Nov 4, 2026, 12:00 AM UTC

U.S. President Donald Trump announced that Russia and Ukraine agreed to an energy truce halting strikes on energy infrastructure, claiming the war influenced rising diesel prices. However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky contradicted the claim, stating Kyiv only observed a three-day pause on targeting Russian oil refineries following a request from Washington. Zelensky declared "we are done" with restraint after Russian forces continued attacking Ukraine's power grid during the period, confirming Ukrainian strikes on Russian refineries would resume. Meanwhile, the European Union approved its largest sanctions package to date against Moscow, while the Kremlin turned down proposals for a temporary ceasefire and offered a counter-proposal.

Sources: HRT Vijesti, Index, Klix

Tensions across the Middle East remain high following claims by Iranian state media that Tehran launched missile strikes against six vessels near the Strait of Hormuz, including commercial tankers and a United States aircraft carrier. Washington officials dismissed the claims, with U.S. President Donald Trump maintaining that the strategic shipping lane remains operational and describing Tehran as being in "great difficulty."

Despite American assertions, U.S. intelligence reports indicate that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps perceives its operational position as strengthened, raising concerns over potential military escalation. The latest exchanges follow the breakdown of a 14-point truce memorandum established in June, which was compromised by renewed American strikes in early July. Emergency crews have reportedly contained a fire aboard a damaged tanker in the region.

Sources: Corriere della Sera, La Repubblica

U.S. President Donald Trump has urged Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin to negotiate a peace deal to end the conflict before winter. Following discussions with Zelensky and a phone call with Putin, Trump stated that the Russian leader expressed a desire to reach "an agreement" with Kyiv.

Zelensky described his talks with Trump as "positive and productive," affirming that both Washington and Kyiv aim to halt the war prior to the winter months. Ukrainian officials expressed optimism that diplomatic progress could bring an end to hostilities in the near future. Trump reiterated that a resolution remains achievable if both leaders commit to talks.

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

Fighting between Russian and Ukrainian forces continued across several regions despite claims by U.S. President Donald Trump that both nations agreed to refrain from targeting energy infrastructure. Shelling in Ukraine's Kherson region left two people dead and 14 injured, while drone strikes wounded seven individuals in Russia's Belgorod and Sochi regions.

In response to escalating hostilities, the European Union extended its sanctions regime against Russia. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas and French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot condemned a Russian attack on a train near the Ukrainian-Polish border, describing it as an attempt to divide European allies.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky issued an executive decree dismissing the nation's prosecutor general.

Sources: CDM (Cafe del Montenegro)

European Union member states have agreed to extend sanctions against nearly 3,000 individuals and entities linked to Russia's invasion of Ukraine following intense diplomatic negotiations.

To secure unanimous consent before the existing measures expired, member states resolved a standoff by agreeing to remove steel magnate Alisher Usmanov and banker Mikhail Fridman from the blacklist. The decision followed requests from several member states, including France, Slovakia, and Luxembourg, after initial disagreements threatened to let existing penalties lapse.

Alongside the extension, EU foreign ministers meeting in Luxembourg approved a record-sized package of new sanctions intended to further restrict Russia's war economy and support Ukraine.

Sources: Correctiv, Der Standard, FAZ, ORF, Tagesschau.