Category: World

The European Union considers it an insult that US President Donald Trump and Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin have deliberate a gathering within the Hungarian capital, Budapest.

Supply: Spanish newspaper El País, as reported by European Pravda

Particulars: El País reported that the deliberate Trump-Putin assembly in Budapest places the heads of the EU and NATO establishments "in an ungainly and unsightly place", as Putin and Trump intend to debate the Russo-Ukrainian struggle in an EU nation, however with out the participation of the EU itself.

As well as, the newspaper states that if EU leaders don’t need to anger Trump, they are going to be pressured to situation Putin particular permits to fly via their airspace or pressure him to take an extended route.

"The placement has been chosen fastidiously as a result of it may benefit Russia by deepening divisions throughout the EU over the Kremlin. It may additionally do an enormous favour for [Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor] Orbán, who faces elections in his nation subsequent 12 months," stated an unnamed European diplomat.

In public statements, EU leaders say {that a} Trump-Putin assembly can be useful if it helped to finish Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Nevertheless, in non-public conversations, a number of sources have described it as a "political nightmare" for the EU.

Background:

• Trump spoke with Putin on 16 October for the primary time in practically two months. Following the dialog, he introduced plans for a gathering in Budapest, which might be Putin's first look in an EU capital because the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The go to would require Russian plane to cross the airspace of different EU member states.
• Trump stated after the decision that Putin didn’t like the concept of the US offering Ukraine with Tomahawk missiles, including that he believes that now "it is probably not excellent timing" to impose secondary sanctions aimed toward decreasing Russia's power revenues.

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Early studies point out that 4 folks have been injured in a Russian assault on town of Lozova in Kharkiv Oblast.

Supply: State Emergency Service in Kharkiv Oblast; Oleh Syniehubov, Head of Kharkiv Oblast Navy Administration

The aftermath of the assault on Lozova. Picture: State Emergency Service

Quote: "Right this moment, at round 17:30, Russian troops struck a residential space within the metropolis of Lozova (presumably with a guided aerial bomb).

The strike has triggered destruction and a fireplace on the premises of a residential property. A residential constructing caught hearth over an space of 80 sq. metres.

Early studies point out that 4 folks have been injured."

Up to date: At 20:14, Syniehubov reported that the Russian guided aerial bomb strike on Lozova had injured six folks: 5 ladies aged 47, 77, 51, 80 and 66 and a 39-year-old man.

The ladies aged 47 and 77 suffered blast accidents and have been taken to hospital. 4 others acquired medical help on the spot.

Background: On 18 October, one man was killed and 6 folks have been injured in Russian assaults on Kharkiv Oblast.

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The Economist has calculated that if the Russian offensive continues at its present tempo, Russia would want till June 2030 to fully occupy Ukraine's Luhansk, Donetsk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia oblasts, and it could take one other 103 years to seize the entire of Ukraine.

Supply: The Economist

Quote: "For the reason that battle traces stabilised after Ukraine's first counteroffensive led to October 2022, they’ve barely moved. No massive metropolis has modified arms.

On the tempo of the previous 30 days, seizing what stays of the 4 areas Mr Putin already claims – Luhansk, Donetsk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia – would take till June 2030. (For Russia to occupy all of Ukraine would require an extra 103 years.)"

Particulars: Since Could this yr, when it launched a large-scale frontline offensive, Russia has captured solely 0.4% of Ukrainian territory in keeping with The Economist's calculations and has not achieved any severe goals.

The Economist mentioned Russia is paying an enormous value for minimal positive aspects on the battlefield.

Quote from The Economist: "Our meta-estimate means that, from the start of the full-scale invasion to January of this yr, Russian casualties amounted to 640,000-877,000 troopers, of whom 137,000-228,000 have died. By 13 October, these totals had risen by virtually 60%, to 984,000-1,438,000 casualties, together with 190,000-480,000 useless.

Our tough calculations recommend that the troopers killed within the battle quantity to 0.5%-1.2% of Russia's pre-war cohort of males underneath the age of 60, in comparison with 0.6%-1.3% for Ukraine, taking UAlosses' report of useless, and useless plus lacking, as a beginning guess."

Extra particulars: A sudden breakthrough of Ukraine's defensive traces is unlikely, since "surveillance, coupled with long-range precision weaponry, has made massing forces close to the entrance suicidal", The Economist believes. Nevertheless, incremental successes stay doable – albeit at an enormous price – by sending small teams of fighters into the demise zone to seize superior positions.

Quote: "If Western backing for Ukraine holds, the battle might effectively grind on at huge price, with Russia gaining floor solely slowly.

However Russia's potential to battle on at at the moment's tempo might also be coming to an finish. And if Mr Putin pushes on regardless, he could be operating one other threat. After three years of thwarted offensives, a sudden collapse might develop into extra probably within the Russian battle economic system than in Ukraine's defensive traces."

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Russia has launched drone strikes on civilian infrastructure within the Sumy hromada on 18 October, damaging a passenger practice carriage. [A hromada is an administrative unit designating a village, several villages, or a town, and their adjacent territories – ed.]

Supply: Sumy Oblast Navy Administration

Particulars: The assault precipitated explosions close to academic establishments and railway infrastructure.

The blast wave shattered home windows in passenger carriages and broken the railway station constructing.

No casualties have been reported.

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Olha Stefanishyna, Ukraine's Ambassador to america, has stated that President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, throughout his go to to Washington, briefed his American counterpart Donald Trump on the scenario on the entrance, the aftermath of Russian missile strikes on Ukraine's vitality system and the nation's most pressing defence wants.

Supply: Stefanishyna, as reported by European Pravda

Particulars: Stefanishyna stated each presidents agreed that america, along with European companions, should play a key position in guaranteeing Ukraine's safety.

She added that Kyiv expects elevated stress on Russia to assist finish the struggle.

The ambassador additionally reported that Zelenskyy had held "a sequence of productive conferences" geared toward deepening cooperation with america within the areas of safety, defence and vitality.

She stated the assembly with US Power Secretary Chris Wright befell in an unprecedented format, with the participation of main vitality corporations: Bechtel, Fluence Power, GE Vernova, Holtec Worldwide, Invenergy, Jacobs, Mercuria, Parsons, TechMet, Enterprise World and Westinghouse Electrical Firm.

Quote: "The dialog was joined by John Jovanovic, President and Chairman of the Export-Import Financial institution of america, Ben Black, Chief Govt Officer of the US Worldwide Improvement Finance Company (DFC), and senior State Division officers accountable for US help programmes. The contributors mentioned initiatives regarding American liquefied pure gasoline, tasks within the oil and nuclear sectors and the event of vitality infrastructure."

Extra particulars: Throughout talks with corporations Lockheed Martin and Raytheon, discussions targeted on strengthening Ukraine's air defences with Patriot air defence techniques, missiles and F-16 plane in addition to potential alternatives for joint manufacturing.

Zelenskyy additionally took half in a roundtable dialogue with representatives of main US assume tanks on the way forward for US-Ukraine relations and the steps needed to attain a simply peace.

Background:

• On 17 October, Zelenskyy travelled to the White Home at Trump's invitation, following two consecutive cellphone calls between them. The assembly was meant to debate extremely delicate points.
• A member of the Ukrainian delegation stated that Zelenskyy arrived with a map highlighting weak factors in Russia's defence trade and economic system.
• Zelenskyy said that he deliberate to supply Trump a deal to acquire Tomahawk cruise missiles in alternate for Ukrainian drone expertise.
• CNN has reported that Trump made it clear throughout the assembly that he was not at present contemplating supplying Ukraine with long-range Tomahawk missiles.

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The Worldwide Atomic Vitality Company (IAEA) has reported that restore work has begun on the briefly occupied Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Energy Plant to revive broken off-site energy strains after 4 weeks with out electrical energy provide.

Supply: IAEA

Particulars: IAEA Director Normal Rafael Grossi mentioned that the repairs have change into doable following the institution of native ceasefire zones, which have allowed specialists to entry the positioning safely.

Work has begun to restore broken off-site energy strains to ZNPP after 4-week outage, following institution of native ceasefire zones to permit work to proceed, DG @rafaelmgrossi mentioned. Restoration of off-site energy is essential for nuclear security and safety. Either side engaged… pic.twitter.com/7WAnXUVNmZ

— IAEA – Worldwide Atomic Vitality Company ⚛️ (@iaeaorg) October 18, 2025

Grossi pressured that restoring the exterior energy provide is essential for the plant's nuclear security and safety, as the ability has been working on backup diesel turbines for an prolonged interval.

The IAEA famous that each side of the battle have cooperated constructively with the company to implement the advanced restore plan.

The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Energy Plant has been below Russian occupation since 2022, and the IAEA has repeatedly warned of extreme nuclear security dangers posed by ongoing combating across the web site.

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One man has been killed and a lady has been injured in a Russian assault on the village of Zelenyi Hai in Kharkiv Oblast.

Supply: Oleh Syniehubov, Head of Kharkiv Oblast Army Administration

Quote: "A 58-year-old man had been killed and an 83-year-old girl had been injured in an assault on the village of Zelenyi Hai within the Velykyi Burluk hromada." [A hromada is an administrative unit designating a village, several villages, or a town, and their adjacent territories – ed.]

Particulars: Syniehubov reported that 12 settlements in Kharkiv Oblast got here below Russian assaults over the previous day. The Russian military used 17 Geran-2 UAVs, 2 Lancet UAVs, 1 Molniya UAV, 2 FPV drones and 1 UAV (sort to be decided).

Civilian infrastructure was broken and destroyed within the Kupianskyi district, particularly 4 homes, a workshop, two tractors and a automotive within the village of Zelenyi Hai; a civilian firm and energy traces within the village of Velykyi Burluk; and energy traces and a neighborhood arts centre within the village of Shevchenkove had been broken.

Within the Izium district, a tractor was broken within the village of Oskil. Within the Chuhuiv district, railway infrastructure and a non-residential constructing had been broken within the city of Chuhuiv, and a home, a storage, and an outbuilding had been broken within the village of Petropavlivka. Within the Kharkiv district, two warehouses within the city of Derhachi had been broken.

The transit evacuation level in Lozova obtained 183 individuals throughout the day.

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Russia has misplaced 1,150 troopers killed and wounded and 41 artillery techniques over the previous day.

Supply: Normal Workers of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Fb

Particulars: The full fight losses of the Russian forces between 24 February 2022 and 18 October 2025 are estimated to be as follows [figures in parentheses represent the latest losses – ed.]:

• roughly 1,129,180 (+1,150) navy personnel
• 11,267 (+1) tanks
• 23,396 (+2) armoured fight autos
• 33,789 (+41) artillery techniques
• 1,522 (+2) multiple-launch rocket techniques
• 1,228 (+0) air defence techniques
• 428 (+1) fixed-wing plane
• 346 (+0) helicopters
• 71,523 (+498) operational-tactical UAVs
• 3,864 (+0) cruise missiles
• 28 (+0) ships/boats
• 1 (+0) submarine
• 64,672 (+131) autos and gas tankers
• 3,980 (+2) particular autos and different tools.

The knowledge is being confirmed.

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy needs to suggest an vitality deal to his US counterpart Donald Trump throughout their assembly on 17 October.

Supply: AP, citing Ukrainian officers, as reported by European Pravda

Particulars: The sources stated Zelenskyy intends to supply storage for US liquefied pure gasoline in Ukrainian gasoline services.

This might allow the US to keep up a presence within the European vitality market.

Zelenskyy outlined this technique throughout conferences with US Vitality Secretary Chris Wright and American vitality firm executives on Thursday 16 October.

Following these conferences, Zelenskyy emphasised the significance of repairing Ukraine's vitality infrastructure after Russian assaults and increasing "the presence of American companies in Ukraine".

Background:

• On 17 October, Zelenskyy arrived on the White Home for a gathering with Trump.
• Relating to the assembly, Zelenskyy stated he hopes that "the momentum of curbing terror and warfare that succeeded within the Center East will assist to finish Russia's warfare towards Ukraine".
• Axios reported that the Ukrainian president was shocked by the information of Trump's newest dialog with the Kremlin chief and the 2 leaders' settlement to carry a gathering in Hungary.

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US President Donald Trump has defined his selection of venue for a gathering with Russian ruler Vladimir Putin: he likes Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.

Supply: Trump throughout a press briefing on the White Home throughout his assembly with Volodymyr Zelenskyy, as reported by European Pravda

Particulars: Trump stated he determined to suggest the Hungarian capital because the assembly venue "as a result of it's a pacesetter that we like".

Quote: "We like Viktor Orbán. He [Putin] likes him, I like him. [Hungary is] a rustic that's a secure nation… He's been an excellent chief within the sense of operating his nation. He doesn't have a variety of the issues that different nations have."

Particulars: The US president stated he’s assured that Orbán "will likely be an excellent host".

Background:

• Trump spoke with Putin on 16 October for the primary time in almost two months. Following the dialog, he introduced plans for a gathering in Budapest, which might be Putin's first look in an EU capital for the reason that full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The go to would require Russian plane to cross the airspace of different EU member states.
• Bloomberg has reported that European leaders try to safe a seat on the negotiating desk between Putin and Trump after their earlier assembly in Alaska undermined efforts to keep up strain on Russia.

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