Volodymyr Zelensky has said that Donald Trump should talk about Vladimir Putin in the same critical way that he talks about him.
The US President has recently turned on Zelensky over Ukraine’s strikes on Russian oil refineries, saying he was “more difficult to deal with than Putin” in comments that have enraged Kyiv and Europe.
Trump also claimed that Russia “hasn’t been doing much” in Ukraine, despite thousands of civilian deaths the unprecedented destruction of infrastructure.
Speaking to Steven Bartlett’s Diary of a CEO podcast, the Ukrainian president said: “The way Trump talks about me, he needs to adopt that kind of rhetoric about Putin.”
Zelensky said he did not understand why Trump was unhappy with him: “Congress voted for strong sanctions. He can do it – I don’t know why he is not doing it.
“Maybe they have a special relationship, maybe something else. I can’t tell you, I don’t know everything. I can only guess.”
Read MoreFury in Ukraine as Trump’s sycophantic envoy salutes Putin as a ‘humanitarian’
Trump weighs in after his envoy calls Putin a ‘humanitarian’
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Inside Ukraine’s strange rift with a Nato ally over North Korea
Key Points
- Two dead in massive Russian missile attack as Putin talks 'make no difference'
- Trump's envoy Witkoff faces growing criticism for calling Putin ‘humanitarian’
- Ukraine says 'appeasement will not end war' after Witkoff's remarks
- Russia frees American Stephen Hubbard after over four years behind bars
- Kremlin says European peace proposals lack ‘substance’
- Starlink access in Ukraine a decision for Musk, not White House, Rubio says
Zelensky says 'Trump should talk about Putin the way he talks about me'
17:00 , Daniel KeaneVolodymyr Zelensky has said that Donald Trump should talk about Vladimir Putin in the same critical way that he talks about him.
The US President has recently turned on Zelensky over Ukraine’s strikes on Russian oil refineries, saying he was “more difficult to deal with than Putin” in comments that have enraged Kyiv and Europe.
Trump also claimed that Russia “hasn’t been doing much” in Ukraine, despite thousands of civilian deaths the unprecedented destruction of infrastructure.
Speaking to Steven Bartlett’s Diary of a CEO podcast, the Ukrainian president said: “The way Trump talks about me, he needs to adopt that kind of rhetoric about Putin.”
Zelensky said he did not understand why Trump was unhappy with him: “Congress voted for strong sanctions. He can do it – I don’t know why he is not doing it.
South Korea repatriates aid worker from Ukraine over safety, Yonhap says
15:53 , Daniel KeaneSouth Korea's international aid agency has decided to bring back one of its two staff members from its office in Ukraine's capital on safety grounds, the Yonhap news agency reported on Thursday.
Kyiv has come under increasingly heavy Russian drone and missile attacks in recent weeks, more than 4-1/2 years after Moscow's invasion of its neighbour.
South Korea has also been caught up in a diplomatic dispute with Ukraine and withdrew its ambassador this month after accusing Kyiv of breaching a confidentiality agreement over the transfer of two captured North Korean soldiers to the South.
The decision by the Korea International Cooperation Agency to repatriate the aid agency staff member was made after a safety meeting, Yonhap said in its report.
Suspected spy for Russia arrested in Germany
14:52 , Daniel KeaneA Ukrainian national has been arrested in the German state Brandenburg on suspicion of spying for Russia, a statement by federal public prosecutors said on Thursday.
Germany has stepped up efforts to counter what it sees as escalating hybrid attacks from Moscow, deemed by Chancellor Friedrich Merz the biggest threat to his country's security.
The suspect, identified by prosecutors as Vadym Y. under German privacy rules, had been in contact with a Russian secret service via an intermediary since at least July 2025, prosecutors said.
Prosecutors said he gathered military-related intelligence, including information on the production of armoured vehicles, ammunition and explosives, as well as personnel and installations involved in securing Nato’s eastern flank.
Ukraine to be able to buy military supplies via Nato agency - report
13:15 , Maroosha MuzaffarNato will allow Ukraine to buy weapons, ammunition and military equipment via its centralised procurement agency, potentially allowing Kyiv to obtain defence supplies faster and more cheaply, the Financial Times reported on Thursday.
“It provides Ukraine with the ability to have a more structured framework to leverage a broad range of capabilities that we offer: procurement expertise, support services and access to established industrial base,” the Nato Support and Procurement Agency director of support to operations, Jacqueline Borsboom, told the FT.
The deal comes amid worsening US-Ukraine relations since US president Donald Trump announced a diesel export deal with Russia this month to lower US fuel prices.
Ukraine has complained of disruption to some intelligence sharing and its use of the Starshield satellite system, though Ukraine president Volodymyr Zelensky said a meeting in Oslo on Tuesday had agreed to resolve those issues.
Kremlin claims US companies better off in Russia thanks to Trump
12:45 , Adam WithnallThe Kremlin has said US companies still operating in Russia are being better treated than their European rivals because of president Donald Trump's efforts to achieve peace in Ukraine.
Reuters reported earlier that Russia had deepened a crackdown on European companies in response to Europe's support for Ukraine, while largely sparing US firms.
"The American administration is doing a lot to help bring about a peaceful settlement (in Ukraine); the European capitals are doing nothing to help while doing a lot to prolong the military action," Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters.
Peskov did concede that European countries were becoming more actively engaged in the peace process, following talks involving Volodymyr Zelensky and Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff in Oslo. He described that as a positive development.
Russia continued to launch heavy aerial strikes on Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities overnight into Thursday despite Vladimir Putin meeting with Witkoff just hours earlier and claiming to want a peaceful end to the war, which was started by Russia’s invasion in February 2022.
Asked about possible trilateral peace talks next month with the US and Kyiv, Peskov said no decision had yet been made on who would represent Russia.
Downing Street hits back at Steve Witkoff over claim Putin is a 'humanitarian'
12:17 , Millie CookeThe UK government has hit back at US special envoy Steve Witkoff's claim that Vladimir Putin is a "humanitarian", saying: "We do not recognise that characterisation."
Speaking to reporters, the prime minister's official spokesperson added: "President Putin has killed thousands of people both innocent Ukrainians and the Russian people who he has sent to their deaths on the front line.
"Ukraine's foreign minister summed it up well this morning when he said that last night the people of Kyiv heard what Russian humanitarianism truly sounds like."
The spokesperson also repeatedly refused to say whether the prime minister thinks President Trump is a humanitarian, instead saying: "We fully support President Trump in his efforts to secure a just and lasting peace in Ukraine."
Russian attack damages shopping centre and residential buildings in Ukraine’s Rivne region
12:00 , Maroosha MuzaffarGerman military classifies threat of Russian sabotage as ‘significant’ for first time - reports
11:00 , Maroosha MuzaffarGermany’s military has classified the threat of Russian sabotage against its troops and facilities as “significant” for the first time, making it the second-highest threat level, German broadcasters WDR and the Sueddeutsche Zeitung reported.
This comes after the discovery of a drone carrying explosives near Wunstorf air base in September and reported sabotage incidents involving naval vessels.
“We are noting that we face a significant sabotage threat overall for [Germany’s armed forces],” a defence ministry spokesperson said, according to Reuters.
Germany had also accused Moscow of attempting a drone attack at Leipzig/Halle Airport in August.
The move comes amid growing concerns across Europe about suspected Russian sabotage, cyberattacks and other forms of disruption.
Germany’s foreign intelligence chief Martin Jaeger warned earlier this month that the country was in a “shadow war” with Russia and risked being drawn into a violent conflict with Moscow.
Lithuania and Denmark have also reported suspected Russian-linked efforts to target facilities or companies connected to support for Ukraine.
Trump claims Ukraine negotiations are ‘closest we’ve been’ to peace
10:00 , Maroosha MuzaffarDonald Trump has said negotiations to end the war in Ukraine are "the closest we've been", even as the Kremlin questioned the latest proposals put forward by Kyiv and European leaders.
Trump’s comments come as US special envoy Steve Witkoff met Vladimir Putin in St Petersburg.
Witkoff had discussed the proposals with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky and European leaders in Oslo before travelling to Russia.
Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov said Moscow was “in principle, ready to resume” trilateral negotiations in mid-November, but criticised the proposals, saying “there wasn’t really much substance in them”.
Zelensky has said Ukraine supports restarting the three-way talks as soon as possible.
Witkoff said discussions would continue at a technical level between Washington, Kyiv and Moscow.
Two dead in massive Russian missile attack as Putin talks 'make no difference'
09:23 , Adam WithnallAt least two people have died in Russian aerial strikes on Kyiv overnight that involved at least 21 ballistic missiles, Ukrainian officials said.
Three waves of strikes damaged homes and civilian infrastructure including a shopping centre and medical facility, with at least six others reported injured.
President Volodymyr Zelensky said the attack showed Trump envoy Steve Witkoff’s meeting with Vladimir Putin in St Petersburg a day earlier had made no difference.
“Almost immediately after another round of talks, Russia launched a pointed attack,” Zelensky said.
“This means there has been no real change in its attitude toward everything that is happening.
“It is important to keep trying to find the right solutions to end this war.”
In pictures: Aftermath of massive Russian missile attack on Kyiv
09:15 , Adam Withnall
Starlink access for Ukraine rests with SpaceX, Rubio says
09:00 , Maroosha MuzaffarUS secretary of state Marco Rubio has said decisions over Ukraine’s access to Starlink satellite communications are a matter for SpaceX and its owner, Elon Musk, rather than the White House.
His remarks followed a Wall Street Journal report that Musk had ordered restrictions on a military-grade version of Starlink used by Ukraine to defend against Russian missile attacks.
Meanwhile, Volodymyr Zelensky earlier said that Washington had resumed sharing intelligence with Kyiv on Russian missile strikes following his meeting with US special envoy Steve Witkoff and European leaders in Norway.
The developments come as the United States continues diplomatic engagement with both Ukraine and Russia over a possible end to the war.
‘Glaring gaps’ leave UK exposed to Russian attacks
08:30 , Adam Withnall
Gaps in military capability ‘leave UK exposed to Russian attacks in High North’
Russian authorities claim Ukrainian drone attack on telecom company killed two
08:00 , Maroosha MuzaffarRussian authorities in Luhansk said a Ukrainian drone attack on a telecommunications company killed two people.
Moscow mayor Sergei Sobyanin said 630 drones had been launched towards the region overnight.
He claimed that the air defences had destroyed most of them, while 163 had been approaching the Russian capital.
Ukrainian foreign minister slams Witkoff's 'appeasement' of Putin
07:16 , Adam WithnallUkraine’s foreign minister Andrii Sybiha has become the latest figure to hit out at Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff for calling Vladimir Putin a “humanitarian”, contrasting the statement with fresh Russian strikes on Kyiv overnight.
Sybiha did not name Witkoff directly, but wrote on X: “Overnight, Kyiv residents heard what Russian ‘humanism’ truly sounds like: a brutal attack with dozens of ballistic missiles striking energy infrastructure, medical facilities, shopping centres, and residential areas.
“Other cities across Ukraine came under attack as well,” he wrote.
“Appeasement, servility, and flattery will not stop this war. Only strength will.”
Russian strikes hit Kyiv as war intensifies
07:00 , Maroosha MuzaffarRussian ballistic missile attacks have struck several parts of Kyiv overnight on Thursday, injuring six people and damaging residential buildings, a car service station, a medical facility and a restaurant.
At least 13 explosions were reported in less than eight minutes during one wave of strikes around 3am local time, according to The Kyiv Independent.
Kyiv mayor Vitali Klitschko said: "In the same district, debris also hit another private residential building. There may be people trapped under the rubble.”
Fires reportedly broke out and some areas experienced power and Wi-Fi outages.
Residents reported windows being blown out and houses catching fire. One resident said he and his neighbours rescued a couple from a burning home.
Witkoff faces criticism over Putin ‘humanitarian’ remarks
06:00 , Maroosha MuzaffarUS special envoy Steve Witkoff has drawn criticism from Washington after describing Russian president Vladimir Putin as a “humanitarian” following Moscow’s release of American citizen Stephen Hubbard.
Republican Senator Thom Tillis criticised Witkoff in a post on X: “WTF, Steve? Look up the definition of ‘humanitarian’.”
Donald Trump declined to endorse or reject the envoy’s description, saying “I wouldn’t say anything one way or the other”.
Vice president JD Vance defended Witkoff, saying: “I agree with Steve Witkoff saying something nice to a person who just released an American hostage.”
Hubbard, 74, a former teacher who had spent more than four years in Russian detention on charges of fighting as a mercenary for Ukraine, was released as Witkoff met Putin. Hubbard has denied these accusations.
Trump said the release required no concessions from Washington. He wrote on social media: “The United States, out of respect for President Trump, was not required to give anything in return – an unprecedented situation for Russia … There was no ‘swap’ necessary for this release.”
Russia frees American Stephen Hubbard after over 4 years behind bars
05:00 , Maroosha MuzaffarRussia on Wednesday freed an American who had been jailed for more than four years on charges of fighting as a mercenary in Ukraine, a deal completed during a visit by a top US envoy and at a time when president Donald Trump has taken a series of actions meant to benefit Moscow.
Trump told reporters at the White House that he had asked Russian president Vladimir Putin during a recent call to free Stephen Hubbard and that, unlike previous releases, the US did not have to give up anyone in return.
“He is the happiest man around,” Trump said of Hubbard, describing the 74-year-old retired teacher from Michigan as a “very high-quality, innocent man”.
Hubbard’s legal team denied the Russian accusations, saying he was not involved in any military activity.
The release occurred during a visit to St Petersburg by US envoy Steve Witkoff, who in a face-to-face interaction with Putin praised the Russian leader as a “humanitarian” as the men held talks about Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine and as Trump simultaneously pushes Kyiv to make a deal that stops the fighting.
Kremlin says peace proposals lack ‘substance’
04:04 , Maroosha MuzaffarThe Kremlin has cast doubt on the peace proposals to end the war in Ukraine, saying proposals put forward by Kyiv and European leaders lack “substance”.
US special envoy Steve Witkoff met Russian president Vladimir Putin in St Petersburg on Wednesday after holding talks with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky and European leaders in Oslo.
Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov said Moscow was “in principle, ready to resume” trilateral talks in mid-November, but added that “there wasn’t really much substance in them”.
US president Donald Trump said the negotiations were “the closest we’ve been” to ending the war, while Zelensky backed an early resumption of three-way talks.
Witkoff described his meeting with Putin as “constructive”, but said “there is still important work left to do”.
Trump hails Putin for releasing US citizen Stephen Hubbard
03:00 , Maira ButtDonald Trump has posted on Truth Social to celebrate Vladimir Putin’s decision to release Stephen Hubbard, a US citizen who was formally designated as wrongfully detained in Russia for four years.
“Stephen is on his way back home and will soon be with his family. The United States, out of respect for President Trump, was not required to give anything in return – an unprecedented situation for Russia,” the post read.
Hubbard’s release comes after a number of US concessions towards Russia in recent weeks, including a deal signed by Trump to obtain diesel from Moscow.
Nonetheless, Trump claimed that “there was no ‘swap’ necessary for this release”.
“Welcome home Stephen, it’s great to have you back,” the statement quoted Trump as saying.
Kremlin says journalists from 'unfriendly' countries to be allowed to attend Putin's annual presser
02:00 , Maira ButtJournalists from countries Russia considers “unfriendly” will be allowed to attend president Vladimir Putin’s annual year-end press conference in December, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said.
“They will attend. Yes, [we will invite them] – as we always do,” Peskov told Russian state news agency TASS when asked whether media outlets from countries deemed unfriendly by Moscow would be invited.
The annual press conference will once again be combined with Putin’s “Direct Line” call-in show, during which he answers questions from Russian citizens.
The combined event, known as “Direct Line with Vladimir Putin: Year in Review”, will be held for the fifth time this year. The format was first introduced in 2020 during the Covid pandemic and revived in 2023.
Russia designates countries including the US, UK and EU member states as “unfriendly”, largely in response to sanctions imposed on Moscow following its invasion of Ukraine.
The exact date for the press conference has not been announced yet
Starlink access in Ukraine a decision for Musk, not White House, Rubio says
01:00 , Maira ButtUS Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that decisions regarding Ukraine's access to Starlink were up to its parent company SpaceX and Elon Musk, not the White House.
"I'm not aware that we knew about this decision beforehand. But that's irrelevant," Rubio told reporters during a trip to India on Wednesday.
Six injured as Kyiv rocked by explosions
Wednesday 21 October 2026 23:52 , Maira ButtExplosions have rocked Ukraine’s capital of Kyiv, leaving six injured on Wednesday.
Mayor Vitali Klitschko said the city was under attack from Russian ballistic missiles, in a post on Telegram.
Four people are being treated in hospital.
Russian Su-30 fighter jet crashes in Kaliningrad region
Wednesday 21 October 2026 22:00 , James ReynoldsA Russian Su-30 fighter jet has crashed in the Kaliningrad region, Russian agency Interfax reported on Wednesday, citing the defence ministry.
It quoted the ministry as saying the crash occurred during a training flight, but did not specify the cause. The crew ejected and there were no casualties, the ministry said.
Watch: Trump says Ukraine has to want to settle war
Wednesday 21 October 2026 21:00 , James ReynoldsTop story: Elon Musk reportedly ordered slowing down of Starlink access for Ukrainian army
Wednesday 21 October 2026 20:00 , James ReynoldsElon Musk was responsible for the slowdown of Starlink which restricted the Ukrainian army’s ability to carry out attacks against Russia last week, the Wall Street Journal has reported.
The satellite terminals are crucial for Kyiv to carry out long-range drone strikes that have disrupted Russian logistics.
Citing US officials and people familiar with the matter, the WSJ said that Musk and Donald Trump had discussed the decision in a phone call after the outage became public. The matter was also discussed prior to the decision to restrict Starlink, according to the WSJ.
Elon Musk ordered slowing down of Starlink access for Ukrainian army, say report
Ukrainian soldier ‘cut off own leg’ before miracle evacuation by drone
Wednesday 21 October 2026 19:00 , James ReynoldsThe injured soldier airlifted from Ukraine’s frontline by drone cut off his own frostbitten leg in a desperate bid to survive, having spent more than a year alone in the kill zone before his dramatic rescue, according to reports.
The rescue mission this month was the product of more than six months of preparation, coordinating helicopters, electronic warfare and artillery with the drone team on the ground, according to Ukrainian outlet Oboronka.
“The flight was calm, I mostly looked around the area,” the soldier told the outlet after his heroic rescue. “And when I landed, I felt safe and relieved - I would finally see my family soon. A special thank you to my clerk with the call sign ‘Lefty’ for spoiling me with goodies.”
Read the full story:
Ukrainian soldier ‘cut off own leg’ to survive before miracle drone rescue
The key moments of Trump and Zelensky’s rocky relationship
Wednesday 21 October 2026 18:00 , James ReynoldsRelations between Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky have reached a new low after the US president tore up sanctions on Russia and struck a highly controversial deal to purchase Russian diesel.
The latest fracture followed months of careful positioning by the Ukrainian president and his allies in Europe to avoid upsetting Trump and the US abandoning the country altogether.
But with Ukraine facing another brutal winter of Russian strikes, Washington’s commitment to sharing vital intelligence and interceptor missiles is again in question.
And where Zelensky would once have tried to court the American president with open displays of praise and gratitude, this time he has stood his ground.
The Independent looks back on the key moments that have shaped the rocky relationship between the two leaders:
The key moments that have shaped Trump and Zelensky’s rocky relationship
Inside Ukraine’s strange rift with a Nato ally over North Korea
Wednesday 21 October 2026 17:00 , James ReynoldsThe unusual public confrontation between Ukraine and South Korea has raised questions about how relations between two nations facing the consequences of growing Russian-North Korean military cooperation deteriorated so sharply. Shweta Sharma reports
Inside Ukraine’s strange rift with a Nato ally over North Korea
Putin says Russia has freed US citizen, 74, jailed since 2022
Wednesday 21 October 2026 16:20 , James ReynoldsRussian president Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday that Moscow has agreed to free the imprisoned US citizen Stephen Hubbard following a plea from US president Donald Trump.
Mr Hubbard, 74, had been held in Russian custody since April 2022 and was serving a nearly seven-year prison sentence in a penal colony for allegedly fighting on behalf of Ukraine, charges he denies.
Putin told US special envoy Steve Witkoff that the former schoolteacher was at the St Petersburg Pulkovo airport and waiting to fly back to the US with him. Witkoff thanked him for the goodwill gesture.
Read the full story:
Russia frees retired US teacher jailed for four years after being captured in Ukraine
Russia is willing in principle to join new Ukraine peace talks in November, Kremlin says
Wednesday 21 October 2026 15:30 , James ReynoldsRussian President Vladimir Putin told US special envoy Steve Witkoff on Wednesday that Moscow is willing in principle to resume talks next month with Ukraine and the US on ending the war in Ukraine, Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov said.
No such talks have taken place since February.
Ushakov said the negotiations should focus on security guarantees for Russia and Ukraine after the conflict ends.
Ukrainian soldier ‘cut off own leg’ to survive on frontline before miracle drone rescue
Wednesday 21 October 2026 14:43 , James ReynoldsThe injured soldier airlifted from Ukraine’s frontline by drone cut off his own frostbitten leg in a desperate bid to survive, having spent more than a year alone in the kill zone before his dramatic rescue, according to reports.
Kostiantyn Vlasenko, 49, made history as the first person to be evacuated from a war-zone with a flying drone, as Russian UAVs and landmines made a conventional rescue impossible.
The rescue mission this month was the product of more than six months of preparation, coordinating helicopters, electronic warfare and artillery with the drone team on the ground, according to Ukrainian outlet Oboronka.
“The flight was calm, I mostly looked around the area,” the soldier told the outlet after his heroic rescue. “And when I landed, I felt safe and relieved - I would finally see my family soon. A special thank you to my clerk with the call sign ‘Lefty’ for spoiling me with goodies.”
The volunteer fighter from Kryvyi Rih, who was serving with Ukraine’s 30th Mechanised Brigade last summer, had reportedly spent 70 weeks stranded in Kharkiv oblast, reliant on airdrops of food, cigarettes and a Stephen King novel, until his evacuation on October 4.
Watch: Trump says Ukraine has to want to settle war
Wednesday 21 October 2026 14:00 , Daniel KeaneZelensky says he supports ceasefire and trilateral talks with US and Russia
Wednesday 21 October 2026 13:30 , Daniel KeaneUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said he supports talks between the leaders of Kyiv, Washington and Moscow.
Speaking to FOX News, he said that he hoped that Donald Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff would have positive talks with Vladimir Putin in Moscow.
He said it was important to have a freeze in the fighting and move to diplomacy and toward an agreement that includes security guarantees, praising Trump's call for ceasefires.
"It's important to negotiate trilaterally" with him, US President Donald Trump and Putin, he added.
Kremlin says journalists from 'unfriendly' countries to be allowed to attend Putin's annual presser
Wednesday 21 October 2026 13:00 , Shweta SharmaJournalists from countries Russia considers “unfriendly” will be allowed to attend president Vladimir Putin’s annual year-end press conference in December, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said.
“They will attend. Yes, [we will invite them] – as we always do,” Peskov told Russian state news agency TASS when asked whether media outlets from countries deemed unfriendly by Moscow would be invited.
The annual press conference will once again be combined with Putin’s “Direct Line” call-in show, during which he answers questions from Russian citizens.
The combined event, known as “Direct Line with Vladimir Putin: Year in Review”, will be held for the fifth time this year. The format was first introduced in 2020 during the Covid pandemic and revived in 2023.
Russia designates countries including the US, UK and EU member states as “unfriendly”, largely in response to sanctions imposed on Moscow following its invasion of Ukraine.
The exact date for the press conference has not been announced yet,
South Korea to recall some of its diplomats from Kyiv
Wednesday 21 October 2026 12:00 , Shweta SharmaSouth Korea will withdraw some of its diplomatic personnel from Ukraine amid worsening relations between Seoul and Kyiv over the disclosure of the transfer of two North Korean prisoners of war (POWs), Yonhap news agency reported, citing Seoul’s foreign ministry.
“This measure was taken because we judged it necessary to facilitate an amicable resolution of the issue and restore trust between the two countries,” foreign ministry spokesperson Park Doo-soon said, according to Yonhap.
The move follows South Korea’s decision to recall its ambassador to Ukraine on 8 October after Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky publicly disclosed the transfer of the two prisoners to South Korea during his speech at the UN General Assembly on 23 September.
Seoul claims the announcement violated a confidentiality agreement between the two countries.
