Oct 29, 2026, 12:00 AM UTC

U.S. President Donald Trump stated that Ukraine and Russia have agreed to refrain from targeting each other's energy infrastructure. The announcement coincided with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky issuing a decree to dismiss the country's prosecutor general.

On the ground, cross-border strikes persisted. Ukrainian officials reported two deaths and 14 injuries from Russian bombardments in the Kherson region. In Russia, drone attacks injured seven people in Sochi and the Belgorod region.

Meanwhile, the European Union extended its sanctions regime against Russia. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas and French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot condemned a recent Russian strike on a train near the Ukrainian-Polish border, warning that the attack was designed to intimidate Europeans and sow political division across the continent.

Sources: CDM (Cafe del Montenegro).

US President Donald Trump has expressed confidence that Russian President Vladimir Putin seeks a peace agreement with Ukraine, following recent diplomatic conversations with both leaders. Trump stated that he hopes both sides can reach a negotiated settlement to end the ongoing conflict before winter.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky characterized his meeting with Trump as "positive and productive," noting that both nations share the goal of stopping Russian aggression in the coming months. Zelensky added that he believes the end of the war could be near.

While Trump noted agreement with Zelensky on various topics, he emphasized the necessity for both Kyiv and Moscow to commit to discussions, stating, "I want him to reach a deal with Putin and for Putin to reach a deal with him."

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

Russian forces executed a new series of drone strikes targeting Kyiv, injuring at least one person shortly after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky addressed the UN General Assembly. The bombardment forms part of an escalated campaign by Moscow explicitly aimed at damaging Ukraine's energy network. Concurrently, Ukrainian long-range strikes against Russian oil facilities continue to disrupt domestic fuel supplies, prompting Moscow to procure fuel from foreign vendors.

In Europe, EU officials raised alarms over domestic security following the identification of two suspects linked to Moscow in connection with explosive drone incidents near Leipzig, Germany. Responding to the developments, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen declared that the bloc "will not tolerate attacks on EU soil" and stated that member states are preparing a unified stance against hostile actions within European borders.

Sources: Corriere della Sera, La Repubblica.

Former Ukrainian Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov has urged Kyiv to initiate technical and administrative preparations for future national elections, even as martial law currently bars voting during wartime.

Fedorov, who was dismissed by President Volodymyr Zelensky in July, stressed that early operational groundwork is essential to address major logistical hurdles before any eventual poll. Key challenges include enabling voting mechanisms for frontline military personnel, millions of internally displaced citizens, and overseas refugees.

While President Zelensky's administration maintains that holding elections remains unfeasible during active hostilities, Fedorov argued that advance preparations are necessary to safeguard democratic integrity and ensure operational readiness once security conditions allow.

Sources: Le Monde