Oct 31, 2026, 07:30 PM UTC

US President Donald Trump has urged Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin to reach a peace agreement prior to winter. Following a bilateral meeting with Zelensky, Trump stated he was convinced Putin desires a settlement, adding, "He wants a deal, and if Zelensky wants a deal, that would be great."

Zelensky described the discussions as "positive and productive," noting that both nations seek an end to the conflict in the coming months. The talks follow a recent phone conversation between Trump and Putin, signaling renewed diplomatic efforts to halt hostilities in Ukraine.

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

U.S. President Donald Trump declared that Russia and Ukraine agreed to an immediate moratorium on targeting each other's energy infrastructure, attributing surging global fuel costs to the ongoing conflict. Trump urged both nations via social media to maintain the arrangement.

However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky challenged the announcement, asserting that Kyiv will persist in striking Russian oil refineries. Zelensky stated that Ukraine briefly halted attacks for three days following a request from Washington, but declared "we are done" after Russian strikes on Ukrainian energy facilities continued. He noted Kyiv would only observe an energy moratorium if Moscow strictly complies.

In parallel developments, the European Union rolled out expanded sanctions against Russia, while the Kremlin turned down proposals for a broader temporary cease-fire.

Sources: HRT Vijesti, Index, Klix

Russian forces initiated fresh drone attacks against Kyiv following Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's address to the UN General Assembly, in which he labeled Vladimir Putin "the zero patient who wanted the war". The strikes injured at least one civilian as Moscow announced a campaign targeting Ukraine's energy grid before winter. Simultaneously, Ukrainian drone strikes on Russian refineries have disrupted local fuel supplies, compelling Moscow to import petrol.

Concurrently, European security concerns escalated after German authorities identified two suspects with ties to Moscow over explosive drones discovered near infrastructure in Leipzig. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stated that the European Union "will not tolerate attacks on EU soil" and warned of potential countermeasures.

Sources: Corriere della Sera, La Repubblica.

Tehran has claimed responsibility for targeting six vessels near the Strait of Hormuz, including three commercial tankers and three United States naval craft, alongside firing missiles toward an American aircraft carrier. Iranian state media described the strikes as retaliation for military raids by Washington.

A fire on one affected tanker was successfully brought under control following the attacks. The maritime strikes follow the breakdown of a 14-point diplomatic agreement reached in June, which unraveled after American strikes in July.

While US President Donald Trump downplayed the situation, asserting that the waterway remains open and Iran is in "great difficulty," intelligence assessments from Washington offered a contrasting warning. Officials cautioned that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps feels emboldened and could further escalate regional hostilities.

Sources: Corriere della Sera, La Repubblica.

US federal prosecutors have unsealed charges against five alleged Russian intelligence operatives accused of directing a global sabotage and assassination plot targeting supporters of Ukraine across Europe and North America. According to the Department of Justice, the network recruited and paid operatives to surveil and carry out attacks against individuals and infrastructure aligned with Kyiv, including a June 2024 incident in Prague. All five suspects remain at large.

In a related development, Denmark's Security and Intelligence Service disclosed that Russian state actors carried out sabotage against Danish defense contractors supplying military equipment to Ukraine. Officials characterized these actions as a significant escalation in Moscow's hybrid warfare operations.

Sources: BBC News, France24, OCCRP, Sweden Herald, The Guardian.