Category: World

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has expressed delight that the US and Russian leaders have agreed to carry a gathering in Budapest.

Supply: Orbán on X (Twitter), as reported by European Pravda

Particulars: Orbán stated the upcoming assembly between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin is "nice information for the peace-loving folks of the world".

"We’re prepared!" the Hungarian prime minister added.

Background:

• Following his first telephone dialog with Putin in two months on Thursday, the US president introduced plans for a gathering in Budapest.
• This would be the second face-to-face assembly between the US and Russian leaders, following their first on 15 August 2025 in Anchorage, Alaska.
• For the reason that Alaska summit, Trump has change into more and more important of Putin for his refusal to finish the battle in opposition to Ukraine, whereas dialogue between Kyiv and Washington has improved.

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Kyrylo Budanov, Head of Defence Intelligence of Ukraine (DIU), believes that Ukrainian strikes on Russian oil refineries have prompted larger harm to Russia's financial system than any worldwide sanctions.

Supply: Budanov on the Kyiv Worldwide Financial Discussion board on 16 October, as reported by Suspilne, a Ukrainian public broadcaster

Quote: "The truth is, our strikes have had a larger impression than the sanctions. That's simply mathematical fact. We have now inflicted much more direct harm to the Russian Federation's income than any financial measures imposed up to now."

Particulars: Budanov emphasised {that a} vital share of the strikes on Russian refineries have been carried out utilizing domestically produced munitions. "We’re working largely with our personal means – 99% of them are ours. We now have our personal manufacturing. After all, we all the time need extra, but it surely exists. It's our home manufacturing that has allowed us to make use of our forces and means in the best way we see match. And in the end, it delivers outcomes," he mentioned.

He added that the present sanctions strain on Russia stays inadequate. "That's additionally an disagreeable fact as a result of it leads us to the conclusion that it's clearly not sufficient. I imply the sanctions strain – it's inadequate. And if issues proceed as they’re, it received't have sufficient impression to alter the worldview of the Russian Federation," Budanov famous.

He additionally said that Russia nonetheless has sufficient "resilience" to proceed the conflict for "fairly a very long time," including that its present financial difficulties haven’t but reached a crucial stage.

On the identical time, the intelligence chief identified that "no extended conflict has ever benefited any nation's financial system", so the concept that Russia is discovering it more and more troublesome "is, in precept, inherently right".

Background: On 15 October, Budanov mentioned at a briefing that Russia would have already misplaced the conflict if not for the assist of its allies.

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The plane carrying Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has landed at Andrews Air Pressure Base in the USA.

Supply: Interfax-Ukraine, citing FlightAware

Quote: "The DAP 'Ukraine' plane, carrying Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, has landed at Andrews Air Pressure Base in the USA. The touchdown was reported by the monitoring service airnavradar.com."

Particulars: The flight from Shannon Airport in Eire lasted six hours and thirty-nine minutes.

Already in Washington.
At this time, I’m having conferences with representatives of protection firms – producers of highly effective weapons that may positively strengthen our safety. Specifically, we are going to focus on further provides of air protection programs. I may also meet at the moment with… pic.twitter.com/MRFmPARkq1

— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) October 16, 2025

Up to date: Later, Zelenskyy posted a video of his arrival in the USA on social media and outlined his plans for the subsequent two days.

Quote: "At this time, I’m having conferences with representatives of defence firms – producers of highly effective weapons that may positively strengthen our safety. Specifically, we are going to focus on further provides of air protection programs.

I may also meet at the moment with representatives of American power firms. Now, as Russia is betting on terror in opposition to our power sector and finishing up every day strikes, we’re working to make sure Ukraine's resilience."

Extra particulars: A gathering with US President Donald Trump is scheduled for 17 October.

Quote: "We anticipate that the momentum of curbing terror and battle that succeeded within the Center East will assist to finish Russia's battle in opposition to Ukraine. Putin is definitely no braver than Hamas or every other terrorist.

The language of power and justice will inevitably work in opposition to Russia as properly. We will already see that Moscow is dashing to renew dialogue as quickly because it hears about Tomahawks."

Background:

• Trump and Zelenskyy are set to fulfill on 17 October, with the doable supply of long-range Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine among the many key matters for dialogue.
• On 16 October, Trump held a cellphone dialog with Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin.

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Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin has advised US President Donald Trump that Tomahawk missiles wouldn’t change the scenario on the battlefield however would injury relations between Russia and the USA.

Supply: Russian outlet RBC, as reported by European Pravda

Particulars: In line with Putin's aide Yuri Ushakov, the dialog between the US and Russian leaders lasted practically two and a half hours and was "very substantive, frank and confidential".

RBC reported that through the name, Putin advised Trump that Russia "holds the strategic initiative" and that "the Kyiv regime resorts to terrorist strategies to which Russia is compelled to reply".

The leaders additionally mentioned the doable supply of long-range Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine.

"Putin reiterated that these weapons wouldn’t change the scenario on the battlefield however would trigger vital injury to bilateral relations," Ushakov mentioned.

He additionally confirmed that Putin and Trump mentioned the potential of one other high-level assembly and agreed that their groups would instantly start preparations for it.

Background:

• The US and Russian leaders held their first dialog in practically two months on Thursday. Following the decision, Donald Trump introduced that they might meet once more, this time in Budapest.
• On 17 October, Trump is scheduled to satisfy Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, with the doable supply of long-range Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine among the many fundamental subjects for dialogue.

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A bunch of eight Ukrainian kids has been introduced again from Russian-occupied territories to areas managed by Ukraine. A few of them endured bullying and threats of being separated from their households, and witnessed interrogations of family.

Supply: Convey Children Again initiative

Particulars: The youngest, 18-month-old Yaroslav, was virtually taken from his mom by Russian forces at a filtration checkpoint. The Russians tried to separate the kid from his mom after discovering a contact with a Ukrainian soldier on her telephone.

Myroslav additionally managed to flee along with his household. After the full-scale invasion started, they had been taken below the guise of "evacuation" to a hangar, the place they had been pressured to acquire Russian paperwork.

Polina, 17, is now safely on Ukrainian-controlled territory. She witnessed Russian troops storm her household dwelling and brutally beat and interrogate her family.

In colleges below occupation the place Russian curricula had been imposed, 16-year-old Zlata and 13-year-old Yeva had been bullied for talking Ukrainian.

"The occupiers forcibly enrolled Yeva within the Motion of the First – an organisation that militarises kids and prepares them for service within the aggressor state's military. Her grownup sister with a baby was additionally 'evacuated' to Russia, the place she ended up in a psychiatric hospital," Convey Children Again reported.

Matvii, 10, was additionally in a position to depart the occupied territory. His father refused Russian paperwork and taught him at dwelling following the Ukrainian faculty programme. The boy was hidden indoors to stop Russian authorities from forcing him to attend colleges the place Russian curricula had been launched.

"Right this moment all of the rescued kids are secure, receiving help to revive their paperwork, psychological help and the required care to begin a brand new chapter of their lives," the initiative added.

Background: Earlier, Ukraine efficiently introduced again a 20-year-old man who had spent almost half his life in Russian-occupied Crimea.

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Committees of the European Parliament have supported proposals for the EU's full rejection of Russian gasoline and oil.

Supply: press service for the European Parliament, as reported by European Pravda

Particulars: On 16 October, the Committees on Business, Analysis and Vitality and on Worldwide Commerce authorised draft plans to ban imports of any Russian gasoline, together with LNG, into the EU from 1 January 2026.

Sure exceptions are offered just for current short-term contracts (till 17 June 2026) and long-term contracts (till 1 January 2027), offered they have been signed earlier than 17 June 2025.

The proposed measures permit vitality operators to terminate contracts by invoking drive majeure, which can embody a legally binding ban on additional imports.

The draft additionally proposes banning the short-term storage of Russian-origin gasoline throughout the EU from 1 January 2026.

To shut loopholes and scale back the chance of circumvention, operators shall be required to offer extra detailed proof of the nation of origin.

From the identical date, the import of all Russian oil and petroleum merchandise can be to be banned, alongside extra safeguards and more durable penalties for bypassing the restrictions.

As well as, MEPs eliminated a clause that may have allowed the European Fee to quickly droop the import ban in conditions posing a menace to the EU's vitality safety.

The laws was adopted by 83 votes in favour, 9 in opposition to, and 1 abstention.

The press service famous that MEPs backed the choice on the grounds that Russia has systematically used its vitality assets as a weapon for 20 years, a observe that has intensified since its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Background:

• The EU can be negotiating a brand new sanctions bundle in opposition to Russia that may ban imports of liquefied pure gasoline a 12 months earlier, from January 2027.
• The brand new sanctions bundle additionally proposes blacklisting greater than 100 vessels belonging to Russia's shadow fleet.

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Russian forces launched two ballistic missiles on a Ukrainian Floor Forces coaching unit on Thursday 16 October, killing and injuring a number of individuals.

Supply: Operational Command Pivden (South)

Quote: "Russia launched a large-scale mixed strike on Ukraine, notably by firing two ballistic missiles on a coaching unit operated by the Ukrainian Floor Forces, situated in a comparatively calm rear space of our nation (the precise location shouldn’t be specified – ed.).

Regardless of the air-raid warning, relocation to shelters and different safety measures, it was not attainable to completely keep away from casualties from the enemy strikes. The suitable companies are working on the scene. The wounded are receiving all vital medical help. Service members of the unit will have the ability to contact their family shortly."

Particulars: The Army Regulation Enforcement Service is reported to be conducting an official investigation into the incident, following a choice by Oleksandr Syrskyi, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

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The shift in US President Donald Trump's stance on Ukraine is turning into more and more evident, giving the Ukrainian aspect hope for a harder strategy from the White Home chief in direction of Russia to push it into negotiations.

Supply: Politico, a Brussels-based politics and coverage information organisation, as reported by European Pravda

Particulars: Sources informed Politico that one cause Trump has develop into extra beneficial in direction of Ukraine was his joint summit with Kremlin ruler Vladimir Putin in Alaska.

Politico remembers that Trump greeted Putin warmly in Alaska, rolling out the crimson carpet for him even if Putin's navy continues committing battle crimes in Ukraine beneath his orders.

Putin was obtained on US soil as a pal somewhat than because the chief of a rogue state that had invaded a sovereign European nation, and all this came about with none prior settlement on severe concessions or a ceasefire.

The Russian ruler left Anchorage with out agreeing to a truce, regardless of Trump saying throughout their joint press convention that the Russian chief was looking for to avoid wasting 1000’s of lives.

A Republican international coverage insider mentioned that after the Alaska assembly, Putin confirmed no concern for human life, and continued strikes on civilian targets in Ukraine have largely influenced Trump's change of stance.

"Trump wanted time to know who Putin actually is," the supply mentioned.

The insider added that Trump was infuriated by the media's protection of the summit, which described it as a "Putin triumph".

In the meantime, European leaders whom Trump likes have tried to ease tensions between the US president and his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskyy after their on-camera spat within the Oval Workplace.

The Republican insider named key figures on this course of as UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Finnish President Alexander Stubb, NATO Secretary Basic Mark Rutte and Starmer's nationwide safety adviser Jonathan Powell.

The supply additionally mentioned that Britain's King Charles performed a decisive position by "telling Trump that Ukraine is nice, and that has actually modified Trump's view of Ukraine".

The insider additionally credited Zelenskyy for working diligently on his relationship with Trump and being cautious in his subsequent statements.

Quote from the supply: "It’s a must to perceive that for the reason that battle started, Zelenskyy and [Andrii] Yermak [Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine] had been used to being handled as rock stars, as world celebrities, after which Trump enters and says: 'there's solely room for one diva right here – me'. That's why we had the Oval Workplace blow-up."

Particulars: Proof of bettering relations consists of more and more pleasant conferences between Trump and Zelenskyy, the warmest of which came about on the sidelines of the UN Basic Meeting final month, when Trump praised the Ukrainian chief as a "courageous man".

Amongst different elements which have formed Trump's altering view of Ukraine, one other Republican international coverage adviser talked about China's reception of Putin and North Korean chief Kim Jong Un final month.

"The easiest way to get again at Putin is to reward Zelenskyy – that's how Trump sees it," the adviser mentioned.

To that finish, Washington has just lately elevated intelligence sharing with Ukrainian defence forces to help in strikes on power services deep inside Russia.

Background:

• Earlier, Politico reported that Trump is "optimistic" concerning the prospects of reaching peace in Ukraine after the profitable ceasefire settlement between Israel and Hamas and the discharge of hostages.
• After the Putin-Trump assembly in Alaska on 15 August, the US president started publicly criticising Russia extra continuously for refusing to maneuver in direction of a settlement of the battle in Ukraine.
• Following his assembly with Zelenskyy, Trump even acknowledged that he believes in Ukraine's means to reclaim the territories occupied by Russia.

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Ukraine's Particular Operations Forces struck the Saratov oil refinery in Russia's Saratov Oblast on the night time of 15-16 October.

Supply: press service of the Particular Operations Forces; Basic Employees of the Armed Forces of Ukraine

Particulars: The Saratov oil refinery is one in every of Russia's oldest oil processing crops, previously often called the Kreking plant, and is a part of the Rosneft oil firm construction.

Its crude oil refining capability was 7.2 million tonnes in 2020 and 4.8 million tonnes in 2023.

The ability is concerned in supplying gas to the Russian armed forces.

Background: Precisely one month earlier, on 16 September 2025, Ukraine's Particular Operations Forces additionally struck this identical facility.

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Russian forces attacked gasoline manufacturing services in Poltava Oblast on the night time of 15-16 October.

Supply: DTEK, the most important personal vitality firm in Ukraine

Particulars: The assault has pressured the gasoline manufacturing services to droop operations.

Background: Russia has performed three large-scale strikes on gasoline infrastructure belonging to Naftogaz Group, the most important nationwide oil and gasoline firm of Ukraine, over the previous eight days.

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