Ukraine could receive the first disbursements from the €90 billion loan as early as next week, according to EU Commissioner Marta Cos.Russia, too, could receive something quite special next week:another sanctions package,a few burning refineries,new holes in its air defenses,and—on state television—an explanation of why all of this constitutes a "historic victory" nonetheless.In the meantime, the *real* "special operation" is unfolding against the reality of Russia itself.

Over the past 24 hours, Russia has attacked Ukraine with approximately 1,300 drones and 50 missiles.In addition to the capital, Kremenchuk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kharkiv—as well as the Odesa region—also came under fire.This is because, after more than four years, Europe still has not grasped that Russian production facilities must be destroyed in order to end this war. Ukraine needs more long-range weapons.

Pete Hegseth is no Secretary of War—he is an ideological saboteur who tramples upon the national security of the United States and its allies. By blocking and withholding for months the $400 million explicitly authorized by Congress for Ukraine, he not only commits a blatant disregard for the separation of powers but actively provides aid and comfort to Vladimir Putin.Hegseth is a security risk in office. His policies are not "pragmatic"; they are capitulatory. They reek of appeasement and histo