Oct 26, 2026, 07:30 AM UTC

US President Donald Trump has called on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin to negotiate a settlement to end the war before winter.

Following bilateral discussions in Washington, Zelensky characterized the meeting as "positive and productive," stating that both Washington and Kyiv share the goal of halting Russian aggression in the coming months.

Trump expressed confidence regarding a diplomatic resolution after a recent telephone conversation with Putin. Speaking to journalists, Trump stated that Putin "wants a deal and, if Zelensky wants a deal, it would be great." He added that both leaders must show mutual willingness to finalize an agreement.

While Kyiv maintains that any resolution must guarantee Ukraine's security and sovereignty, Trump stressed that both parties need to make concessions to conclude the conflict ahead of the winter season.

Sources: Expresso, Jornal Económico, RTP.

Ukrainian forces are reportedly advancing along the right bank of the Oskil River north of Kupiansk, with military officials expected to announce control over approximately 200 square kilometers near Lyman. Concurrently, overnight air strikes by Russian forces damaged ammunition storage facilities in the Kyiv region.

In contrast, the Russian Ministry of Defence claimed that its troops captured several settlements approaching Sumy. On the Zaporizhzhia front, Russian Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov publicly denied reports of Ukrainian breakthroughs, maintaining that defensive positions remain fully intact.

Sources: The Insider.

Reports indicate Russian military authorities have conducted logistical readiness exercises, including in the Kaliningrad region, to evaluate administrative and supply infrastructure for a potential new mobilization wave. Western intelligence assessments and analysts suggest Russian President Vladimir Putin may defer any formal call-up decision until after the State Duma elections in September.

The preparations come as high casualty rates and the escalating financial costs of contract recruitment strain Moscow's manpower reserves. Analysts note an expanded draft could support potential military offensives targeting strategic eastern Ukrainian positions, including Sloviansk and Kramatorsk. Western officials increasingly project that active military operations could persist through 2027.

Sources: Belsat, NEXTA, The Insider.

Ukrainian servicemen and commentators are highlighting structural challenges within the country's armed forces, ranging from frontline logistics to mobilization policy. Drone unit commander Yuriy Butusov noted a lack of institutional accountability regarding army supplies, leaving local commanders to independently address critical logistical needs. Meanwhile, frontline surgeon Bohdan Zhuravel warned that long deployments without rotations demoralize troops, leaving soldiers feeling alienated from civilian society.

Administrative issues have also faced criticism. An investigation by Ukrainska Pravda detailed inequities in the military awards system, where medals are frequently assigned to command staff before reaching combat personnel. To address mobilization fairness, serviceman Pavlo Kazarin advocated targeted reforms, particularly regarding occupational deferments and military medical commissions.

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

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has explicitly rejected a 15-point Gaza peace proposal backed by US President Donald Trump, marking a visible rift between the two allies. Speaking to his cabinet, Netanyahu stated that "Israel rejects the 15-point document" recently accepted by Hamas, insisting that Israeli forces "will not carry out any withdrawal until Hamas is genuinely disarmed."

The rejection comes despite the Israeli military scaling back strikes in Gaza following diplomatic pressure from Washington. The US administration had framed the proposal as a crucial step toward establishing long-term stability in the region. Netanyahu faces competing political pressures ahead of Israel's national election on 27 October, balancing demands from far-right coalition partners against ties with Washington.

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