It’s time to consult the crystal snow globe and try to peer ahead at what may be on the horizon for the new year. Without question, 2025 has been tumultuous but the year ahead holds cautious promise for finally solving some political crises, and some epic events may be coming. Ukraine Beleaguered Ukraine is in its fourth winter of war and despair, still holding the line against the Russia invasion. Tough European rhetoric alone will not stop Vladimir Putin. A militarily strengthened and politically unified NATO will, however, through a steady stream of lethal weapons to Kyiv. Equally, the European Union has loaned $106 billion to Ukraine. Peace efforts by the United States and Europe have not always converged, but the central theme of maintaining Ukraine’s sovereignty and independence remains a political and strategic imperative. The question is at what cost and risk? Following U.S. President Donald Trump’s latest meeting with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Florida to revive momentum in the peace process, Trump said talks were moving the right direction and they were "getting a