Donald Trump is hosting Volodymyr Zelensky in Washington to discuss the future of the war in Ukraine today, a day after the US president announced a new summit with Vladimir Putin in Budapest.
The US president will begin a flurry of diplomatic activity on Friday aimed at ending Russia’s invasion, a week after he helped strike a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
In a post on X, Zelensky said he would meet with representatives of defence and energy companies ahead of his meeting with Trump in the Oval Office.
“We expect that the momentum of curbing terror and war that succeeded in the Middle East will help to end Russia’s war against Ukraine,” the Ukrainian president said.
The US president held a two-hour phone call with Putin on Thursday, during which the Russian president congratulated him on the “Great Accomplishment of Peace in the Middle East”.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump said that Secretary of State Marco Rubio would meet with Russian officials next week, followed by a summit between himself and Putin in Budapest on an unspecified date.
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Key Points
- Zelensky arrives in Washington ahead of meeting with Trump
- Zelensky says Russia ‘on the defensive’ as Trump announces new Putin meet
- US may have to keep Tomahawks for itself, Trump says
- Putin congratulates Trump for 'solving peace in the Middle East'
Tomahawk missiles are Trump’s ace card for Ukraine – Zelensky says it’s time to play it
06:40
,
Maroosha Muzaffar
The US president has shown he loves to back a winner – especially one that uses US weapons – which means Zelensky must convince him that he’s the one to back with Tomahawk missiles, writes Sam Kiley in Dnipro:
Hungarian prime minister says ‘we are ready’ for planned Trump-Putin summit
06:25
,
Maroosha Muzaffar
Hungary’s prime minister Viktor Orban has expressed strong support for the planned summit between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin.
“The planned meeting between the American and Russian presidents is great news for the peace-loving people of the world. We are ready!” he said.
The Hungarian leader added that he had spoken by phone with Trump and that preparations for a US–Russia summit were already underway.
Earlier, Trump announced he would be taking part in a new meeting with Putin in Hungary, with the timing yet to be agreed.
He is meeting the Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky in Washington DC later today.
Hundreds gather for rare anti-Putin demonstration in St Petersburg singing protest songs: ‘The old man clings to his throne’
06:10
,
Maroosha Muzaffar
Hundreds of people gathered in the centre of St Petersburg in a rare moment of protest against Russian president Vladimir Putin to sing anti-war songs.
A crowd of young people gathered to sing anti-war songs in Kazanskaya Square, including the proscribed song “Swan Lake Collective” by Russian rapper Noize MC, in footage that has now gone viral on social media.
The song, banned from distribution by the Primorsky District Court in May, features anti-Putin lyrics including “The old man still clings to his throne, afraid to let go” and “When the tsar dies, we’ll dance again — ‘Swan Lake’ on every screen.”
Crowds could be heard chanting the chorus: “I want to watch the ballet, let the swans dance. Let the old man shake in fear for his lake”.
Read more here:
Trump says he will meet Putin in Budapest for second Ukraine war summit
05:52
,
Maroosha Muzaffar
Donald Trump has agreed to a second Ukraine war summit with Vladimir Putin after a “productive” phone call between the pair on the eve of a White House visit by Volodymyr Zelensky.
A date has not been set, but Mr Trump wrote on social media that the meeting would take place in Budapest.
“I believe great progress was made with today's telephone conversation,” the US president wrote after the conversation, which lasted more than two hours.
Their previous summit, in Alaska in August, ended without any significant diplomatic breakthroughs for Mr Trump. Yuri Ushakov, Putin’s foreign affairs adviser, said the Russian president initiated the call, which he described as “very frank and trusting”.
It came as Mr Zelensky was heading to the White House to push for more military support, including long-range Tomahawk missiles that would allow Ukraine to strike deeper into Russian territory.
Read more here:
Trump-Putin phone call may slow down momentum to toughen stance on Moscow, former state department official says
05:38
,
Maroosha Muzaffar
Russian president Vladimir Putin’s latest phone call with Donald Trump may have slowed growing US momentum to toughen its stance on Moscow, according to a former US State Department official.
“Putin is trying to derail the momentum toward greater pressure on Russia,” said Dan Fried, a former US State Department official and veteran diplomat who oversaw sanctions policy under multiple administrations.
“We’ll see what happens tomorrow [on Friday, with Zelensky due to meet Trump] but the chances of moving toward a ceasefire by pushing Russia to get serious seem to have diminished.”
The Kremlin described Thursday’s Trump and Putin call as “extremely frank and trustful”.
Earlier, Trump had appeared to harden his position, voicing frustration with Russia’s continued attacks and hinting at a possible decision to provide Tomahawk cruise missiles to Ukraine.
Drone attacks target areas inside Russia-held territory - report
05:20
,
Maroosha Muzaffar
Explosions were reported overnight in both occupied Donetsk and the Russian resort city of Sochi, as suspected Ukrainian drone attacks targeted sites deep inside Russian-held territory.
“An air defence system is active in Sochi. An attack by unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) is being repelled,” Sochi Mayor Andrei Proshunin said.
In Donetsk, local channels reported that a Russian ammunition depot had been struck, setting off a series of explosions and large fires visible across the occupied city.
Videos circulating on social media appeared to show multiple blasts lighting up the night sky, Kyiv Independent reported.
Ukrainian officials have not commented on either incident.
Trump says ‘we need Tomahawks too’ before his meeting with Zelensky
04:50
,
Maroosha Muzaffar
Donald Trump appeared uncertain on Wednesday about supplying Tomahawk cruise missiles to Ukraine, saying the US must also keep enough for its own defence – just hours before his scheduled meeting with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky in Washington.
“We need Tomahawks for the United States of America too. We have a lot of them, but we need them. I mean, we can’t deplete for our country,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office.
“I don’t know what we can do about that,” he added.
Zelensky, who arrived in Washington earlier in the day, is expected to make a fresh push for the long-range missiles, which can strike targets up to 2,500 kilometres away.
Already in Washington.
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) October 16, 2025
Today, I am having meetings with representatives of defense companies – producers of powerful weapons that can definitely strengthen our protection. In particular, we will discuss additional supplies of air defense systems. I will also meet today with… pic.twitter.com/MRFmPARkq1
Earlier, Putin’s aide Yuri Ushakov told reporters that Moscow had warned Trump against arming Kyiv with the missiles.
“Vladimir Putin reiterated his point that Tomahawks would not change the situation on the battlefield but would cause significant harm to relations between our countries, not to mention the prospects for peaceful settlement,” Ushakov said, according to the Kyiv Independent.
Russia targets Ukraine’s gas sites as Zelensky flies to US for Trump talks
04:37
,
Maroosha Muzaffar
Russia launched one of its biggest aerial attacks in months on Thursday, pounding Ukraine’s energy network just as president Volodymyr Zelensky flew to Washington to ask Donald Trump for long-range Tomahawk missiles.
More than 300 drones and 37 missiles rained down across Ukraine overnight, sparking blackouts in eight regions and fires at key gas facilities.
“This autumn, the Russians use every single day to strike at our energy infrastructure,” Zelensky said on X.
Last night brought strikes against our people, our energy sector, and our civilian infrastructure. Russia launched more than 300 attack drones and 37 missiles, a significant number of them ballistic, against Ukraine. Infrastructure in the Vinnytsia, Sumy, and Poltava regions came… pic.twitter.com/bH3TipG4d2
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) October 16, 2025
One of the main targets was the Shebelinka gas processing plant in Kharkiv region, where drones and missiles hit around 5.30am.
Huge columns of black smoke rose from the site as crews battled multiple fires.
Zelensky says Russia ‘on the defensive’ as Trump announces new Putin meet
04:17
,
Maroosha Muzaffar
Volodymyr Zelensky has said the Russian president’s sudden push to meet Donald Trump shows the Russian leader is “on the defensive”.
Speaking in Washington on Thursday, the Ukrainian president said Putin’s eagerness to resume talks was directly tied to Trump’s recent suggestion that the US could send Tomahawk cruise missiles to Kyiv.
“We can already see that Moscow is rushing to resume dialogue as soon as it hears about Tomahawks,” Zelensky said.
His comments came after Trump confirmed he is planning to meet Putin in Budapest in the coming weeks.
Trump boasts 'tremendous prospects' for US-Russia economic cooperation if war were to end
04:01
,
Harriette Boucher
One of Trump’s main arguments for ending the war in Ukraine is that it would allow for strong economic cooperation between the US and Russia, the Kremlin said.
In a statement, Yury Ushakov said: “It is noteworthy that one of the US President’s key arguments centred on the premise that the resolution of the conflict in Ukraine would open up tremendous – and he stressed this – tremendous prospects for the development of US-Russian economic cooperation.”
After Trump and Putin’s meeting, Trump said the pair “spent a great deal of time talking about trade between Russia and the United States when the war with Ukraine is over.”
What is in the EU’s five-year plan to defend against Russian attacks?
03:00
,
Harriette Boucher
The European Union has unveiled four flagship projects to strengthen its defence capabilities against Russia by 2030, as recent airspace violations show that “Europe is at risk”.
The European Commission will submit the ‘Defence Readiness Roadmap 2030’ to EU leaders next week, essentially presenting them with a checklist of equipment to buy, with hopes of encouraging states to decide who will take the lead on projects.
What are the projects?
The European Drone Defence Initiative
As a top priority, the plans include the European Drone Defence Initiative, which aims to build counter-drone capabilities to detect, track, and disable rogue drones. The system is expected to be initially operational by December 2026 and fully functional in late 2027.
The Eastern Flank Watch
The drone system is part of the wider Eastern Flank Watch scheme, which aims to fortify defences along Europe's eastern border on land, in the Baltic and Black seas, in the sky, and against hybrid operations. It hopes to be fully functional by 2028.
The European Air Shield
The European Air Shield aims to protect member states’ airspace by creating an integrated, multi-layered air and missile defence shield to protect against all Russian air threats.
The European Space Shield
The fourth project is the European Space Shield, which aims to protect space assets and services against growing threats.
US may have to keep Tomahawks for itself, Trump says
02:00
,
Harriette Boucher
Donald Trump has suggested that the US may need to keep its Tomahawk missiles for itself, as Zelensky is expected to push for its supply at their meeting tomorrow.
He said: "Tomahawks. We have a lot of them, but we need them. We can't deplete” US stockpiles, the BBC reported.
The Russian president has warned Trump that supplying Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine would harm peace prospects and damage US-Russia relations, Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov told reporters.
Trump said: "I did actually say to him, 'Would you mind if I gave a couple of thousands of Tomahawks to your opposition?' I did say that to him. I said it just like that. He didn't like that idea,” according to the BBC.
"You have to be a bit light-hearted sometimes.”
Preparations underway for US-Russia summit, says Hungary's PM
01:00
,
Harriette Boucher
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said preparations for Putin and Trump’s summit in Budapest were underway.
Posting on X after a phone call with Trump, the president said: “Hungary is the island of PEACE!”
He previously said the meeting was “great news for the peace-loving people of the world.”
Putin congratulates Trump for 'solving peace in the Middle East'
Friday 17 October 2025 00:00
,
Harriette Boucher
Moscow rushing to renew dialogue over Trump's Tomahawk threat, says Zelensky
Thursday 16 October 2025 23:30
,
Harriette Boucher
Zelensky expects the momentum from the ceasefire will help end the Ukraine war as Moscow tries to renew its dialogue after Trump threatened to supply Ukraine with Tomahawk missiles.
In a post on X, the president said: “Putin is certainly no braver than Hamas or any other terrorist. The language of strength and justice will inevitably work against Russia as well.
“We can already see that Moscow is rushing to resume dialogue as soon as it hears about Tomahawks.
“There must be no alternative but peace and reliably guaranteed security – and it is crucial to protect people from Russian strikes and assaults as soon as possible.”
'Putin is not a rational man', says Farage
Thursday 16 October 2025 22:46
,
Harriette Boucher
Nigel Farage supports shooting down Russian fighter jets that violate Nato airspace, as he calls Putin “a very bad dude”.
“Clearly, Putin is not a rational man,” Farage said in an interview with Bloomberg.
“The idea that I’m soft on this is just nonsense.”
Farage has faced criticism that his stance on Moscow could hurt his chance of becoming Prime Minister.
In the interview on Thursday, he said he would support spending frozen Russian assets to help Ukraine, and may even deploy British troops to the country if he were to become PM.
Zelensky arrives in Washington ahead of meeting with Trump
Thursday 16 October 2025 22:30
,
Harriette Boucher
Trump and Putin to meet in next two weeks, says Trump
Thursday 16 October 2025 22:00
,
Harriette Boucher
Trump and Putin will meet in Budapest in the next two weeks, while foreign ministers Marco Rubio and Sergei Lavrov will speak beforehand.
Speaking at the White House, Trump said: "We have a problem, they don't get along too well, those two," Trump says, arguing that this requires separate meetings,” Sky News reported.
"This is a terrible relationship the two of them have."
Trump's call to Putin was initiated by Russia, says Kremlin
Thursday 16 October 2025 21:31
,
Harriette Boucher
Trump and Putin’s phone call was initiated by Moscow, Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov said.
The pair are now planning to meet in Budapest soon, the location of which was suggested by Trump and immediately agreed to by Putin, Mr Ushakov said.
He said the two countries will now quickly prepare for the summit, and the timing of the meeting will depend on how the preparations go.
Zelensky touches down in Washington to meet with defence and energy companies ahead of meeting
Thursday 16 October 2025 21:17
,
Harriette Boucher
Zelensky has landed in Washington ahead of his visit to the Oval Office on Friday.
In the meantime, he is having meetings with defence company representatives, who produce powerful weapons that can strengthen Ukraine’s protection, he said. He is planning to seek out additional supplies of air defence systems.
Zelensky will also meet with energy companies.
“Now, as Russia is betting on terror against our energy sector and carrying out daily strikes, we are working to ensure Ukraine’s resilience,” he said.
Ukrainian officials hope for 'concrete decisions' on Friday as they prepare for Zelensky's meeting with Trump
Thursday 16 October 2025 20:44
,
Harriette Boucher
High-level Ukrainian figures, including Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko, are already in the US, planning ahead of Zelensky’s visit to the Oval Office on Friday.
Andriy Yermak, the head of Zelensky’s office, said they hoped for concrete decisions at Friday’s meeting.
Putin thanked Melania Trump for her 'involvement with children'
Thursday 16 October 2025 20:10
,
Harriette Boucher
During their phone call, Trump said Putin thanked the First Lady for her involvement in returning kidnapped Ukrainian children to their families.
“He was very appreciative, and said that this will continue,” Trump said in a post on Truth Social.
Last week, Melania Trump revealed that she had sent a letter to Putin in August regarding the fate of the thousands of children who had been taken by Russian forces during the invasion of Ukraine.
Putin responded in writing to signal a “willingness to engage” with Mrs Trump, she said.
“Since then, President Putin and I have had an open channel of communication regarding the welfare of these children,” she said.
Eight children had been rejoined with their families, according to Mrs Trump.
Putin cautioned Trump against supplying Tomahawks to Kyiv, Kremlin says
Thursday 16 October 2025 19:33
,
Harriette Boucher
Putin warned Trump that supplying Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine would harm peace prospects and damage US-Russia relations, Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov told reporters.
Zelensky is visiting Trump at the Oval Office on Friday where he is expected to push for the supply of Tomahawks.
Trump told reporters travelling with him to Israel on Sunday that he planned to discuss providing Kyiv with the weapons as a way to pressure Putin to end the war.
"Do they want to have Tomahawks going in that direction? I don't think so," Trump said on Sunday.
"I think I might speak to Russia about that."
Hungarian PM says Putin and Trump's planned meeting in Budapest is 'great news'
Thursday 16 October 2025 18:54
,
Harriette Boucher
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has applauded Trump and Putin’s plans to meet in Budapest in a post on X.
UK and EU try very hard to derail peace, says Russia
Thursday 16 October 2025 18:50
,
Harriette Boucher
Following Putin’s phone call with Trump, Putin's special envoy, Kirill Dmitriev, said in a post on X: “UK and EU warmongers try very very hard to derail peace prospects.
“But dialogue and peace and the US-Russia cooperation will prevail.”
Trump announced he would soon be meeting Putin in Budapest to discuss bringing an end to the war in Ukraine.
In a separate post, Mr Dmitriev said: “Hungary has been the voice of reason in Europe and a peacemaker.”
Trump believes Putin and Zelensky could still meet
Thursday 16 October 2025 18:38
,
Harriette Boucher
Trump still thinks it could be possible for Putin and Zelensky to meet, his spokeswoman said after their phone call on Thursday.
Following Trump’s two-hour call with Putin, Karoline Leavitt said the president was trying to move the ball forward on peace, Sky News reported.
Trump had hoped that Putin and Zelensky could talk after he met with Putin in Alaska in August, and Zelensky said he was ready to do so. However, Russia has not committed to a meeting.
Trump says phone call with Putin was 'very productive' as pair to meet in Budapest soon
Thursday 16 October 2025 18:25
,
Harriette Boucher
Trump has ended his phone call with Putin, saying it was “very productive” and that the pair will meet in Budapest soon to discuss bringing the war in Ukraine to an end.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump said Putin congratulated him on bringing “peace to the Middle East”, which he said had been “dreamed of for centuries.”
Trump said the “success” of the peace deal in Gaza would help bring an end to the Ukraine war.
High-level advisors from Russia and the US, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, are meeting next week. Trump and Putin will then meet again in Budapest.
No precise date was given for either meeting.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky will visit Trump in the Oval Office on Friday to discuss the future of the conflict, including the potential supply of Tomahawks to Kyiv.
Ukraine imposes emergency power cuts across every region
Thursday 16 October 2025 17:20
,
Harriette Boucher
Ukraine's national energy operator, Ukrenergo, has imposed emergency power cuts across all regions following Russia’s continuous attacks on its energy system.
It announced the cuts on Thursday following a large Russian attack overnight, which targeted the energy sector, alongside civilians and civilian infrastructure.
EU reveals five-year plan to defend against Russian attack
Thursday 16 October 2025 16:57
,
Harriette Boucher
The European Union has unveiled its plan to ensure that it can defend itself from a Russian attack by the end of the decade, as Russia continues to test its defences through airspace violations across Europe.
It will include the European Drone Defence Initiative, which aims to build counter-drone capabilities to detect, track, and disable rogue drones.
The system is expected to be initially operational by December 2026 and fully functional in late 2027.
As she unveiled the European Commission’s plan, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said danger would not disappear, even if the Ukraine war were to end.
"Russia has no capacity to launch an attack on the European Union today, but it could prepare itself in the years to come.”
The drone system is part of the broader ‘Defence Readiness Roadmap 2030’, which proposes four flagship European defence projects.
Ursula von der Leyen, the European Commission president, said: “The recent threats have shown that Europe is at risk. We have to protect every citizen and square centimetre of our territory.”
Trump confirms call with Putin has begun
Thursday 16 October 2025 16:31
,
Daniel Keane
Donald Trump has confirmed that his call with Vladimir Putin is now underway.
He wrote on Truth Social: “I am speaking to President Putin now. The conversation is ongoing, a lengthy one, and I will report the contents, as will President Putin, at its conclusion.”
Recap: What are Trump's most recent comments on Ukraine?
Thursday 16 October 2025 16:17
,
Daniel Keane
Ending the wars in Ukraine and Gaza were central to Donald Trump’s reelection pitch in 2024.
In the Middle East, a fragile ceasefire between Hamas and Israel is holding - despite a row over the return of hostages held by the militant group.
Now Trump will turn his attention to Ukraine. He had told reporters traveling with him to Israel on Sunday that he had planned to discuss the provision of Tomahawks to Kyiv with Putin as a way to pressure him to end the war.
"Do they want to have Tomahawks going in that direction? I don't think so," Trump said on Sunday. "I think I might speak to Russia about that."
Pictured: A residential building is seen on fire after a Russian strike in Nizhyn, Chernihiv
Thursday 16 October 2025 16:00
,
Bryony Gooch
Trump and Putin to speak this evening before Zelensky's White House visit
Thursday 16 October 2025 15:48
,
Daniel Keane
Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin will hold a phone call this evening - a day before the US president welcomes Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to the White House.
The White House confirmed an earlier report in Axios that the two leaders would speak, amid growing signs that Trump is willing to offer further military support to Ukraine.
Trump has recently voiced his frustration with Putin over a lack of effort on Moscow’s part to end the war in Ukraine.
Tomahawk missiles are Trump’s ace card for Ukraine – Zelensky says it’s time to play it
Thursday 16 October 2025 15:30
,
Bryony Gooch
Ukraine armed forces unload shells for M114 self-propelled howitzer in Donetsk
Thursday 16 October 2025 15:00
,
Bryony Gooch
Ukraine in talks with international allies to raise funds for gas as energy infrastructures targeted
Thursday 16 October 2025 14:30
,
Bryony Gooch
Ukraine's cash-strapped government is in talks with international allies to raise funds to import more for gas the cold autumn and winter months.
Its air force said direct hits of 14 missiles and 37 drones were recorded overnight at 14 locations in the barrage, while 283 drones and five missiles were downed.
Russian drone strikes have also caused power cuts, with Ukraine limiting supplies to industrial consumers on Thursday.
Russia's Defence Ministry confirmed its forces had carried out a "massive strike" on Ukrainian gas infrastructure, which it said was supporting Kyiv's military, in retaliation for what it said were Ukrainian attacks on civilian infrastructure.
Kyiv has ramped up its own attacks on Russian oil refineries in border regions and beyond, including on an oil refinery in the Saratov region on Thursday. Zelensky, who is due to meet president Donald Trump on Friday during a visit to the US, issued a fresh appeal for more long-range capabilities for Ukraine.
"(Russian President Vladimir) Putin has turned a deaf ear to everything the world says, so the only language that can still get through to him is the language of pressure," he said.
"That is exactly what I will be discussing today and tomorrow in Washington."
Watch: Zelensky says preparations underway for his White House meeting with Trump
Thursday 16 October 2025 14:00
,
Bryony Gooch
Ukraine hit with over 300 drones and 37 missiles as Zelensky calls for United States help in ending war
Thursday 16 October 2025 13:30
,
Bryony Gooch
Zelensky has called on the United States and Europe to pursue “momentum towards peace” following a large Russian overnight assault.
Russia launched more than 300 attack drones and 37 missiles, a significant number of them ballistic, against Ukraine, the Ukrainian president said in a statement on social media. The strikes targeted people, the energy sector and civilian infrastructure.
“Infrastructure in the Vinnytsia, Sumy, and Poltava regions came under attack. In the Chernihiv region, the city of Nizhyn was struck – the post office was damaged, and one person was injured. In the Kharkiv region, the enemy targeted critical infrastructure and a State Emergency Service department. There are wounded.
“Recovery efforts are underway everywhere. Emergency services are working. And there is confirmation that the Russians are using double terror – attacking with ‘shaheds’ carrying cluster munitions and launching repeated strikes to injure firefighters and energy workers who are restoring damaged facilities.
He continued: “This autumn, the Russians use every single day to strike at our energy infrastructure. Putin has turned a deaf ear to everything the world says, so the only language that can still get through to him is the language of pressure – pressure through sanctions and pressure through long-range capabilities.
“Strong decisions are possible, decisions that can help. And this depends on the United States, on Europe, on all partners whose strength directly determines whether the war will be ended. Now there is an important momentum toward peace in the Middle East. In Europe, this is also possible. That is exactly what I will be discussing today and tomorrow in Washington.”
Last night brought strikes against our people, our energy sector, and our civilian infrastructure. Russia launched more than 300 attack drones and 37 missiles, a significant number of them ballistic, against Ukraine. Infrastructure in the Vinnytsia, Sumy, and Poltava regions came… pic.twitter.com/bH3TipG4d2
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) October 16, 2025
Recap: Zelensky says 'we have already prepared our part of the homework' for Trump meeting
Thursday 16 October 2025 13:00
,
Bryony Gooch
President Volodymyr Zelensky has said that Ukraine is prepared for its meeting with US president Trump, taking into account military and economic “homework.”
He said in a statement on X: “We have already prepared our part of the homework ahead of the meeting with President Trump – both the military component and the economic one. Every detail is ready. The agenda of our meeting with the President of the United States is very substantive, and I thank everyone who is helping.
“This can truly bring the war closer to an end – it is the United States that can wield this kind of global influence, and we are doing everything to ensure that others around the world stand on our side in this effort.”
We have already prepared our part of the homework ahead of the meeting with President Trump – both the military component and the economic one. Every detail is ready. The agenda of our meeting with the President of the United States is very substantive, and I thank everyone who… pic.twitter.com/Jwpp5bdn5h
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) October 15, 2025
Lavrov warns Tomahawk missile supplies could derail US-Russia relations
Thursday 16 October 2025 12:30
,
Shweta Sharma
Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov said Moscow has warned that supplying Tomahawk missiles to Kyiv would deal a “colossal blow” to prospects of normalising relations between the US and Russia, which he said were already damaged by previous administrations.
He described Europe’s role in the Ukrainian conflict as pushing the US into “Trump’s war” and claimed European leaders were issuing “shameless ultimatums” to President Donald Trump.
"This will simply deal a colossal blow to the prospects of normalizing relations between Russia and the US, and of breaking out of the complete deadlock into which the Biden administration has driven these relations,” he said.
His comments come as the Trump administration weighs Kyiv’s request for long-range Tomahawk missiles ahead of Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky’s meeting with Trump.
Shipments of Tomahawk missiles are set to be a key topic when President Zelensky meets President Trump later this week.
Russia claims it is awaiting US 'response' to Trump-Putin summit
Thursday 16 October 2025 12:00
,
Shweta Sharma
Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov said Moscow is awaiting a response from Washington following the recent Alaska summit, Tass reported.
“We still expect a concrete response to results of the negotiations in Alaska,” Lavrov told Kommersant.
He added that Russia remains committed to the outcomes of the summit and is ready to discuss specific issues with the US at any level, including the presidential level.
Moscow is seeking clarity from Washington on follow-up actions and potential next steps after the high-level talks in Alaska in August, he said.
Ukraine needs up to $20bn in US weapons through Nato programme, defence minister says
Thursday 16 October 2025 11:30
,
Shweta Sharma
Ukraine will need between $12bn and $20bn worth of military aid next year as part of a new Nato initiative to purchase US weapons, defence minister Denys Shmyhal said on Wednesday.
Speaking at a defence summit in Brussels, he added that Ukraine is capable of producing 10 million drones in 2026 with sufficient financing from allies, but that it also needs more long-range artillery shells as it fights Russian forces.
Ukraine says it struck Russia's Saratov oil refinery overnight
Thursday 16 October 2025 11:19
,
Shweta Sharma
Ukraine struck Russia's Saratov oil refinery overnight, the Ukrainian military general staff said in a statement on Telegram on Thursday.
Ukraine's Special Operations Forces (SSO) said: "The Saratov Refinery is one of the oldest Russian oil refining enterprises, formerly known as the Cracking Plant, and is part of the Rosneft oil company.”
"The volume of oil processing as of 2020 is 7.2 million tons, and in 2023 it is 4.8 million tons. Recall that the SSO struck this facility exactly a month ago, on Sept. 16, 2025."
Videos purported to show a drone striking an oil refinery, where a fire subsequently broke out.
Saratov Oblast governor Roman Busargin said that at around 1am at night the defence ministry received information about a potential drone attack.
Operati
