Donald Trump has lashed out at Volodymyr Zelensky yet again as he accused Ukraine of “giving us nothing” in return for US support.
He told reporters on Monday that he thinks it is time for somebody else to negotiate on behalf of Ukraine and suggested that he would consider a meeting on ending the war with Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin, but not president Zelensky.
“We’ve given a lot to Ukraine, they’ve given nothing to us...We’ve given hundreds of billions of dollars,” the US president said.
He was also asked about Zelensky saying the president was “on the wrong side of history” with the Russia diesel deal, to which he responded: “Zelensky doesn’t know what he’s talking about. Zelensky’s a man that should have this war settled a long time ago.
“To be honest, I think it’s time for someone else to negotiate on behalf of Ukraine.”
Washington and Kyiv’s relationship has faced intense strain in recent days, with both leaders fiercely criticising one another.
Tensions have continued to escalate amid reports that intelligence-sharing with Ukraine has been paused, as well as president Trump’s lifting of sanctions on Russia for diesel exports, and Kyiv’s attacks on Russia’s energy sector.
Read MoreBlaze at St Petersburg oil sites as Kyiv launches more than 1,000 drones at Russia
UK must rejoin EU to combat growing threat from Russia and Trump, Burnham warned
Trapped civilians in Russian-occupied city in Ukraine face starvation or ‘road of death’
Key Points
- Trump hits out Zelensky and says Ukraine has 'given us nothing'
- Ukrainian soldier rescued from frontlines by drone in first-of-its kind operation
- Blaze at St Petersburg oil sites as Kyiv launches more than 1,000 drones at Russia
- Zelensky says he is 'very honest' with Trump
- Ukraine was blindsided by Russian attacks when intelligence-sharing was paused
Russia strikes 28 energy critical energy facilities
03:00 , Harriette BoucherRussia has struck 28 substations and other critical energy facilities across Ukraine in another wave of attacks.
At least 550,000 households lost power overnight, Volodymyr Zelensky said.
“Restoration work is underway everywhere, and electricity is gradually being restored to people.
“Grateful to every repair crew, all employees of energy companies—men and women alike.”
Both Russia and Ukraine have ramped up attacks on energy facilities after Donald Trump’s energy ceasefire collapsed.
Comment: Why a mysterious Russian satellite is threatening to spark a space war
02:00 , Harriette BoucherIf Russia were to detonate a nuclear weapon in low orbit, it would be a game-changer – an escalation in conventional military strategy that would kill no one directly. More alarming still, it would not require the industrial capacity Moscow lacks, but rely on technology it already possesses, says missile defence expert Dr Sidharth Kaushal
Why a mysterious Russian satellite is threatening to spark a space war
Trump claims Zelensky ‘never wanted to end war’ as rift deepens with Kyiv
01:00 , Harriette BoucherDonald Trump has claimed that Volodymyr Zelensky “never wanted to end” the war with Russia as he escalated his attacks on the Ukrainian president.
Over the past few weeks, the relationship between the US and Ukraine has rapidly declined after Washington announced it would pause sanctions on Moscow and import fuel.
The rift between the two powers deepened on Sunday when Trump posted on Truth Social that Zelensky “doesn’t want to end this war”.
He said: “Frankly, with all of the money that Europe is famously giving him, and that crooked Joe Biden gave him in the past, he doesn’t want to end this war, and probably never did.”
Read more:
Trump claims Zelensky ‘never wanted to end war’ as rift deepens with Kyiv
Watch: Ukrainian drone attack on St Petersburg and Leningrad region
00:00 , Harriette BoucherBulgarian court approves arrest warrant for two Germans over Starlink fire
23:00 , Harriette BoucherA Bulgarian court approved the issuance of a European arrest warrant for two German citizens accused of setting fire to SpaceX Starlink antennas near Sofia, a spokesperson told Reuters.
Prosecutors allege the two entered Bulgaria from Serbia on 9 October 9, spent several hours in the country and later returned to Serbia. They are accused of setting fire to Starlink antennas at the Plana Teleport facility south of Sofia.
If convicted, they face between three and 12 years in prison, Bulgarian state news agency BTA reported. The ruling can be appealed within three days
Ukraine uses Starlink terminals extensively for battlefield communications and installs Starlink receivers in many of its drones as part of their guidance systems
Other countries have blamed Russia-linked sabotage for similar fire incidents. Moscow says such accusations are baseless and the result of anti-Russian hysteria
Zelensky discusses speeding up supplies of Patriots with Lockheed Martin
22:00 , Harriette BoucherVolodymyr Zelensky has discussed ways of speeding up supplies of the Patriot system, vital to countering Russia ballistic missiles, with representatives of the US company Lockheed Martin.
The Ukrainian leader said it is the company’s “Patriot systems and F-16 planes that play an important role in defending against Russian ballistic missiles and jet-powered drones.
“And things are not easy on both fronts right now. We talked about how we can expand and increase supplies,” he added.
“The company is currently ramping up production of ballistic missile interceptors. We count on the opportunity to purchase some of them to protect more lives.
“We are also trying to do everything possible to ensure that F-16 maintenance and repairs are carried out in Ukraine.”
Homeland Security grants temporary deportation reprieve for more than 100K Ukrainians and Sudanese
21:15 , Harriette BoucherMore than 100,000 people from Ukraine and Sudan can stay in the United States without immediate risk of deportation, the Department of Homeland Security said, in what amounts to a temporary reprieve after their right to stay in the country was set to expire Monday.
Temporary Protected Status was set to end Oct. 19 for about 101,000 Ukrainians and 1,800 Sudanese. But DHS said an announcement “will be made at the appropriate time.” Until then, the department said in a written statement, Ukrainians and Sudanese in the U.S. covered by those temporary measures “retain protection.” The Department did not indicate how long they could stay or when a final announcement would be made on their status.
DHS did not respond to a question about whether they can keep their work permits, but TPS generally allows people to work while their protections remain in effect.
Homeland Security grants temporary deportation reprieve for more than 100K Ukrainians and Sudanese
Trump hits out Zelensky and says Ukraine has 'given us nothing'
21:12 , Harriette BoucherDonald Trump has said it may be time for somebody else to negotiate on behalf of Ukraine, as he hit out at Kyiv for “giving us nothing”.
He told reporters: “We’ve given a lot to Ukraine, they’ve given nothing to us...We’ve given hundreds of billions of dollars. I gave the Javelin [missiles] to Ukraine. That was me. [Barack] Obama gave them pillows.
“All I want is for Russia and Ukraine to stop that stupid war.”
Asked if he would meet with Chinese president Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin to discuss the end of the war without Zelensky there, he said: “Anything I can do to end the war, whether somebody is there or not.”
Trump was also asked about Zelensky’s comments, in which he said the president was “on the wrong side of history”.
“Zelensky doesn’t know what he’s talking about,” the president responded. “Zelensky’s a man that should have this war settled a long time ago.
“If he would have listened to me, he would have made a much better deal a long time ago and had a million people living from his side.
“To be honest, I think it’s time for someone else to negotiate on behalf of Ukraine.
“Maybe it’s time for Zelensky to get someone else to negotiate.”
Zelensky says he spoke with Pope Leo after plea for cooperation with Russia
20:30 , Harriette BoucherVolodymyr Zelensky has said he discussed the crisis in Oleshky with Pope Leo, who has urged both Ukraine and Russia to deliver aid to the besieged town.
We reported earlier that the pontiff had asked the Ukrainian president to cooperate with Vladimir Putin in providing a safe passaage for humanitarian aid into Oleshky.
Pope Leo had called Putin on Friday, when he also urged for a ceasefire.
President Zelensky said on Monday: “I spoke with Pope Leo XIV and wished His Holiness a full and speedy recovery following his surgery.
“I briefed him in detail on the situation with Russian escalation and Russia’s constant strikes on Ukrainian cities and communities. We also discussed the humanitarian catastrophe in temporarily occupied Oleshky. We are working to help our people there. We are preparing decisions.
“His Holiness informed me about contacts with the Russian side on this matter. Of course, we also discussed all the current security challenges and threats, including the periodic lack of warnings from our partners about Russian ballistic missile attacks – something that has happened three times recently.”
'Savage' Russian attack on park kills toddler in stroller
19:45 , Harriette BoucherA toddler and an 11-year-old are among six people who have been killed in a “savage” Russia attack on a park in the Kharkiv region.
Vladimir Putin’s forces targeted the park with Shahed drones and injured another fourteen people, including six more children.
A one-year-old girl named Angelina was in her stroller when she was killed, and her mother, Inna, later died in hospital, Volodymyr Zelensky has said.
Another 11-year-old girl was also murdered, along with three others.
Sharing photos from the attack, the Ukrainian leader said: “These are horrific photos, but behind them are shattered lives and the truth about this war. Lives must be protected. Ukraine needs air defence.
“You can't think about making money with Russia as long as it continues its asinine war. We ask that sanctions on Russia stay in place as long as the killings continue.
“It is Russia that has insisted on continuing the killing all this time. The world has enough strength to stop the war. That strength must finally be used – against the murderers.”
Watch: Ukraine will 'not prevail' if Trump sides with Russia
19:05 , Harriette BoucherTrump claims Zelensky ‘never wanted to end war’ as rift deepens with Kyiv
18:35 , Harriette BoucherDonald Trump has claimed that Volodymyr Zelensky “never wanted to end” the war with Russia as he escalated his attacks on the Ukrainian president.
Over the past few weeks, the relationship between the US and Ukraine has rapidly declined after Washington announced it would pause sanctions on Moscow and import fuel.
The rift between the two powers deepened on Sunday when Trump posted on Truth Social that Zelensky “doesn’t want to end this war”.
Read more:
Trump claims Zelensky ‘never wanted to end war’ as rift deepens with Kyiv
Pope Leo urges Zelensky to cooperate with Russia on aid for Oleshky
18:05 , Harriette BoucherPope Leo has urged Volodymyr Zelensky to cooperate with Vladimir Putin on delivering aid for the Russian-occupied Oleshky.
The pontiff had called Putin on Friday to urge a ceasefire and request safe passage for humanitarian aid into the besieged Ukrainian town of Oleshky.
Russia’s leader agreed to cooperate with the Vatican to help organise vital supplies.
A statement from the Holy See said: “The Holy Father recalled the grave situation in the city of Oleshky, in the Kherson region, and made reference to the request for a humanitarian ceasefire that he had presented to the President of the Russian Federation”.
The Pope also expressed his hope that “cooperation between both parties will allow for the delivery of food and medical aid”, as well as for the “voluntary and safe evacuation of the civilian population”.
In pictures: Drone rescues Ukrainian soldier from frontlines
17:34 , Harriette Boucher
Ukrainian soldier rescued from frontlines by drone in first-of-its kind operation
17:09 , Harriette BoucherUkraine has carried out the first medical evacuation with a drone after an injured soldier was rescued from the frontlines.
Its armed forces claims that the “historic” mission was a world-first when it shared footage of the comrade strapping himself in to the drone and being flown away.
A 92nd Brigade programmer who was involved in preparing the operation wrote on Telegram: “Due to intense enemy drone activity and the presence of landmines, evacuation using conventional unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) was impossible.”
He said specialists decided to take on “the challenge of attempting something never done before: evacuating a serviceman using an aerial drone.
“The craft used was a heavy-lift hexacopter from the Ukrainian manufacturer Gurzuf Defence, provided by the company free of charge.
“The operation was a success—the wounded soldier was rescued! He is currently undergoing treatment and rehabilitation, and his life is no longer in danger.”
Ukraine faces 'obstacles' in obtaining missile interceptors, minister says
16:30 , Daniel KeaneUkraine is facing "obstacles" in obtaining interceptors critical to repelling Russian ballistic missile attacks, foreign minister Andrii Sybiha said.
He did not provide details in his statement on X.
"Cutting Russian war revenues and ensuring uninterrupted deliveries of air defence systems and ballistic missile interceptors must be treated as urgent, connected priorities," Sybiha added.
Ukraine received no warning of Russian ballistic missile strike, says Zelensky
15:30 , Daniel KeaneUkraine received no advance warning from its partners of a Russian ballistic missile strike overnight, President Volodymyr Zelensky has said, after Moscow launched one of its biggest air assaults in months.
Russia fired 16 ballistic missiles at Kyiv and the surrounding region and more than 200 drones across the country in attacks stretching from Kharkiv and Dnipro in the east to Odesa in the south and Volyn and Rivne in the west.
The strikes killed a woman in Kyiv and two more people in the industrial city of Kryvyi Rih, officials said.
"Another Russian ballistic missile attack came in several waves overnight, and once again, there was no early warning from our partners," Zelensky said on the Telegram app.
"When deliveries of missiles for Ukraine's air defence are blocked while Russia is granted relief or delays in sanctions, this is, unfortunately, a denial of reality on the part of our partners."
Watch: Ukrainian drones attack St Petersburg
14:30 , Daniel KeaneUkraine has reclaimed more territory than Russia has captured, says Zelensky
13:39 , Daniel KeaneUkraine has recaptured more territory this autumn than Russia has taken, Volodymyr Zelensky has said.
In a statement on social media, the Ukrainian president said that Kyiv was seeing “results on the front” as well as stepping up its long-range drone campaign behind enemy lines in Russia.
"The trend this year continues," Zelensky said. "Since the start of fall, our warriors have liberated more territory than the Russians have managed to capture. The same was true at other points this year."
Rubio says Ukraine and Russia should be focused on ending the war
13:00 , Maroosha MuzaffarUS secretary of state Marco Rubio said Ukraine and Russia should focus on ending their four-year war, warning of the risk of escalation into neighbouring countries.
Asked about a possible meeting between Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping, Rubio said the summit had not been finalised but reiterated Trump’s desire to end the conflict.
“There’s been talks of a meeting. I don’t know whether it’s been finalised, but the president has been clear. He’d like the war in Ukraine and Russia to end.”
“We see nothing good coming from this war,” Rubio said.
“We see a lot of downside to it, including the very real risk of escalation and spread of this thing... into another country because of a failed sabotage attack, because of drones that are hit with electronic warfare and they wander into a neighbouring country.”
Putin proposes summit with Trump and Xi - report
12:00 , Maroosha MuzaffarRussian president Vladimir Putin has proposed a summit next month with US president Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping to negotiate an end to the four-year Ukraine conflict that would favour Moscow, the Wall Street Journal said.
Citing a former Russian intelligence officer, the paper said on Sunday that Putin’s suggestion came in a 9 October telephone call with Trump that also yielded a deal for the US to buy Russian diesel and facilitate its sale on the global market.
Bessent warns Zelensky to ‘be very careful’ about claims US is throttling Starlink
11:00 , Maroosha MuzaffarUS treasury secretary Scott Bessent warned Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky to “be very careful” after he suggested Washington was responsible for restrictions on Ukraine’s military Starlink system, which has affected its drone operations.
Bessent called the accusation “very reckless”, saying Donald Trump and secretary of state Marco Rubio had denied ordering the restrictions.
However, Elon Musk said Starshield’s limits – Starshield is the military and government-controlled version of the commercial Starlink – were ultimately decided by the US government, while Reuters reported that the White House had ordered the restrictions.
Trump has denied responsibility.
“President [Donald] Trump and Secretary [Marco] Rubio have categorically said that no one under the Trump administration did that, and I think it is very reckless for President Zelenskyy to make such a charge,” Bessent said.
“President Zelenskyy should be very careful about making statements like this that aren’t true,” he added.
Ukraine has retaken more territory than Russia captured this fall, Zelensky claims
10:00 , Maroosha MuzaffarUkrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukraine had recaptured more territory than Russia had seized since the start of autumn.
Under “Operation Vivaldi”, Ukrainian forces reportedly reclaimed 277sq km and 16 settlements in Donetsk Oblast, The Kyiv Independent reported.
“We are seeing results on the front,” Zelensky said.
“Since the start of fall, our warriors have liberated more territory than the Russians have managed to capture. The same was true at other points this year.”
The Institute for the Study of War, a conflict monitor based in the US, said the Russian military claims of advances were “greatly exaggerated” and did not reflect battlefield realities.
Ukraine will 'not prevail' if Trump sides with Russia, Zelensky says
09:00 , Maroosha MuzaffarBlaze at St Petersburg oil sites as Kyiv launches more than 1,000 drones at Russia
08:00 , Maroosha MuzaffarUkrainian attacks set an oil export terminal ablaze in St Petersburg on Sunday, as Kyiv launched more than 1,000 drones across Russia in one of its largest ever aerial bombardments.
The attack comes amid deepening tensions between Ukraine and Washington, with US president Donald Trump criticising Kyiv for its strikes on Russian oil infrastructure.
One person was killed and five more were wounded in the attack, which sparked fires at both the Petersburg Oil Terminal and the city’s Ruchi oil depot, said local Gov. Alexander Beglov.
A logistics centre belonging to Russian retailer Ozon and a data centre for local tech giant VK were also targeted, both companies confirmed.
Read more here:
Blaze at St Petersburg oil sites as Kyiv launches more than 1,000 drones at Russia
Zelensky blames US for intentionally throttling Starlink satellite internet access
07:00 , Maroosha MuzaffarVolodymyr Zelensky blamed the US on Sunday for intentionally throttling its Starlink satellite internet access.
However, he also thanked the Trump administration for resuming intelligence sharing between the two countries.
In an interview on NBC, Zelensky said that the “intelligence” was “blocked for some period of time. And then it was deblocked by the American side. We are very thankful for this. Now it works.”
He added: “Only [the] United States has this unique intelligence to tell our side when Russia uses ballistic missiles. And we didn’t get it during ballistic attacks during three days.”
He also said that SpaceX limited the speed at which Starlink terminals worked in Ukraine, hampering drone operations on the frontlines as well as some air defence missions.
“It was a message from [the] American government to limit the speed,” he said. “And technically, SpaceX did it.”
Trump accuses Zelensky of not wanting to end war
06:00 , Maroosha MuzaffarDonald Trump has accused Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky of not wanting to end the war with Russia, as tensions between Washington and Kyiv continue over the US administration’s approach to Moscow.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump defended his decision to waive some sanctions on Russia, saying he wanted to avoid undermining ongoing peace negotiations.
“My decision on Russia is a very simple one. I am in the process of negotiating Peace in the war between Russia and Ukraine, and don’t want to do anything that will drive, foolishly, Russia away from the bargaining table,” he wrote.
“Zelensky doesn’t care, and frankly, with all of the money that Europe is famously giving him … he doesn’t want to end this war, and probably never did,” he added.
Zelensky, meanwhile, thanked the Trump administration for resuming intelligence-sharing between the two countries, while maintaining that the US had deliberately restricted Ukraine’s access to Starlink satellite internet services to send a “message” to Kyiv.
Putin proposes summit with Trump and Xi - report
05:00 , Maroosha MuzaffarRussian president Vladimir Putin has proposed a summit next month with US president Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping to negotiate an end to the four-year Ukraine conflict that would favour Moscow, the Wall Street Journal said.
Citing a former Russian intelligence officer, the paper said on Sunday that Putin’s suggestion came in a 9 October telephone call with Trump that also yielded a deal for the US to buy Russian diesel and facilitate its sale on the global market.
Russian strike kills woman, hits Kyiv subway station, mayor says
04:00 , Maroosha MuzaffarA Russian air strike killed a woman in Ukraine's Kyiv overnight while also hitting a subway station on the left bank of the capital city and damaging a 25-storey residential building, Mayor Vitali Klitschko said on Telegram on Monday.
The attack, which also saw non-residential buildings and a medical facility hit, injured three other people in Kyiv, he said.
A Reuters witness heard explosions in the city.
After a brief pause, the US has resumed sharing critical intelligence to help Ukraine defend against Russian missile strikes, president Volodymyr Zelensky said, a key to providing warning of the fast-moving missiles that Moscow has fired in waves.
Zelensky spoke with US peace envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner after the two visited Kyiv earlier this month as the US administration tries to mediate a deal to end the war, which Russia started by invading its neighbour in 2022.
Why a mysterious Russian satellite is threatening to spark a space war
03:00 , Harriette BoucherIf Russia were to detonate a nuclear weapon in low orbit, it would be a game-changer – an escalation in conventional military strategy that would kill no one directly. More alarming still, it would not require the industrial capacity Moscow lacks, but rely on technology it already possesses, says missile defence expert Dr Sidharth Kaushal
Why a mysterious Russian satellite is threatening to spark a space war
ICYMI: Ukraine will 'not prevail' if Trump sides with Russia
02:00 , Harriette BoucherUkraine will “not prevail” if Donald Trump sides with Russia, Volodymyr Zelensky has said.
He said it would be a “big tragedy” for the US to take Vladimir Putin’s side and “very difficult for Ukraine to win the war without US support.
He told NBC’s Meet the Press he didn’t “want to live in illusions” and had to be pragmatic.
“If the United States will officially take the side of Russia, if these two countries will be together, of course, we will not prevail, and we will not be able to stand.
“That's why we hope that the president, his team will be on our side, minimum, in the middle.”
He added: “If the United States supports Putin, it's unbelievable. It's a tragedy. It's a historic mistake and big tragedy.”
Watch: Video shows Ukrainian drone hunting down Russian helicopter
01:00 , Harriette BoucherIn full: Blaze at St Petersburg oil sites as Kyiv launches more than 1,000 drones at Russia
Monday 19 October 2026 00:00 , Harriette BoucherUkrainian attacks set an oil export terminal ablaze in St. Petersburg on Sunday, as Kyiv launched more than 1,000 drones across Russia in one of its largest ever aerial bombardments.
The attack comes amid deepening tensions between Ukraine and Washington, with U.S. President Donald Trump criticizing Kyiv for its strikes on Russian oil infrastructure.
One person was killed and five more were wounded in the attack, which sparked fires at both the Petersburg Oil Terminal and the city’s Ruchi oil depot, said local Gov. Alexander Beglov. A logistics center belonging to Russian retailer Ozon and a data center for local tech giant VK were also targeted, both companies confirmed.
Blaze at St Petersburg oil sites as Kyiv launches more than 1,000 drones at Russia
Ukraine 'regrets' possible diversion of its drones over Lithuania, foreign ministry says
Sunday 18 October 2026 23:00 , Harriette BoucherUkraine has said it “regrets” the possible diversion of its drones into Lithuanian airspace on Sunday.
Its foreign ministry said it may have been caused by electronic warfare diverting drones during an attack on Russia.
Spokesperson Heorhii Tykhyi wrote on X: “We regret the incident that occurred this morning in Lithuanian airspace, which may have resulted from Russian electronic warfare diverting drones during an operation against legitimate military targets in Russia.
“We apologise for any disruption, risks, and concern this may have caused. We are committed to sharing all relevant information with our Lithuanian partners to establish the full circumstances of the incident.”
German authorities investigate a hole cut into a fence at Leipzig airport
Sunday 18 October 2026 22:00 , Harriette BoucherGerman authorities on Sunday were investigating how a gaping hole was cut overnight into a fence around Leipzig airport.
The unexplained damage to the fence took place at the same airport where an attack with an explosives-laden drone was attempted in August. German authorities blamed that on Russia, an allegation denied by Moscow.
The damage was discovered at around 11 p.m. on Saturday, the dpa news agency reported. Police said initial evidence suggested that a vehicle had plowed through the fence along a publicly accessible road.
German authorities investigate a hole cut into a fence at Leipzig airport
Comment: Why a mysterious Russian satellite is threatening to spark a space war
Sunday 18 October 2026 21:00 , Harriette BoucherIf Russia were to detonate a nuclear weapon in low orbit, it would be a game-changer – an escalation in conventional military strategy that would kill no one directly. More alarming still, it would not require the industrial capacity Moscow lacks, but rely on technology it already possesses, says missile defence expert Dr Sidharth Kaushal
Why a mysterious Russian satellite is threatening to spark a space war
Zelensky says he is 'very honest' with Trump
Sunday 18 October 2026 20:30 , Harriette BoucherVolodymyr Zelensky has said he is “very honest” with Donald Trump after the US president said he was more difficult to deal with than Vladimir Putin.
“I'm very honest with the president of the United States, and very clear, and very supportive of America, because we are strategic partners.
“This is the kind of relations I understand and I respect,” he told NBC’s Meet the Press.
“I can't applaud any decisions or any words of one or another leader if they go against Ukraine, if they are support for Russia and directly for Putin, he is a killer.
“That's why I'm very honest and open to say that he's a killer, and maybe it’s not very polite, and maybe not the things that the president of the United States wants from me, but I'm better to have partners who are very open and clear than to have those who are killers, even with a smile on their face.”
He also said he couldn’t be compared to Putin, telling the broadcaster: “We can't compare with Russia. We can't compare me and Putin. He is an aggressor, he's occupied us, he’s killed adults and children and soldiers. He is a terrorist.”
Editorial: Ukraine has been betrayed by Trump – but Europe must not abandon it
Sunday 18 October 2026 20:00 , Harriette BoucherThe easing of US sanctions on Russian oil risks strengthening Putin’s war effort. European leaders must resist a return to appeasement, while a weary Zelensky must go all out to win America back:
Ukraine has been betrayed by Trump – but Europe must not abandon it
Ukrainian electrical plant halts operations after Russian attack
Sunday 18 October 2026 19:30 , Harriette BoucherAn electrical wiring plant has halted operations following Russian attacks on the facility yesterday.
The Kromberg & Schubert plant in the city of Lutsk, which manufactures wiring systems for BMW, Audi, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, and Skoda vehicles, said “business has stopped”.
“Our absolute priority is the safety, life and health of each of the employees,” it wrote on social media.
“We are currently assessing the current circumstances and coordinating all further steps."
Putin 'feels victory' from Trump's pause on sanctions - Zelensky
Sunday 18 October 2026 19:00 , Harriette BoucherVladimir Putin feels “victory” after Donald Trump signed an executive order pausing a new sanctions package targeting the Russian economy, Volodymyr Zelensky has said.
The Ukrainian leader said the waiving on the sweeping sanctions “is really big support for Putin.
“He feels victory,” the Ukrainian leader told NBC’s Meet the Press.
“I think that a mistakes, and it will not help us, and it will not help United States. But, it's not my choice, and I hope that [President Trump] will change his decisions, change his attitude to Putin.”
Watch: Moment British-made sea drones strike Russian Olympic sea port in Ukraine's Black Sea blockade
Sunday 18 October 2026 18:30 , Harriette BoucherZelensky urges support for new US sanctions on Russia after Trump puts them on hold
Sunday 18 October 2026 18:00 , Harriette BoucherVolodymyr Zelensky urged supporters Saturday to speak out in defense of new U.S. sanctions against Russia, hours after President Donald Trump signed an executive order pausing a sweeping package of restrictions targeting the Russian economy.
The White House's decision has further raised fears that Ukraine could be left exposed to Moscow’s escalating assaults with winter approaching.
Zelensky described Trump's move to put sanctions on hold as unfortunate, but did not directly criticize the U.S. leader despite deepening tensions between Ukraine and Washington in recent days.
“A decision was unfortunately made in America to completely disregard the Lindsey Graham Act, which was supposed to impose truly effective pressure on Russia to bring this war to an end,” Zelensky wrote.
Zelenskyy urges support for new US sanctions on Russia after Trump puts them on hold
Zelensky speaks to Witkoff and Kushner as Ukraine pushes for peace
Sunday 18 October 2026 17:33 , Harriette BoucherVolodymyr Zelensky has spoken with Donald Trump envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, as he tries to secure a new peace meeting.
The Ukrainian president said his side was “doing everything” to make peace happen and ensure that the US’s position was strong.
“Peace comes only through strength and cooperation built on trust,” he wrote on X.
“Peace that everyone, except Russia, has been waiting for over the past four and a half years.”
President Zelensky added: “In particular, we discussed the results of our teams’ meeting in Florida. Our teams maintain virtually nonstop communication. We are also preparing the next steps in diplomacy. We constantly inform our partners about the real situation with Russian strikes, which do not cease for a single minute, and about air defense issues.
“A lot here depends precisely on America’s position. Ukraine remains ready to work constructively, honestly, and toward a real result. I thank everyone in America who supports Ukraine and this particular approach.”
It is understood that President Zelensky hoped to arrange a new peace meeting next week, Bloomberg News reported on Sunday, citing an interview with the leader.
In pictures: Aftermath of a Russian air attack in Sloviansk
Sunday 18 October 2026 17:30 , Harriette Boucher
EU ‘quickly preparing sanctions on Russia’ in case Le Pen elected in 2027
Sunday 18 October 2026 17:02 , Harriette BoucherThe EU is working quickly to prepare sanctions on Russia before French presidential elections that could see eurosceptic Marine Le Pen enter the Élysée Palace, according to a report.
Le Pen is the leader of France’s far-right National Rally (RN), and the current favourite to win France’s presidential election next year. She has declared that she would end support for Ukraine within six months if she is elected in the April 2027 contest.
February may present the “last opportunity [to impose sanctions] because of the French elections”, one source involved in the EU discussions told The Telegraph. Officials told the outlet Brussels would be “lucky” to secure sanctions after February as France enters campaign mode.
EU ‘quickly preparing sanctions on Russia’ in case Le Pen elected in 2027
Ukraine was blindsided by Russian attacks when intelligence-sharing was paused
Sunday 18 October 2026 17:00 , Harriette BoucherUkraine was blinded by Russian ballistic missile attacks after intelligence-sharing with the US was paused, Volodymyr Zelensky has said.
The Ukrainian leader said Donald Trump has since resumed intelligence-sharing with Ukraine to help defend against Russian missile strikes.
He told NBC’s Meet the Press on Sunday that Ukraine was “very thankful for this.”
Ukraine has relied on US intelligence to spot the fast-moving ballistic missiles that Russia has fired in waves at its cities.
“Only United States has this unique intelligence to tell our side when Russia uses ballistic missiles, and we didn't get it during ballistic attacks over three days,” he added.
In full: Blaze at St Petersburg oil sites as Kyiv launches more than 1,000 drones at Russia
Sunday 18 October 2026 16:30 , Harriette BoucherUkrainian attacks set an oil export terminal ablaze in St. Petersburg on Sunday, as Kyiv launched more than 1,000 drones across Russia in one of its largest ever aerial bombardments.
The attack comes amid deepening tensions between Ukraine and Washington, with U.S. President Donald Trump criticizing Kyiv for its strikes on Russian oil infrastructure.
One person was killed and five more were wounded in the attack, which sparked fires at both the Petersburg Oil Terminal and the city’s Ruchi oil depot, said local Gov. Alexander Beglov. A logistics center belonging to Russian retailer Ozon and a data center for local tech giant VK were also targeted, both companies confirmed.
Read more:
Blaze at St Petersburg oil sites as Kyiv launches more than 1,000 drones at Russia
