Oct 25, 2026, 02:30 PM UTC

Chinese President Xi Jinping conducted a three-day state visit to the United States, marking his first state visit to the country in over a decade. US President Donald Trump extended a rare diplomatic gesture by personally greeting Xi at the aircraft upon his arrival.

During high-level meetings at the White House, the two leaders addressed key international security issues, including the war in Ukraine, tensions in the Middle East, and stability on the Korean Peninsula. The broad diplomatic agenda was confirmed by official statements following the discussions.

The talks coincided with calls from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for Washington to urge Beijing to leverage its influence over Moscow. Analysts highlighted that Beijing might seek trade concessions from Washington in exchange for modifying its strategic posture regarding Russia.

Sources: Liga net, NV, Radio Svoboda, Ukrainska Pravda

Ukrainian military personnel and commentators are advocating for structural reforms across the armed forces to address frontline supply chains, rotation schedules, and mobilization practices.

Speaking to Radio NV, drone unit commander Yuriy Butusov highlighted a persistent lack of institutional supply accountability, noting that officers are forced to resolve logistical needs independently. Meanwhile, frontline surgeon Bohdan Zhuravel warned Radio Svoboda that prolonged deployments without predictable rotations risk alienating troops and discouraging prospective recruits.

Additional attention has focused on administrative equity. An analysis by Ukrainska Pravda criticized the military awards system for disproportionately honoring command staff over frontline combatants. To enhance public trust in mobilization, serviceman Pavlo Kazarin proposed overhauling occupational deferments and military medical commissions.

Sources: Liga net, NV, Radio Svoboda, Ukrainska Pravda

Main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Özgür Özel has criticized the transfer of administrative control in Istanbul's Üsküdar district to the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP). Addressing supporters at a rally in Üsküdar and speaking during a televised interview, Özel condemned the municipal council proceedings that shifted executive power, characterizing the process as a disregard for democratic election results. He directly questioned President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's democratic credentials after opposition gains in the district were overturned.

Özel also addressed a recent meeting between Ankara Mayor Mansur Yavaş and Erdoğan. He clarified that the dialogue was a routine administrative effort required to ensure municipal services remain uninterrupted in the capital.

Sources: Bianet, Cumhuriyet

Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda has urged citizens not to fear heightened security measures along the border with Russia, describing early preparation as essential to preventing potential provocations. Speaking in an interview, Nausėda argued that "it is better to observe even excessive caution" than to react after an incident, defending the deployment of military personnel and defensive installations.

Nausėda acknowledged that Lithuania’s air defense capability "is not ideal" and cited delays in joint drone manufacturing projects with Ukraine. He also addressed internal tensions between the defense minister and the chief of defense, while expressing frustration over a controversy involving a Ministry of National Defence gathering, warning of lasting reputational damage.

Sources: 15min, LSM.

Ukraine's Prosecutor General Ruslan Kravchenko signed a notice of suspicion against Semen Kryvonos, director of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU), accusing him of document forgery and orchestrating a fake adoption to evade prosecution.

NABU and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office denied receiving any official notice, characterizing Kravchenko's claims as an effort to undermine ongoing investigations into a criminal network involving former lawmakers and senior officials in President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's office.

Following his announcement, Kravchenko reportedly departed the country in an official vehicle. In response, President Zelenskyy urged parliament to expedite Kravchenko's removal from office.

Sources: NEXTA, OCCRP, Radio Svoboda, The Insider, Ukrainska Pravda.