Ukraine’s continued focus on Kursk shows how important Kyiv believes it is to hold on to Russian land, especially if Trump pushes both sides to the negotiating table.

President-elect Trump said late Thursday that a meeting is in the works with Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss ending the Kremlin's invasion of Ukraine. Why it matters: Trump said on the campaign trail that he would swiftly end the nearly three-year-old war in Ukraine within 24 hours of taking office.

The United States has launched its most sweeping sanctions yet against Russia’s energy sector, targeting oil giants Gazprom Neft and Surgutneftegas, 183 fuel transport vessels, and 80+ individuals and entities tied to liquefied natural gas exports.