Oct 31, 2026, 06:00 PM UTC

US President Donald Trump has urged Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin to negotiate a peace agreement before the onset of winter. Speaking after a bilateral meeting with Zelensky, Trump expressed confidence regarding diplomatic prospects following a recent telephone discussion with the Russian leader. "He wants a deal, and if Zelensky wants a deal, that would be great," Trump stated.

Zelensky characterized the dialogue with Trump as "positive and productive," emphasizing that both Ukraine and the United States aim to end the conflict in the coming months. The meeting reflects renewed diplomatic attempts to encourage both warring parties toward formal negotiations to halt hostilities.

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

U.S. President Donald Trump stated that Russia and Ukraine have informally agreed to halt attacks on each other's energy infrastructure. The announcement comes amidst ongoing strikes, with local officials reporting two deaths and 14 injuries from Russian shelling in Kherson, while seven individuals were injured by drone attacks in Sochi and Russia's Belgorod region.

In Kyiv, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky issued a decree removing the nation's prosecutor general from office. Meanwhile, the European Union officially extended its sanctions regime against Moscow. EU High Representative Kaja Kallas and French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot denounced a recent Russian attack on a train near the Polish border, framing it as an attempt to intimidate European nations.

Sources: CDM (Cafe del Montenegro).

U.S. President Donald Trump announced that Russia and Ukraine had agreed to an energy truce to halt attacks on power and fuel infrastructure, linking the deal to rising global diesel prices.

However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky disputed the announcement, confirming that Kyiv will continue targeting Russian oil refineries. Zelensky stated that Ukraine had briefly paused strikes for three days at Washington's request, but declared "we are done" after Russian attacks on Ukrainian energy facilities persisted. He added that Kyiv would only adhere to a truce if Moscow strictly complies.

Meanwhile, the European Union imposed fresh sanctions against Russia, and the Kremlin rejected proposals for a broader temporary cease-fire.

Sources: HRT Vijesti, Index, Klix

Tehran has claimed responsibility for targeting six vessels near the Strait of Hormuz, including three commercial oil tankers and three United States naval craft, alongside launching missiles toward an American aircraft carrier. Iranian state television framed the strikes as retaliatory measures following US military raids.

A fire aboard one targeted tanker was brought under control. The maritime actions follow the breakdown of a 14-point diplomatic agreement reached in June, which unraveled after US strikes in July.

While US President Donald Trump downplayed the escalations, stating that the waterway remains open and asserting that Iran faces major difficulty, Washington intelligence assessments offer a contrasting warning. Intelligence officials cautioned that Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps feels emboldened and could further intensify operations in the region.

Sources: Corriere della Sera, La Repubblica.

Former Ukrainian Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov has called on officials in Kyiv to begin operational preparations for national elections once current hostilities conclude. Fedorov, who was dismissed by President Volodymyr Zelensky in July, noted that organizing democratic voting for millions of internally displaced Ukrainians, overseas refugees, and frontline military personnel will require significant lead time.

Ukrainian law prohibits holding elections while martial law remains active, and the presidential administration continues to prioritize national defense. However, discussions surrounding post-conflict democratic governance are growing among political figures. Fedorov argued that establishing administrative and logistical frameworks early is essential to ensuring a smooth return to democratic processes as soon as security conditions allow and martial law is lifted.

Sources: Le Monde.