia and a financing proposal for Ukraine ahead of a November 26–27 European Council summit.










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker

Putin Dealt Deadly Fireball Humiliation

Ukraine’s Military battered a Russian Oil Refinery in an Overnight Drone Strike, Humiliating Russian President Vladimir Putin, as He Battles a Deepening Fuel Crisis. Fire engulfed the Lukoil-owned Volgograd Oil Refinery following the Overnight Attack. Regional Gov. Andrei Bocharov said that Four Employees in the City’s Southern Industrial Zone were Killed and Two Others were Injured.

The Refinery is among Russia’s 10 Largest, with Capacity to process around 14 million tons of Crude Oil a year, roughly 5% of the Country’s Total Refining Capacity. The Attack came hours after U.S. Envoys Jared Kushner (R) and Steve Witkoff (R) landed in Moscow on 11/12/2026 for Fresh Talks with Putin, as Trump seeks to put an End to the Conflict that began nearly Five years ago.

It also follows Questions from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to the Trump (R) Administration about Crippling Disruptions to a Military version of Elon Musk’s Starlink Satellite Network that Kyiv’s Military uses to Intercept Drones from Russia. Zelenskyy has Reported “significant disruptions” to Starshield’s Operations over the past several days. The Disruptions have Severely Hampered Ukraine’s Ability to Repel Russian Forces and Drone Attacks.

Speed Limits were previously Imposed on Starshield Terminals in 10/2026, amid Allegations that Musk personally Ordered the Restrictions. Bocharov said Falling Drone Debris caused the Blaze. “As a result of the drone debris falling, localized fires were recorded at a plant in Volgograd’s Southern Industrial zone, as well as in the adjacent area,” Bocharov said in a Telegram Statement.

The Attack delivers another Blow to Putin as Kyiv Ramps-Up its Attacks on Russia’s Crucial Energy Infrastructure, more than Four Years into the War. Ukraine’s Relentless Campaign has Strained Russia’s Ability to Produce enough Fuel to meet Ddomestic Demand despite the Country being One of the World’s Biggest Oil Producers. Wholesale Fuel Prices have Risen, Authorities have introduced Rationing in some Regions, and Social-Media Footage has shown Motorists Llining up for Fuel.

Oil Exports and Russia’s Broader Energy Industry Acount for roughly 30% of Government Budget Revenues and Remain Critical to Financing Moscow’s War effort. Videos shared by Astra showed Drivers Lining Up to Refuel Early on 11/11/2026 Morning.

The latest Attack comes as Ukraine has Struck Nine of Russia’s 35 Major Refineries since Late 10/2026. Industry Sources told Reuters that Daily Crude Processing had Fallen roughly 30%, from approximately 700,000 tons at the End of 10/2026, to 500,000 by Mid-November.

Putin had already Threatened Retaliation after Earlier Ukrainian Attacks on Russia’s Eenergy Infrastructure. “They battered our people, and they will get a response,” Putin said in 9/2026, after Announcing that He had Instructed Russian Forces to Prepare Large-Scale Strikes Against Ukrainian Energy Facilities.










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker

Appeals Court Decides US Wrongly Withheld NY Highway Funds

The U.S. Transportation Department (DOT) Wrongly decided to Withhold nearly $74 Million in Highway Money from New York State, after it Refused to Revoke nearly 33,000 Questionable Commercial Driver’s Licenses for Immigrants, when an Audit revealed Problems last year, a Federal Appeals Court said 11/13/2026.

A Three-Judge Panel of the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan, concluded in a Written Decision that the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration of the DOT, Acted in a Manner that was “arbitrary, capricious, or contrary to law” when it Penalized New York.

The Appeals Court said the State can't be Faulted for Failing to Cancel Licenses, when a Commercial Driver Lost Legal Status to stay in the U.S. because Rules that would require a Cancellation were Not in Place at the time. The Driver's Licenses pertain to Commercial Vehicles such as Trucks, Trailers, Limousines, and Buses.

New York Attorney General Letitia James (D) Complained when the Lawsuit was Filed in 4/2026, that the Federal Government was Unfairly Holding back Money NY needs to Repair Roads and Bridges. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) in the Spring, called the Federal Cuts “devastating” and Characterized them as “Political Payback”.

The Transportation Department said in a Statement 11/13/2026, "that it makes no sense for states to let trucking licenses for foreign drivers stretch years beyond when they are legally in the U.S. We've put a stop to the madness to keep the driving public safe,” the Statement said.

The DOT began Enforcing Existing English Language Requirements for Truckers in the Summer of 2025. Concerns about Truck Driver Qualifications took on more Urgency after an 8/2025 Crash in Florida, when a Ttruck Driver was Accused of Performing an Illegal U-turn that Killed Three People. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy (R) said that Driver, who is from India, should never have been Licensed in the First Place.

Audits conducted in every State uncovered Numerous Non-Domiciled Commercial Ddriver’s Llicenses that remained Valid long after an Immigrant’s Wwork Permits had Expired or were Issued without Properly Vverifying Citizenship Status. Since then, about 26,000 Drivers have been Pulled Off the Road for Failing to Demonstrate English Proficiency, and the DOT said 30,000 Commercial Licenses were Canceled because they were Issued Illegally.

Immigrants Account for about 20% of All Truck Drivers while the Non-Domiciled Licenses Immigrants can receive, Represent about 5% of All Commercial Driver’s Licenses or about 200,000 Drivers. Immigrant Groups have said they Believe that many Drivers are being Unfairly Targeted. The Dispute came after Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy (R) Tightened Rules Governing when Immigrants can obtain a Commercial Driver's License.

Officials said they took Actions against States like New York, after Learning that some Licenses remained Valid Long Aafter an Immigrant was No Longer Authorized to be in the Country. New York issued Licenses Vvalid for Eeight years regardless of how Long a Driver’s Visa remained Valid, Authorities said.










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker