Ukraine war escalates as NATO braces for Trump-brokered deal: on Putin's terms?

With just two months until Donald Trump’s anticipated return to the White House, tensions are rising on multiple fronts. The Biden administration, in its final stretch, has eased restrictions on Atacms long-range missile use, approved the provision of landmines to Ukraine, and announced $4.7 billion in debt forgiveness for Kyiv. Meanwhile, Russia is ramping up nuclear threats. Although Washington has downplayed Ukrainian claims of Moscow’s first-ever use of intercontinental ballistic missiles, the U.S. was alarmed enough to briefly shut its embassy in Kyiv this week.  The unease extends beyond Ukraine. Suspicions of sabotage to critical data cables in the Baltic Sea coincide with Finland and Sweden distributing war preparedness guides to their citizens. Is this all spiraling out of control, or is it a calculated lead-up to hard bargaining? And if the U.S. steps back, is this the last opportunity to shape realities on the ground before borders are redrawn for good?