Nov 14, 2026, 07:00 PM UTC

A two-day round of trilateral negotiations involving American, Ukrainian, and Russian delegates has concluded in Abu Dhabi. United States envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff are travelling to Moscow to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin before flying to Dublin for discussions with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

During the meetings, Russian officials presented demands echoing pre-2022 calls for NATO forces to withdraw to 1997 positions, while Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov rejected European proposals for an immediate ceasefire. Meanwhile, European officials and NATO representatives conducted parallel strategy meetings. Separately, Ukrainian and Belarusian hackers claimed to have breached Russia's stats agency, revealing data suggesting Russian military casualties have passed 410,000.

Sources: ANSA, Corriere della Sera, Il Messaggero, Il Sole 24 Ore, La Repubblica

Emergency management agencies in the Baltic region have lowered threat levels following overnight air raid alerts triggered by a Ukrainian drone strike on Russia's Kirishi oil refinery near St. Petersburg. The operation resulted in multiple explosions and a fire at the energy facility, alongside one reported civilian fatality from falling wreckage.

During the attack, at least four uncrewed aerial vehicles strayed into NATO airspace, prompting the military alliance to scramble fighter jets to monitor the situation. In response, Finnish authorities briefly restricted local maritime and aviation corridors. Officials confirmed that all stray drones subsequently departed allied airspace without inflicting structural damage, allowing regional civil defense networks and air traffic operations to return to normal conditions.

Sources: Delo, Siol.net

US President Donald Trump, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin are set to hold an unprecedented trilateral meeting on 19 November on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Shenzhen.

According to White House officials, the primary focus of the discussions will be global nuclear weapons reduction and the ongoing conflict in Iran. US officials clarified that the war in Ukraine will not be included on the agenda, noting that Washington addresses Ukraine through separate diplomatic channels without Beijing's involvement. Trump does not intend to hold an additional bilateral meeting with Putin.

Responding to the announcement, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned that the Shenzhen talks could turn into a Yalta-style "redistribution of spheres of influence."

Sources: France24, NEXTA, ORF, Tagesschau, The Journal

Preparations for France's 2027 presidential election are accelerating as key political figures outline competing strategies and policy platforms. Eight prospective candidates participated in public discussions focused on national security, education, and the future of public services.

Debates surrounding candidate selection and coalition dynamics continue to divide major political blocs. Bruno Retailleau of Les Républicains reiterated his demand for a right-wing primary regardless of whether former Prime Minister Édouard Philippe participates. On the left, negotiations between La France Insoumise and Les Écologistes indicate potential progress toward a legislative agreement. Meanwhile, Reconquête! leader Éric Zemmour formally entered the race, prompting public criticism from former Economy Minister Bruno Le Maire, who cautioned against premature campaign declarations.

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

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky revealed that American negotiators have suggested Ukraine could join NATO if Kiev agrees to cede the eastern Donbas region to Russia. Meanwhile, Moscow maintains its maximalist demands, conditioning peace not only on Ukrainian territorial concessions but also on the withdrawal of NATO forces from Eastern Europe.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has conditionally accepted European involvement in future peace talks alongside Kiev and Washington. However, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that Brussels must first demonstrate a constructive approach before joining an expanded negotiations framework. Moscow additionally warned that any European peacekeeping troops deployed to Ukraine following a potential settlement would be considered legitimate military targets.

Sources: El Mundo, La Vanguardia, Canarias7, Infodefensa