Oct 13, 2026, 01:00 AM UTC

The European Union has extended sanctions against Russia following a missile strike targeting a train near the Ukrainian-Polish border. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas and French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot condemned the attack, stating it was designed to intimidate European nations and sow division.

The diplomatic development coincides with assertions from US President Donald Trump that Moscow and Kyiv have reached a temporary agreement to halt strikes on energy infrastructure. Despite this claimed deal, ground hostilities remain intense. Local authorities reported two fatalities and 14 injuries from Russian shelling in Kherson, while Ukrainian drone attacks reportedly injured seven people in Sochi and Russia's Belgorod region. Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky signed a decree dismissing the country's prosecutor general.

Sources: CDM.

Former Slovenian national football team captain Aleš Čeh and striker Jan Mlakar have reflected on their careers and the current landscape of Slovenian football. Čeh, who captained Slovenia during their qualification for major tournaments under head coach Srečko Katanec, later served as Katanec’s assistant coach for more than a decade, including seven years working in Asia. Čeh expressed affection for his former clubs Olimpija Ljubljana and Grazer AK while noting respect for Maribor.

Meanwhile, 27-year-old Ljubljana native Jan Mlakar has returned to Maribor for a third spell. Despite his origins in the capital, Mlakar stated that he was "never close to signing" with rival club Olimpija Ljubljana. Mlakar voiced confidence in Maribor's direction and observed that derby matches provide struggling teams an opportunity to recover momentum.

Sources: Delo, Siol.net

U.S. President Donald Trump has expressed confidence that Russian President Vladimir Putin seeks a diplomatic resolution to the war in Ukraine, following a phone conversation between the two leaders. Trump urged both Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to negotiate a settlement before winter, stating that reaching a deal would be ideal.

Zelensky characterized his recent discussion with Trump as "positive and productive," noting on social media that both Washington and Kyiv share an interest in ending the conflict in the coming months. Although both sides conveyed optimism regarding diplomatic steps, neither leader outlined specific conditions or a concrete framework for potential peace negotiations.

Sources: Diário de Notícias (DN), Expresso, Jornal Económico, RTP (Rádio e Televisão de Portugal)

German security agencies are investigating more than 100 cases of suspected foreign-backed hybrid warfare, encompassing drone overflights, infrastructure sabotage, and cyber disinformation. Intelligence officials have warned that Russia is actively attempting to destabilize democratic society and undermine public support for Ukraine through covert operations.

Recent investigative developments into a foiled August drone attack targeting Ukrainian transport aircraft at Leipzig/Halle Airport have increasingly pointed to Russia's GRU military intelligence service, with investigators tracing logistical support directly to a GRU operative. Furthermore, domestic intelligence officials suspect foreign operatives may have established hidden weapons caches within Germany to facilitate future sabotage. Agency heads highlighted these evolving threats during a parliamentary hearing, while also cautioning against rising Chinese influence operations.

Sources: Correctiv, Der Standard, DW, FAZ, Tagesschau.

Former Ukrainian Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov has called on parliament to begin drafting a legal framework for future post-war elections. Fedorov, who was dismissed from his cabinet post by President Volodymyr Zelensky in July, stressed that preliminary administrative steps are crucial to manage complex logistics once fighting stops.

Although national elections remain legally suspended under ongoing martial law, advocates for early legislative preparations argue that establishing rules now will protect the voting rights of millions of displaced Ukrainians and frontline troops. Lawmakers initiating these preparations aim to ensure a transparent democratic process whenever security conditions allow voting to take place.

Sources: Le Monde