Sep 18, 2026, 06:00 PM UTC

US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner arrived in Kyiv and Moscow over the weekend to advance peace negotiations, following reports that Ukrainian forces were ordered to observe a four-day operational pause. US President Donald Trump announced that both nations agreed to halt attacks on energy infrastructure. However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky specified that Kyiv would only suspend strikes if Western partners guarantee that Moscow refrains from targeting energy facilities, supply routes, and civilian infrastructure.

Despite diplomatic efforts, cross-border shelling and drone attacks continued overnight. Russian strikes in Ukraine's Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions resulted in deaths and multiple injuries, while Ukrainian drone strikes wounded seven people in Russia's Sochi and Belgorod regions. Meanwhile, European officials condemned a Russian strike near the Polish border as an effort to intimidate Europe.

Sources: Beta, CDM, Index, N1, Vijesti

Danish intelligence authorities have warned that Russia is prepared to conduct sabotage against domestic industrial facilities, compounding concerns over heightened hybrid threats across Europe.

The warning follows the identification of two suspects linked to Moscow who are accused of placing explosive devices at Leipzig airport. Investigators noted that one suspect, a Belarusian national, obtained a Schengen visa through Italian channels without physically entering Italy.

Meanwhile, the Russian Ministry of Defence announced targeted strikes on Ukrainian energy infrastructure. In response to Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian oil refineries—which have disrupted domestic supplies and forced fuel imports—European leaders reasserted their defense posture. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said, "We will not tolerate attacks on EU soil, ready to respond."

Sources: Corriere della Sera, La Repubblica.

United States President Donald Trump has threatened additional military strikes against Iran following direct exchanges targeting Bandar Abbas and Sirik. Trump claimed Iranian leadership is "begging" for a diplomatic agreement with Washington following the operations.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian responded by stating that Tehran does not seek a broader conflict, while warning that his nation will "decisively respond to aggressors." Meanwhile, Iranian naval officials dismissed assertions of severe damage to their maritime capabilities, declaring their forces remain operational along the southern coast.

The strike marks the first direct military engagement between the two nations in a month, escalating regional tensions while both sides issue competing statements regarding potential future negotiations and military action.

Sources: CDM (Cafe del Montenegro).

Former Ukrainian Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov has called on parliament to begin preparing a legal foundation for post-war elections. Fedorov, who was removed from office by President Volodymyr Zelensky in July, argued that legislative steps are required now to guarantee a smooth democratic transition once martial law is eventually lifted.

Under the constitution of Ukraine, national votes cannot take place while martial law is enforced. The administration of Volodymyr Zelensky continues to emphasize that conducting elections during active conflict poses extreme safety risks and logistical barriers, especially regarding millions of displaced voters. However, Fedorov's public statements reflect a growing political debate in Kyiv over how the country will manage its democratic governance and constitutional obligations after the war ends.

Sources: Le Monde

Former Slovenian national team captain Aleš Čeh and forward Jan Mlakar have reflected on their respective careers and the state of domestic football. Čeh, who led Slovenia during its prominent era under manager Srečko Katanec, detailed his post-playing transition into coaching. After club spells with Olimpija, Grazer AK, and Maribor, he served as Katanec’s assistant coach for over a decade, spending seven years working in Asia.

Concurrently, 27-year-old forward Jan Mlakar discussed his third stint with Maribor. Despite his Ljubljana roots, Mlakar confirmed he was never close to joining hometown rivals Olimpija. Addressing the upcoming derby, Mlakar noted that while Olimpija faces a current crisis, derby matches remain unpredictable and their opponents "can only gain" from the fixture.

Sources: Delo, Siol.net