Oct 23, 2026, 11:30 AM UTC

US President Donald Trump has urged Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin to negotiate a settlement to end the war prior to winter. Following a meeting with Zelensky, Trump noted agreement on several issues but stressed that both leaders must reach a mutual accord. Trump also stated after a phone call with Putin that he believes the Russian president wants to conclude an agreement.

Zelensky described the discussion with Trump as positive, expressing optimism that hostilities could cease in the coming months. Both Washington and Kyiv signaled a shared intention to halt the conflict before the winter season begins.

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

Russian forces carried out fresh drone strikes against Kyiv, injuring a resident following Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's address at the United Nations General Assembly. During his speech, Zelensky described Russian President Vladimir Putin as "patient zero who wanted the war."

The strikes come as Russia's Defence Ministry formally announced a renewed campaign targeting Ukraine's energy grid ahead of winter. Simultaneously, Ukrainian drone raids on Russian oil infrastructure have damaged refining capacity, forcing Moscow to import fuel to meet domestic demand.

In Western Europe, security concerns mounted after German investigators identified two suspects connected to Moscow regarding explosive drone incidents in Leipzig. Reacting to the development, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen warned that "we do not tolerate attacks on EU soil, ready to respond."

Sources: Corriere della Sera, La Repubblica.

Iranian state media reported attacks on six vessels near the Strait of Hormuz, targeting three commercial tankers and three United States ships, alongside missile launches directed at American aircraft carriers. Firefighters managed to extinguish a blaze on one damaged commercial vessel following the strikes.

United States President Donald Trump minimized the severity of the incidents, stating that "Hormuz is open" and maintaining that Tehran remains under heavy pressure. However, intelligence reports from Washington indicate that commanders within the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps feel increasingly emboldened, escalating fears of broader military confrontation in the region. Tensions have mounted continuously in the strategic waterway following the collapse of a June ceasefire agreement after subsequent US air raids.

Sources: Corriere della Sera, La Repubblica.

Former Ukrainian Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov has called on parliament to draft legal frameworks for holding elections after martial law is lifted. Fedorov, who was ousted by President Volodymyr Zelensky in July, warned that failing to prepare beforehand could result in political instability.

Under current national law, holding elections during active martial law is prohibited. Supporters of early legal groundwork emphasize that post-conflict voting will require resolving major logistical challenges, such as facilitating votes for millions of displaced civilians, refugees abroad, and active frontline military personnel. Ukrainian officials have not yet announced a timeline for post-conflict elections.

Sources: Le Monde.

European Union member states have agreed to extend sanctions against nearly 3,000 Russian individuals and entities, avoiding an automatic expiration of the restrictions. To achieve the required unanimity, member states compromised by removing steel entrepreneur Alisher Usmanov and financier Mikhail Fridman from the ban list following requests from France, Slovakia, and Luxembourg. In parallel, EU foreign ministers gathered in Luxembourg to pass the European Union's largest sanctions package so far, aimed at squeezing Russia's war economy, energy sector, and financial infrastructure.

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