Oct 26, 2026, 01:30 AM UTC

US President Donald Trump has urged Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin to reach a peace agreement before winter following bilateral talks in Washington.

Speaking after the meeting, Zelensky described the discussions as "positive and productive," stating that both Washington and Kyiv aim to end the conflict in the coming months. Trump expressed optimism regarding potential negotiations, adding that a recent phone conversation with Putin led him to believe Moscow seeks a resolution.

"I agree with Zelensky on many different issues, but you know what I want him to do? I want him to reach a deal," Trump stated, emphasizing that progress depends on mutual willingness to compromise.

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

Russian military authorities have conducted logistical readiness exercises to evaluate housing, equipment distribution, and administrative infrastructure for a potential new mobilization wave. While Moscow has not officially decreed a draft, intelligence assessments indicate any decision is likely deferred until after the September parliamentary elections.

The preparations follow escalating recruitment expenses for volunteer contract soldiers alongside ongoing manpower deficits on the front line. Analysts suggest an expanded call-up could provide the force capacity required for prospective offensives targeting strategic eastern Ukrainian positions, including Sloviansk and Kramatorsk. Meanwhile, Western officials increasingly project that intensive military operations may persist through 2027 as both sides prepare for prolonged confrontation.

Sources: Belsat, NEXTA, The Insider.

Ukrainian forces are advancing along the right bank of the Oskil River north of Kupiansk, with officials expected to confirm the control of up to 200 square kilometers near Lyman. Meanwhile, Russian overnight air strikes targeted the Kyiv region, causing damage to ammunition storage facilities.

In contrast, the Russian Ministry of Defence reported that its forces captured several settlements on the approaches to Sumy. On the southern Zaporizhzhia front, Russian Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov publicly denied claims of Ukrainian military breakthroughs, maintaining that defensive lines across the sector remain intact.

Sources: The Insider.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has formally rejected a US-backed 15-point peace proposal for Gaza, insisting that Israeli forces will not withdraw until Hamas is disarmed. Speaking during televised cabinet remarks, Netanyahu stated that "Israel rejects the 15-point document" previously accepted by Hamas. He emphasized that the military "will not carry out any withdrawal until Hamas is genuinely disarmed" and pledged to continue countering threats against Israeli troops.

The rejection comes despite a recent reduction in Israeli military operations following pressure from US President Donald Trump, who had promoted the framework. Netanyahu's stance reflects heightened domestic political pressures ahead of Israel's general election scheduled for 27 October, as the prime minister balances relations with Washington alongside demands from far-right coalition partners.

Sources: Cyprus Mail, France24, STV News, The Guardian, The Herald.

Nations and international organizations are seeking to establish guidelines for artificial intelligence in warfare alongside accelerating military adoption. In Geneva, 128 countries reached a consensus on defining autonomous weapons systems following warnings from the United Nations and the International Committee of the Red Cross against crossing "a moral red line" by enabling machines to independently target humans.

Simultaneously, Western armed forces are broadening their deployment of AI technologies. Germany’s Ministry of Defence noted that semi-autonomous systems may operate independently under specific circumstances, while stressing that "the decision on the use of military force remains with humans." Germany also rejected US software provider Palantir to construct its own proprietary data analytics platform. In parallel, Ukraine and NATO have jointly created two AI tools designed to predict enemy drone trajectories and assist artillery targeting operations.

Sources: Correctiv, Der Spiegel, Der Standard, Die Zeit, Hartpunkt