Oct 13, 2026, 07:00 PM UTC

U.S. President Donald Trump has encouraged Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin to reach a peace settlement before winter. Speaking after a telephone call with Putin, Trump stated his belief that Moscow seeks a resolution, noting that "if Zelensky wants an agreement, that would be great."

The comments followed a bilateral meeting between Trump and Zelensky in which the Ukrainian leader described the exchange as "positive and productive." Zelensky stated that both Washington and Kyiv share the goal of stopping Russian aggression in the coming months. Despite expressed optimism regarding a diplomatic solution, neither side has publicly outlined specific terms or formal mechanisms for potential peace negotiations.

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

As the war in Ukraine reached its 1,663rd day, US President Donald Trump stated that Moscow and Kyiv had agreed to halt attacks on energy infrastructure. Despite the announcement, active combat continued across several regions. Shelling in the Kherson area resulted in two deaths and 14 injuries, while Ukrainian drone strikes in Sochi and Belgorod injured seven people.

Concurrently, European Union leaders extended existing sanctions against Moscow. EU Foreign Policy Chief Kaja Kallas and French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot accused Russia of attempting to intimidate European nations following a strike on a train near the Ukrainian-Polish border. In Kyiv, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky issued a decree dismissing the nation's prosecutor general.

Sources: CDM.

German law enforcement agencies are tracking more than 100 suspected cases of foreign state-backed hybrid warfare, including drone overflights, infrastructure sabotage, and disinformation campaigns.

Investigations into a foiled August drone attack at Leipzig/Halle Airport targeting Ukrainian transport aircraft have linked a Russian military intelligence (GRU) operative as a primary logistician. Meanwhile, German police arrested four people at Poland's request in connection with an arson attack on a Starlink satellite station. Additionally, domestic intelligence officials have warned that foreign actors may have pre-positioned hidden weapon caches across Germany to support future operations aimed at destabilizing public order and societal cohesion.

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

Fierce fighting persists across the frontlines in Ukraine, with the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reporting over 250 daily combat engagements. Russian forces concentrated significant assault efforts on the Lyman and Kostiantynivka axes, launching dozens of attempts to breach Ukrainian defense positions, alongside heavy attacks in the Pokrovsk direction.

Tactical developments remain mixed across key sectors. Ukrainian troops made progress on the right bank of the Oskil River north of Kupyansk, while reports suggest potential Ukrainian gains near Lyman. Conversely, Russia's Ministry of Defense claimed its forces captured several settlements on the approaches to Sumy. In Zaporizhzhia, Russian Chief of General Staff Valery Gerasimov explicitly refuted claims of Ukrainian advances. Furthermore, ammunition depots in the Kyiv region were targeted in strikes.

Sources: The Insider, Радіо Свобода, Українська правда

Portugal's parliament has defeated a censure motion introduced by the far-right Chega party against the country's minority coalition government. The initiative targeted controversies surrounding the internal administration minister.

The motion failed as expected after the main opposition Socialist Party (PS) chose to abstain. During closing arguments, Cabinet representatives condemned Chega for advancing a measure destined for defeat while criticizing PS for failing to vote against it. Minister of the Presidency António Leitão Amaro remarked that the public would form a "political judgment" regarding Chega's strategy. Despite the heightened friction, government officials reiterated that the executive will continue negotiating legislation on a case-by-case basis without establishing a "preferred partner" in parliament.

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