Welcome to The Hill's Defense & NatSec newsletter{beacon} Defense &National Security Defense &National Security   The Big Story  Ukraine’s future uncertain after Trump winPresident-elect Trump’s stunning political comeback and victory over Vice President Harris has sparked unease over Ukraine’s future.© APTrump's win has created questions over how the incoming Republican administration will handle Ukraine's war against Russia.   Trump has pledged to end the war in Ukraine before his inauguration on Jan. 20, but he has offered few details about how that would be accomplished, leading to fears that he would cede territory seized by Russia in the nearly three-year war.   And there are mounting concerns about Trump’s affinity for Russian President Vladimir Putin, who he called a “genius” after he invaded Ukraine in 2022 and reportedly called seven times since leaving office in January 2021.   Yuriy Boyechko, the CEO and founder of the charity organization Hope for Ukraine, said he was “dumbfounded” by Trump’s victory and unsure of what to expect from his administration.   “A lot of people have fear,” said Boyechko, a Ukrainian who lives in the U.S. but still has family and friends in the country. “The worst thing in life is unknowing, when you don’t know what to expect — that’s what they have to live through right now and that’s the worst thing.”   Boyechko, whose charity group helps feed and support Ukrainian families in need, called for Trump to release “actual policy” on how he will secure the country.   In Kyiv, officials were not publicly expressing any immediate concerns.   Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky posted a congratulatory message on the social platform X shortly after Trump won, saying he appreciated Trump’s promise of peace through strength and that he looks “forward to an era of a strong United States of America under President Trump’s decisive leadership.”   Zelensky also referenced a September meeting he held with Trump in New York, calling it “great.” Trump, in his public remarks at the time, promised to quickly resolve the war and touted his relations with both Zelensky and Putin.   A source in Ukraine who spoke under condition of anonymity to discuss the September meeting said Trump asked genuine questions about the war and Zelensky’s victory plan, which includes a path to beating Russia by inviting Kyiv into NATO, lifting U.S. weapons restrictions and providing the nation with a nonnuclear strategic deterrent capability.   Welcome to The Hill’s Defense & National Security newsletter, I'm Ellen Mitchell — your guide to the latest developments at the Pentagon, on Capitol Hill and beyond.  Did someone forward you this newsletter? Subscribe here.   Essential Reads  How policy will affect defense and national security now and inthe future:  Zelensky congratulates Trump, noting commitment to ‘peace through strength’ approachUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky offered former President Trump his congratulations Wednesday, after Trump was projected to win the 2024 presidential election. “Congratulations to @realDonaldTrump on his impressive election victory! I recall our great meeting with President Trump back in September, when we discussed in detail the Ukraine-U.S. strategic partnership, the Victory Plan, and ways to put an end to Russian aggression …  Full Story   Navy fires head of Leadership and Ethics Command San DiegoThe head of the Navy’s Leadership and Ethics Command (NLEC) San Diego was fired Wednesday over a “loss of confidence” in his ability to command, according to a service statement. Capt. Lester Brown Jr. was relieved of his duties and has been reassigned to Naval Surface Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet, the Navy said, offering no other details behind the dismissal. Capt. Richard Zeber, of Naval Leadership and Ethics Center Newport, …  Full Story  Abandon Harris campaign: ‘A Trump presidency didn’t have to be inevitable’The “Abandon Harris” campaign argued Wednesday that former President Trump’s electoral victory “didn’t have to be inevitable.” “The truth is, a Trump presidency didn’t have to be inevitable. Democrats had every opportunity to win this election with ease,” the group, which urged voters to protest Vice President Harris due to the war in Gaza, said in a new release. “But instead, they chose to betray their …  Full Story   On Our Radar  Upcoming things we're watching on our beat:  Marines with Marine Rotational Force–Southeast Asia today began Keris Marine Exercise 2024 alongside some forces from Korps Marinir Republik Indonesia in Batam. The military exercise will run through Nov. 19. National Guard Bureau will hold a senior enlisted advisor change of responsibility Ceremony on Friday at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, Va., where Senior Enlisted Advisor Tony Whitehead will retire and pass the role to Army Command Sgt. Maj. John Raines.  In Other News  Branch out with a different read from The Hill:Election Day bomb threats disrupt voting in multiple states The U.S. saw a rash of discredited bomb threats called in at polling places in multiple states on Election Day, in some cases spurring the need for extended voting hours.  Faulty bomb threats were called into at least five states, something the FBI later attributed to Russian accounts. … Full Story   On Tap Tomorrow  Events in and around the defense world:  The U.S. Institute of Peace will hold a discussion on “First in War, First in Peace: Building Post-Conflict Stability and Democracy,” focusing on the example of George Washington and the role of military veterans in securing stability and democracy,” at 10 a.m. The Wilson Center and the Smithsonian Institution Cultural Rescue Initiative will host a talk on “Safeguarding Ukraine’s Cultural Heritage from Russia’s War,” at 10 a.m.  The German Marshall Fund of the U.S. will have an online conversation on “The U.S. Election: Implications for the U.S., the EU, and Global Politics,” at 10:30 a.m.  The Center for Strategic and International Studies will discuss “Funding Allied Innovation: Ensuring Advanced Capabilities for the Future Warfighter,” at 1 p.m.   What We're Reading  News we've flagged from other outlets: Trump won. Here's what that could mean for the military. (Military.com) Trump promises to bring lasting peace to a tumultuous Middle East. But fixing it won’t be easy (The Associated Press)  Trending Today  Two key stories on The Hill right now: America will regret its decision to reelect Donald Trump  Our democratic institutions are not ready for what comes next. Neither are the American people.   Read more 5 takeaways as Trump wins White House for a second time Former President Trump completed an extraordinary comeback early Wednesday morning, becoming the first president to win nonconsecutive terms in more … Read more  You're all caught up. See you tomorrow!  Close Thank you for signing up! Subscribe to more newsletters here The latest in politics and policy. Direct to your inbox. Sign up for the Defense and National Security newsletter Subscribe