Nov 15, 2026, 02:30 PM UTC

United States envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow following recent trilateral negotiations held in Abu Dhabi. After being greeted at Vnukovo airport by Russian official Kirill Dmitriyev, the envoys traveled to Dublin to brief Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on their discussions.

Following the meetings, Kushner stated that European nations must participate in upcoming diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict. Kushner indicated he believes Moscow is open to European involvement at the negotiation table. Zelenskyy similarly noted that a potential window of opportunity has opened to achieve progress in peace negotiations.

Sources: Der Spiegel, Der Standard, FAZ, ORF, Tagesschau

Following the conclusion of two-day trilateral talks in Abu Dhabi, American envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff are travelling to Moscow for negotiations with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The US mediators are subsequently scheduled to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Dublin. Zelensky suggested a diplomatic "window of opportunity" exists to achieve progress before the year ends.

During the negotiations, Russian officials reportedly revived demands regarding NATO force deployments, seeking a return to positions occupied in 1997. Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov stated Moscow would not accept European calls for an immediate ceasefire. Ukrainian negotiator Rustem Umerov held separate coordination meetings with European representatives, including the E4 group and NATO officials, as European leaders insisted on participating directly in any lasting peace framework.

In parallel, leaked statistics from Russia's Rosstat agency, allegedly obtained by Ukrainian and Belarusian hackers, indicate Russian military fatalities have reached 412,576.

Sources: ANSA, Corriere della Sera, Il Messaggero, La Repubblica

Preparations for the 2027 French presidential election continue to gather momentum across the political spectrum as key contenders refine their strategies. Eight prospective candidates presented their administrative priorities during a forum on public services, where Raphaël Glucksmann advocated for a comprehensive overhaul of state education.

On the left, La France Insoumise and Les Écologistes are discussing a potential majority agreement ahead of upcoming strategic decisions. Conservative leader Bruno Retailleau emphasized that a right-wing primary should proceed even if Édouard Philippe declines to join. Far-right leader Éric Zemmour formally confirmed his candidacy on television, while former Economy Minister Bruno Le Maire criticized the rapid wave of declarations, noting contenders "are popping up like mushrooms" while refusing to rule out his own bid.

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

Emergency management agencies across the Baltic region lowered threat levels after air raid alerts concluded following an overnight Ukrainian drone attack on Russia's Kirishi oil refinery near St. Petersburg. The strike on the facility ignited a fire and triggered multiple explosions, causing one civilian fatality from falling debris.

During the long-range operation, at least four uncrewed aerial vehicles entered NATO airspace, prompting the alliance to deploy fighter jets to monitor the situation. In response, Finnish authorities enacted temporary travel restrictions across local aviation and maritime sectors. All stray drones eventually vacated allied airspace without causing structural damage, enabling civil defense networks and regional transportation operations to return to normal activity.

Sources: Delo, Siol.net

Additional details have emerged regarding regional damage caused by Ukrainian drone attacks across Russian territory. In Novgorod Oblast, Governor Alexander Dronov described a overnight raid as massive, reporting damage to an industrial facility and two summer houses from falling debris, though no casualties were reported.

Combined with earlier reports, civilian fatalities have been documented in Smolensk Oblast, where two people died, as well as single fatalities in Leningrad Oblast's Vsevolozhsk and Rostov Oblast's Taganrog. Industrial and infrastructure targets hit during the strikes include electrical substations in Taganrog, the port of Ust-Luga, a petrochemical plant in Tatarstan, and industrial zones in Kirishi. Ukrainian authorities also reported blackouts in Kryvyi Rih and damage in Kyiv Oblast following retaliatory Russian drone and missile strikes.

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