Nov 15, 2026, 08:00 AM UTC

Following the conclusion of two-day trilateral talks in Abu Dhabi, American envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff travelled to Moscow for negotiations with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The US mediators are subsequently expected to fly to Dublin to brief Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who noted a potential diplomatic window of opportunity before the year ends.

During the summits, Russian officials reportedly reintroduced demands regarding NATO force positioning, while Italian diplomatic sources emphasized that European nations must remain directly involved in the peace process to avoid fragmented negotiating formats. In parallel with the diplomatic talks, leaked statistics from Russia's national agency Rosstat—obtained by Ukrainian and Belarusian hackers—suggest Russian military fatalities in Ukraine have reached 412,576.

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

US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have intensified their rhetoric regarding Iran, signaling a potential shift away from recent diplomatic efforts. Trump stated he would not hesitate to resume military strikes against Tehran if deemed necessary, while simultaneously directing Vice President JD Vance to reassign his focus from Iranian negotiations to domestic issues. Despite this move, Trump maintained that indirect dialogue between the nations continues.

In Israel, Netanyahu reiterated calls for a national unity government under his leadership, framing it as vital to national security and necessary to decisively conclude the conflict with Tehran. The heightened tone follows months of regional turmoil, including mutual strikes, ceasefire breaches, and ongoing disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz.

Sources: ANSA, Corriere della Sera, La Repubblica

Developments along the battlefield show changing tactics and persistent violence amid stalled diplomatic efforts. Russian forces faced an unprecedented 12-day silence in official announcements regarding newly captured settlements, ending with questionable claims of taking Vasylkove in the Zaporizhzhia region. Concurrently, Russian strike strategies have concentrated on targeting bridges along the Dnipro River to cut off Ukrainian logisitics and divide defensive lines.

Behind front lines, recruitment efforts inside Russia increasingly target female prisoners to address manpower shortages, exposing enlistees to harsh conditions on the front. Meanwhile, covert warfare persists inside Russian territory. A senior Russian army colonel died in St. Petersburg following a mysterious vehicle explosion, which local authorities are currently investigating as a targeted assassination.

Sources: Český rozhlas Plus, Deník N, Ekonomický deník, Respect, Seznam Zprávy

Preparations for France's 2027 presidential election are gathering momentum across the political spectrum as candidates outline their early campaign strategies.

During a public hearing on public services on November 12, eight declared candidates presented their visions, with Raphaël Glucksmann advocating for a comprehensive overhaul of the public education system. Left-wing parties, including La France Insoumise and Les Écologistes, are currently negotiating a potential governing alliance ahead of upcoming strategy decisions.

On the right, Les Républicains leader Bruno Retailleau reiterated his push for a conservative primary election, regardless of whether former Prime Minister Édouard Philippe decides to participate. Meanwhile, Reconquête! leader Éric Zemmour formally confirmed his candidacy during a television interview. Former Economy Minister Bruno Le Maire criticized the early flurry of declarations, remarking that candidates "are popping up like mushrooms," while keeping his own future political options open.

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

A Swedish court in Jönköping has sentenced a former nurse to five years in prison for the aggravated rape of an elderly patient receiving end-of-life care at Ryhov Hospital. The incident occurred in August when hospital staff discovered the man inside the terminal patient's room and contacted the police.

Following the confrontation, the nurse fled the premises in a vehicle and subsequently crashed into a concrete barrier at a nearby roundabout. In addition to the rape conviction, the Jönköping District Court found him guilty of gross recklessness in traffic. The court emphasized that the offense constituted an aggravated crime due to the extreme vulnerability of the victim in her final days.

Sources: 8 Sidor, Svenska Dagbladet