Morning Briefing: Dec. 2, 2026

ISTANBUL

Here’s a rundown of all the news you need to start your Tuesday, including an expected meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff in Moscow, the White House confirming a controversial second military strike on a drug boat in the Caribbean, and Germany and Poland deepening their defense ties.

• Putin to meet US envoy Witkoff on Tuesday: Kremlin

The Kremlin on Monday said that an expected meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff will take place in Moscow on Tuesday afternoon.

“Yes, indeed, a meeting with Witkoff is planned for tomorrow,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters in a press briefing, adding the talks would take place in the afternoon.

Peskov said that footage of the meeting in the Russian capital will be published, but neither confirmed nor denied whether a statement will be issued after the negotiations.

He further said that Putin will hold several non-public meetings on Monday in preparation for Tuesday's meeting, but gave no further details.

• White House confirms 2nd strike on alleged drug boat

The White House confirmed Monday a controversial second military strike on a drug boat in the Caribbean, but denied Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered the killing of survivors.

"President (Donald) Trump and Secretary Hegseth have made it clear that presidentially designated narco-terrorist groups are subject to lethal targeting in accordance with the laws of war," spokesperson Karoline Leavitt told reporters.

She said Hegseth authorized US Special Operations Command commander Adm. Frank Bradley to conduct these kinetic strikes on Sept. 2.

Leavitt said Bradley directed the second engagement, acting "well within his authority and the law" to ensure the threat was eliminated.

• Merz says Germany to deepen defense ties with Poland

Germany and Poland will deepen their defense ties amid growing threats to European security, Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced Monday.

At a joint news conference with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk in Berlin, Merz said the two governments agreed on a joint declaration that lays the groundwork for closer cooperation.

"We will deepen our security and defense cooperation and make it more systematic," Merz told reporters. He added that Germany and Poland have already taken steps following Russia's recent suspected violation of Polish airspace, with Germany deploying Eurofighter jets at a Polish airbase to enhance NATO air policing operations.

"We will be expanding our cooperation in the detection and neutralization of drones. Our land forces will cooperate more closely, including through increased joint exercises. We have also tasked our ministers with drafting a new agreement on defense policy. We intend to conclude this agreement in 2026."

NEWS IN BRIEF

• The UN on Monday called for full adherence to international law to guarantee the safety of international civil aviation following the US announcement that Venezuelan airspace would be "completely shut down."
• US President Donald Trump has invited Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to a meeting at the White House “in the near future,” the premier’s office said Monday evening.
• Türkiye's KIZILELMA, an unmanned fighter jet, scored a world-first in aviation history this weekend, the president said on Monday, arguing that the country is experiencing "this dynamism" across all fields.
• EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said Monday that the coming days could mark a "pivotal" moment for diplomatic efforts on Ukraine, following "difficult but productive" talks in the US on the potential peace agreement.
• The World Health Organization (WHO) chief on Monday announced the end of the most recent Ebola virus disease outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, calling it "good news."
• Belgium on Monday voiced "deep concern" over recurrent Israeli strikes and incursions in Syria, stressing that Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity must be respected.
• US President Donald Trump on Monday criticized election authorities in Honduras, warning of severe consequences if the country is “trying to change the results” of its Nov. 30 presidential election.
• US Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke Monday with German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul about ongoing diplomatic efforts aimed at ending the Russia-Ukraine war, the State Department said.
• US Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said Monday that she has recommended a full travel ban on multiple countries, describing the move as necessary to protect American citizens.
• Bangladesh has repatriated the remains of 18 Japanese soldiers buried during World War II in the Chattogram War Cemetery after more than 80 years.
• Three Palestinians were injured late Monday as Israeli fire trapped dozens of Palestinian families in the Al-Tuffah neighborhood in eastern Gaza City after the area was targeted with gunfire from drones and tanks in a new violation of a ceasefire.
• The Trump administration is concerned that Israel's repeated strikes inside Syria risk destabilizing the country and undermining hopes of an Israel-Syria security agreement, the Axios news site reported Monday.
• A high-level mediation delegation from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) met Monday with Guinea-Bissau’s transitional leaders in an attempt to discuss a peaceful end to the current political crisis in the wake of last week’s military coup in the country.
• A delegation from all 15 member states of the UN Security Council will visit Lebanon and Syria this week, Slovenia’s UN envoy Samuel Zbogar said Monday, as Ljubljana assumes the Council presidency.
• The Netherlands announced Monday a new €250 million (over $290 million) military support package for Ukraine, channeled through the Prioritized Ukraine Requirements List (PURL) to deliver weapons and equipment Kyiv urgently needs.
• At least 12 people died and 30 remain missing after a riverbank collapse caused two passenger transport boats to capsize in the Ucayali River in the Peruvian Amazon on Monday, authorities said.
• The Israeli Knesset’s Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee resumed discussions on a new military conscription bill on Monday, amid growing disputes within the ruling coalition.

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

• Türkiye's economy expands 3.7% year-on-year in Q3

The Turkish economy has grown by 3.7% year-on-year in the third quarter of this year, official data from the Turkish Statistical Institute (TurkStat) showed on Monday.

Gross domestic product (GDP) at current prices surged 41.6% to 17.42 trillion Turkish liras ($409.6 billion) in July-September.

In the second quarter of 2025, the Turkish economy expanded by 4.9% year-on-year, and by 2.5% in the first quarter.

• US to lower tariffs on some goods from South Korea

The US Department of Commerce announced Monday that a recent trade agreement with South Korea will result in the reduction of some tariffs on goods from the country while supplemental tariffs on certain products will be eliminated.

The country will also “un-stack” South Korea’s reciprocal rate to match Japan and the European Union, the department said on the US social media company X, citing Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick.