Nov 13, 2026, 09:30 AM UTC

Trilateral negotiations between Ukraine, Russia, and the United States in Abu Dhabi ended without a breakthrough, as Moscow reiterated its unyielding territorial demands. Following the talks, Russian negotiator Vladimir Medinsky asserted that "every inch of Russian land will be recovered, one way or another," while dismissing European media coverage of the conflict.

During the discussions, which covered potential ceasefire frameworks and security guarantees, Moscow also floated proposals for bilateral non-aggression pacts with select NATO members.

Meanwhile, military action persisted across Ukraine. Russian air strikes targeted energy infrastructure overnight, disrupting electricity for hundreds of thousands of residents in the Kharkiv and Dnipropetrovsk regions ahead of the winter season.

Sources: Adevărul, HotNews, Moldova1, TV8, Ziarul de Gardă.

Negotiators from nearly 200 nations have convened in Antalya for the COP31 UN climate conference, running from 9 to 20 November. Australia and Turkey proposed a global target requiring electricity to comprise 35 percent of final energy consumption by 2035. The plan earned German support as Middle East instability renewed focus on fossil fuel vulnerabilities.

However, climate activist Greta Thunberg sharply criticized the proceedings, warning that "nobody is coming to save us" and asserting that political leaders are failing vulnerable communities.

Several leaders missed the talks due to domestic crises. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz skipped the event to address surging antisemitism at home, describing the defense of Jewish institutions as a historical test. Meanwhile, Romanian Energy Minister Dumitru Chisăliță announced prospective winter relief packages for citizens and businesses facing elevated energy costs.

Sources: Adevărul, Digi24, Economedia, HotNews, Ziarul de Gardă

A wave of Ukrainian drone attacks targeted several Russian regions overnight, causing casualties and damage to industrial and residential infrastructure. In Leningrad Oblast, officials reported 150 intercepted drones, but falling debris ignited a fire at the Ust-Luga port, injuring three workers, while a civilian died in Vsevolozhsk after drone fragments struck a residential building. Industrial sites and residential properties in Novgorod and Smolensk oblasts were also hit, resulting in two deaths in Smolensk. Pro-war Russian channels reported the loss of three military aircraft during defence operations.

Concurrently, Russian forces struck targets in Ukraine, damaging critical infrastructure in Kryvyi Rih and triggering power outages. Frontline combat saw Ukrainian advances near Mala Tokmachka, while Russian troops made gains near Kostiantynivka and Pokrovsk.

Sources: Belsat, Mediazona, NEXTA, The Insider, Verstka.

The Bucharest Tribunal has ruled to replace the preventive police detention of former Romanian presidential candidate Călin Georgescu with house arrest. The decision follows a request by Georgescu for a lighter restrictive measure as he remains under investigation across five separate criminal files, including an alleged attempted coup d'état. Because the tribunal's ruling is not final or immediately enforceable, prosecutors retain the right to appeal the decision.

In a parallel anti-corruption operation, Romania's Directorate for Investigating Organized Crime and Terrorism (DIICOT) executed dozens of searches across multiple counties. The operation targets an alleged diesel tax evasion network involving senior public and corporate officials, including the head of Constanța Customs, executives from Oil Terminal, and employees of CEC Bank.

Sources: Economedia, G4Media, Ziarul de Gardă

Preparations for France's 2027 presidential election have gathered momentum following a major broadcast featuring eight prospective contenders focused on public services, including Gabriel Attal, Raphaël Glucksmann, and Jean-Luc Mélenchon.

On the right, Les Républicains' Bruno Retailleau urged a joint primary, arguing it should proceed even if former Prime Minister Édouard Philippe declines to participate. Reconquête! leader Éric Zemmour formally confirmed his candidacy on national television before meeting with right-wing digital influencers. Meanwhile, former Economy Minister Bruno Le Maire criticized the early proliferation of candidates, remarking that contenders "poussent comme des champignons," while keeping his own future options open.

On the left, La France Insoumise and Les Écologistes continue discussions regarding a potential governing alliance ahead of an upcoming Green party vote on election strategy.

Sources: La Tribune, Le Figaro, Le Monde, Le Soir, Libération.