Volodymyr Zelensky will meet with Donald Trump in Washington to discuss the future of the war in Ukraine on Friday, just a day after the US president announced a new summit with Vladimir Putin in Budapest.
The US President will on Friday begin a flurry of diplomatic activity aimed at ending Russia’s invasion, a week after he helped strike a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
In a post on X, Zelensky said he would meet with representatives of defence and energy companies ahead of his meeting with Trump in the Oval Office.
“We expect that the momentum of curbing terror and war that succeeded in the Middle East will help to end Russia’s war against Ukraine,” the Ukrainian president said.
The US president held a two-hour phone call with Putin on Thursday, during which the Russian president congratulated him on the “Great Accomplishment of Peace in the Middle East”.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump said that Secretary of State Marco Rubio would meet with Russian officials next week, followed by a summit between himself and Putin in Budapest on an unspecified date.
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Trump has threatened to give Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine – but can they turn the tide of the war?
Key Points
- Trump and Putin to meet in next two weeks
- Russian president congratulates Trump for 'solving peace in Middle East'
- Farage says Putin is 'not a rational man'
- Zelensky touches down in Washington for Trump meeting
- Kremlin denies Trump’s warning that Russian economy set to ‘collapse’
What is in the EU’s five-year plan to defend against Russian attacks?
03:00 , Harriette BoucherThe European Union has unveiled four flagship projects to strengthen its defence capabilities against Russia by 2030, as recent airspace violations show that “Europe is at risk”.
The European Commission will submit the ‘Defence Readiness Roadmap 2030’ to EU leaders next week, essentially presenting them with a checklist of equipment to buy, with hopes of encouraging states to decide who will take the lead on projects.
What are the projects?
The European Drone Defence Initiative
As a top priority, the plans include the European Drone Defence Initiative, which aims to build counter-drone capabilities to detect, track, and disable rogue drones. The system is expected to be initially operational by December 2026 and fully functional in late 2027.
The Eastern Flank Watch
The drone system is part of the wider Eastern Flank Watch scheme, which aims to fortify defences along Europe's eastern border on land, in the Baltic and Black seas, in the sky, and against hybrid operations. It hopes to be fully functional by 2028.
The European Air Shield
The European Air Shield aims to protect member states’ airspace by creating an integrated, multi-layered air and missile defence shield to protect against all Russian air threats.
The European Space Shield
The fourth project is the European Space Shield, which aims to protect space assets and services against growing threats.
US may have to keep Tomahawks for itself, Trump says
02:00 , Harriette BoucherDonald Trump has suggested that the US may need to keep its Tomahawk missiles for itself, as Zelensky is expected to push for its supply at their meeting tomorrow.
He said: "Tomahawks. We have a lot of them, but we need them. We can't deplete” US stockpiles, the BBC reported.
The Russian president has warned Trump that supplying Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine would harm peace prospects and damage US-Russia relations, Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov told reporters.
Trump said: "I did actually say to him, 'Would you mind if I gave a couple of thousands of Tomahawks to your opposition?' I did say that to him. I said it just like that. He didn't like that idea,” according to the BBC.
"You have to be a bit light-hearted sometimes.”
Preparations underway for US-Russia summit, says Hungary's PM
01:00 , Harriette BoucherHungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said preparations for Putin and Trump’s summit in Budapest were underway.
Posting on X after a phone call with Trump, the president said: “Hungary is the island of PEACE!”
He previously said the meeting was “great news for the peace-loving people of the world.”
Putin congratulates Trump for 'solving peace in the Middle East'
Friday 17 October 2025 00:00 , Harriette BoucherMoscow rushing to renew dialogue over Trump's Tomahawk threat, says Zelensky
Thursday 16 October 2025 23:30 , Harriette BoucherZelensky expects the momentum from the ceasefire will help end the Ukraine war as Moscow tries to renew its dialogue after Trump threatened to supply Ukraine with Tomahawk missiles.
In a post on X, the president said: “Putin is certainly no braver than Hamas or any other terrorist. The language of strength and justice will inevitably work against Russia as well.
“We can already see that Moscow is rushing to resume dialogue as soon as it hears about Tomahawks.
“There must be no alternative but peace and reliably guaranteed security – and it is crucial to protect people from Russian strikes and assaults as soon as possible.”
'Putin is not a rational man', says Farage
Thursday 16 October 2025 22:46 , Harriette BoucherNigel Farage supports shooting down Russian fighter jets that violate Nato airspace, as he calls Putin “a very bad dude”.
“Clearly, Putin is not a rational man,” Farage said in an interview with Bloomberg.
“The idea that I’m soft on this is just nonsense.”
Farage has faced criticism that his stance on Moscow could hurt his chance of becoming Prime Minister.
In the interview on Thursday, he said he would support spending frozen Russian assets to help Ukraine, and may even deploy British troops to the country if he were to become PM.
Zelensky arrives in Washington ahead of meeting with Trump
Thursday 16 October 2025 22:30 , Harriette BoucherTrump and Putin to meet in next two weeks, says Trump
Thursday 16 October 2025 22:00 , Harriette BoucherTrump and Putin will meet in Budapest in the next two weeks, while foreign ministers Marco Rubio and Sergei Lavrov will speak beforehand.
Speaking at the White House, Trump said: "We have a problem, they don't get along too well, those two," Trump says, arguing that this requires separate meetings,” Sky News reported.
"This is a terrible relationship the two of them have."
Trump's call to Putin was initiated by Russia, says Kremlin
Thursday 16 October 2025 21:31 , Harriette BoucherTrump and Putin’s phone call was initiated by Moscow, Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov said.
The pair are now planning to meet in Budapest soon, the location of which was suggested by Trump and immediately agreed to by Putin, Mr Ushakov said.
He said the two countries will now quickly prepare for the summit, and the timing of the meeting will depend on how the preparations go.
Zelensky touches down in Washington to meet with defence and energy companies ahead of meeting
Thursday 16 October 2025 21:17 , Harriette BoucherZelensky has landed in Washington ahead of his visit to the Oval Office on Friday.
In the meantime, he is having meetings with defence company representatives, who produce powerful weapons that can strengthen Ukraine’s protection, he said. He is planning to seek out additional supplies of air defence systems.
Zelensky will also meet with energy companies.
“Now, as Russia is betting on terror against our energy sector and carrying out daily strikes, we are working to ensure Ukraine’s resilience,” he said.
Ukrainian officials hope for 'concrete decisions' on Friday as they prepare for Zelensky's meeting with Trump
Thursday 16 October 2025 20:44 , Harriette BoucherHigh-level Ukrainian figures, including Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko, are already in the US, planning ahead of Zelensky’s visit to the Oval Office on Friday.
Andriy Yermak, the head of Zelensky’s office, said they hoped for concrete decisions at Friday’s meeting.
Putin thanked Melania Trump for her 'involvement with children'
Thursday 16 October 2025 20:10 , Harriette BoucherDuring their phone call, Trump said Putin thanked the First Lady for her involvement in returning kidnapped Ukrainian children to their families.
“He was very appreciative, and said that this will continue,” Trump said in a post on Truth Social.
Last week, Melania Trump revealed that she had sent a letter to Putin in August regarding the fate of the thousands of children who had been taken by Russian forces during the invasion of Ukraine.
Putin responded in writing to signal a “willingness to engage” with Mrs Trump, she said.
“Since then, President Putin and I have had an open channel of communication regarding the welfare of these children,” she said.
Eight children had been rejoined with their families, according to Mrs Trump.
Putin cautioned Trump against supplying Tomahawks to Kyiv, Kremlin says
Thursday 16 October 2025 19:33 , Harriette BoucherPutin warned Trump that supplying Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine would harm peace prospects and damage US-Russia relations, Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov told reporters.
Zelensky is visiting Trump at the Oval Office on Friday where he is expected to push for the supply of Tomahawks.
Trump told reporters travelling with him to Israel on Sunday that he planned to discuss providing Kyiv with the weapons as a way to pressure Putin to end the war.
"Do they want to have Tomahawks going in that direction? I don't think so," Trump said on Sunday.
"I think I might speak to Russia about that."
Hungarian PM says Putin and Trump's planned meeting in Budapest is 'great news'
Thursday 16 October 2025 18:54 , Harriette BoucherHungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has applauded Trump and Putin’s plans to meet in Budapest in a post on X.
UK and EU try very hard to derail peace, says Russia
Thursday 16 October 2025 18:50 , Harriette BoucherFollowing Putin’s phone call with Trump, Putin's special envoy, Kirill Dmitriev, said in a post on X: “UK and EU warmongers try very very hard to derail peace prospects.
“But dialogue and peace and the US-Russia cooperation will prevail.”
Trump announced he would soon be meeting Putin in Budapest to discuss bringing an end to the war in Ukraine.
In a separate post, Mr Dmitriev said: “Hungary has been the voice of reason in Europe and a peacemaker.”
Trump believes Putin and Zelensky could still meet
Thursday 16 October 2025 18:38 , Harriette BoucherTrump still thinks it could be possible for Putin and Zelensky to meet, his spokeswoman said after their phone call on Thursday.
Following Trump’s two-hour call with Putin, Karoline Leavitt said the president was trying to move the ball forward on peace, Sky News reported.
Trump had hoped that Putin and Zelensky could talk after he met with Putin in Alaska in August, and Zelensky said he was ready to do so. However, Russia has not committed to a meeting.
Trump says phone call with Putin was 'very productive' as pair to meet in Budapest soon
Thursday 16 October 2025 18:25 , Harriette BoucherTrump has ended his phone call with Putin, saying it was “very productive” and that the pair will meet in Budapest soon to discuss bringing the war in Ukraine to an end.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump said Putin congratulated him on bringing “peace to the Middle East”, which he said had been “dreamed of for centuries.”
Trump said the “success” of the peace deal in Gaza would help bring an end to the Ukraine war.
High-level advisors from Russia and the US, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, are meeting next week. Trump and Putin will then meet again in Budapest.
No precise date was given for either meeting.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky will visit Trump in the Oval Office on Friday to discuss the future of the conflict, including the potential supply of Tomahawks to Kyiv.
Ukraine imposes emergency power cuts across every region
Thursday 16 October 2025 17:20 , Harriette BoucherUkraine's national energy operator, Ukrenergo, has imposed emergency power cuts across all regions following Russia’s continuous attacks on its energy system.
It announced the cuts on Thursday following a large Russian attack overnight, which targeted the energy sector, alongside civilians and civilian infrastructure.
EU reveals five-year plan to defend against Russian attack
Thursday 16 October 2025 16:57 , Harriette BoucherThe European Union has unveiled its plan to ensure that it can defend itself from a Russian attack by the end of the decade, as Russia continues to test its defences through airspace violations across Europe.
It will include the European Drone Defence Initiative, which aims to build counter-drone capabilities to detect, track, and disable rogue drones.
The system is expected to be initially operational by December 2026 and fully functional in late 2027.
As she unveiled the European Commission’s plan, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said danger would not disappear, even if the Ukraine war were to end.
"Russia has no capacity to launch an attack on the European Union today, but it could prepare itself in the years to come.”
The drone system is part of the broader ‘Defence Readiness Roadmap 2030’, which proposes four flagship European defence projects.
Ursula von der Leyen, the European Commission president, said: “The recent threats have shown that Europe is at risk. We have to protect every citizen and square centimetre of our territory.”
Trump confirms call with Putin has begun
Thursday 16 October 2025 16:31 , Daniel KeaneDonald Trump has confirmed that his call with Vladimir Putin is now underway.
He wrote on Truth Social: “I am speaking to President Putin now. The conversation is ongoing, a lengthy one, and I will report the contents, as will President Putin, at its conclusion.”
Recap: What are Trump's most recent comments on Ukraine?
Thursday 16 October 2025 16:17 , Daniel KeaneEnding the wars in Ukraine and Gaza were central to Donald Trump’s reelection pitch in 2024.
In the Middle East, a fragile ceasefire between Hamas and Israel is holding - despite a row over the return of hostages held by the militant group.
Now Trump will turn his attention to Ukraine. He had told reporters traveling with him to Israel on Sunday that he had planned to discuss the provision of Tomahawks to Kyiv with Putin as a way to pressure him to end the war.
"Do they want to have Tomahawks going in that direction? I don't think so," Trump said on Sunday. "I think I might speak to Russia about that."
Pictured: A residential building is seen on fire after a Russian strike in Nizhyn, Chernihiv
Thursday 16 October 2025 16:00 , Bryony Gooch
Trump and Putin to speak this evening before Zelensky's White House visit
Thursday 16 October 2025 15:48 , Daniel KeaneDonald Trump and Vladimir Putin will hold a phone call this evening - a day before the US president welcomes Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to the White House.
The White House confirmed an earlier report in Axios that the two leaders would speak, amid growing signs that Trump is willing to offer further military support to Ukraine.
Trump has recently voiced his frustration with Putin over a lack of effort on Moscow’s part to end the war in Ukraine.
Tomahawk missiles are Trump’s ace card for Ukraine – Zelensky says it’s time to play it
Thursday 16 October 2025 15:30 , Bryony Gooch
Tomahawk missiles are Trump’s ace card in Ukraine. Zelensky says it’s time to play it
Ukraine armed forces unload shells for M114 self-propelled howitzer in Donetsk
Thursday 16 October 2025 15:00 , Bryony Gooch
Ukraine in talks with international allies to raise funds for gas as energy infrastructures targeted
Thursday 16 October 2025 14:30 , Bryony GoochUkraine's cash-strapped government is in talks with international allies to raise funds to import more for gas the cold autumn and winter months.
Its air force said direct hits of 14 missiles and 37 drones were recorded overnight at 14 locations in the barrage, while 283 drones and five missiles were downed.
Russian drone strikes have also caused power cuts, with Ukraine limiting supplies to industrial consumers on Thursday.
Russia's Defence Ministry confirmed its forces had carried out a "massive strike" on Ukrainian gas infrastructure, which it said was supporting Kyiv's military, in retaliation for what it said were Ukrainian attacks on civilian infrastructure.
Kyiv has ramped up its own attacks on Russian oil refineries in border regions and beyond, including on an oil refinery in the Saratov region on Thursday. Zelensky, who is due to meet president Donald Trump on Friday during a visit to the US, issued a fresh appeal for more long-range capabilities for Ukraine.
"(Russian President Vladimir) Putin has turned a deaf ear to everything the world says, so the only language that can still get through to him is the language of pressure," he said.
"That is exactly what I will be discussing today and tomorrow in Washington."
Watch: Zelensky says preparations underway for his White House meeting with Trump
Thursday 16 October 2025 14:00 , Bryony GoochUkraine hit with over 300 drones and 37 missiles as Zelensky calls for United States help in ending war
Thursday 16 October 2025 13:30 , Bryony GoochZelensky has called on the United States and Europe to pursue “momentum towards peace” following a large Russian overnight assault.
Russia launched more than 300 attack drones and 37 missiles, a significant number of them ballistic, against Ukraine, the Ukrainian president said in a statement on social media. The strikes targeted people, the energy sector and civilian infrastructure.
“Infrastructure in the Vinnytsia, Sumy, and Poltava regions came under attack. In the Chernihiv region, the city of Nizhyn was struck – the post office was damaged, and one person was injured. In the Kharkiv region, the enemy targeted critical infrastructure and a State Emergency Service department. There are wounded.
“Recovery efforts are underway everywhere. Emergency services are working. And there is confirmation that the Russians are using double terror – attacking with ‘shaheds’ carrying cluster munitions and launching repeated strikes to injure firefighters and energy workers who are restoring damaged facilities.
He continued: “This autumn, the Russians use every single day to strike at our energy infrastructure. Putin has turned a deaf ear to everything the world says, so the only language that can still get through to him is the language of pressure – pressure through sanctions and pressure through long-range capabilities.
“Strong decisions are possible, decisions that can help. And this depends on the United States, on Europe, on all partners whose strength directly determines whether the war will be ended. Now there is an important momentum toward peace in the Middle East. In Europe, this is also possible. That is exactly what I will be discussing today and tomorrow in Washington.”
Last night brought strikes against our people, our energy sector, and our civilian infrastructure. Russia launched more than 300 attack drones and 37 missiles, a significant number of them ballistic, against Ukraine. Infrastructure in the Vinnytsia, Sumy, and Poltava regions came… pic.twitter.com/bH3TipG4d2
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) October 16, 2025
Recap: Zelensky says 'we have already prepared our part of the homework' for Trump meeting
Thursday 16 October 2025 13:00 , Bryony GoochPresident Volodymyr Zelensky has said that Ukraine is prepared for its meeting with US president Trump, taking into account military and economic “homework.”
He said in a statement on X: “We have already prepared our part of the homework ahead of the meeting with President Trump – both the military component and the economic one. Every detail is ready. The agenda of our meeting with the President of the United States is very substantive, and I thank everyone who is helping.
“This can truly bring the war closer to an end – it is the United States that can wield this kind of global influence, and we are doing everything to ensure that others around the world stand on our side in this effort.”
We have already prepared our part of the homework ahead of the meeting with President Trump – both the military component and the economic one. Every detail is ready. The agenda of our meeting with the President of the United States is very substantive, and I thank everyone who… pic.twitter.com/Jwpp5bdn5h
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) October 15, 2025
Lavrov warns Tomahawk missile supplies could derail US-Russia relations
Thursday 16 October 2025 12:30 , Shweta SharmaRussian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov said Moscow has warned that supplying Tomahawk missiles to Kyiv would deal a “colossal blow” to prospects of normalising relations between the US and Russia, which he said were already damaged by previous administrations.
He described Europe’s role in the Ukrainian conflict as pushing the US into “Trump’s war” and claimed European leaders were issuing “shameless ultimatums” to President Donald Trump.
"This will simply deal a colossal blow to the prospects of normalizing relations between Russia and the US, and of breaking out of the complete deadlock into which the Biden administration has driven these relations,” he said.
His comments come as the Trump administration weighs Kyiv’s request for long-range Tomahawk missiles ahead of Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky’s meeting with Trump.
Shipments of Tomahawk missiles are set to be a key topic when President Zelensky meets President Trump later this week.
Russia claims it is awaiting US 'response' to Trump-Putin summit
Thursday 16 October 2025 12:00 , Shweta SharmaRussian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov said Moscow is awaiting a response from Washington following the recent Alaska summit, Tass reported.
“We still expect a concrete response to results of the negotiations in Alaska,” Lavrov told Kommersant.
He added that Russia remains committed to the outcomes of the summit and is ready to discuss specific issues with the US at any level, including the presidential level.
Moscow is seeking clarity from Washington on follow-up actions and potential next steps after the high-level talks in Alaska in August, he said.
Ukraine needs up to $20bn in US weapons through Nato programme, defence minister says
Thursday 16 October 2025 11:30 , Shweta SharmaUkraine will need between $12bn and $20bn worth of military aid next year as part of a new Nato initiative to purchase US weapons, defence minister Denys Shmyhal said on Wednesday.
Speaking at a defence summit in Brussels, he added that Ukraine is capable of producing 10 million drones in 2026 with sufficient financing from allies, but that it also needs more long-range artillery shells as it fights Russian forces.
Ukraine says it struck Russia's Saratov oil refinery overnight
Thursday 16 October 2025 11:19 , Shweta SharmaUkraine struck Russia's Saratov oil refinery overnight, the Ukrainian military general staff said in a statement on Telegram on Thursday.
Ukraine's Special Operations Forces (SSO) said: "The Saratov Refinery is one of the oldest Russian oil refining enterprises, formerly known as the Cracking Plant, and is part of the Rosneft oil company.”
"The volume of oil processing as of 2020 is 7.2 million tons, and in 2023 it is 4.8 million tons. Recall that the SSO struck this facility exactly a month ago, on Sept. 16, 2025."
Videos purported to show a drone striking an oil refinery, where a fire subsequently broke out.
Saratov Oblast governor Roman Busargin said that at around 1am at night the defence ministry received information about a potential drone attack.
Operations at Saratov's airport were temporarily suspended, said Federal Air Transport Agency, also known as Rosaviatsiya.
Russia confirms it carried out a massive overnight strike on Ukrainian energy
Thursday 16 October 2025 11:10 , Shweta SharmaRussia's defence ministry said on Thursday that its forces had carried out a massive overnight strike on Ukrainian gas infrastructure which supports Kyiv's military in retaliation for what it said were Ukrainian attacks on civilian infrastructure.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said that Russia had launched a barrage of more than 300 drones and 37 missiles to target infrastructure across Ukraine in the overnight attacks.
Bessent says US expects Japan to stop buying Russian energy
Thursday 16 October 2025 11:00 , Shweta SharmaUS treasury secretary Scott Bessent said on Wednesday that he told Japanese finance minister Katsunobu Kato that the Trump administration expects Japan to stop importing Russian energy.
"Minister Kato and I also discussed important issues pertaining to the US-Japan economic relationship and the Administration's expectation that Japan stop importing Russian energy," Bessent said on X, after the two met on Wednesday.
Bessent and Kato met on the sidelines of the annual International Monetary Fund meeting, and the G7 and G20 finance leaders' gatherings held this week in Washington.
"Japan will do what it can based on the basic principle of coordinating with G7 countries to achieve peace in Ukraine in a fair manner," Kato told reporters, when asked whether Japan was urged by Bessent to stop importing Russian energy.
Tokyo has agreed with other G7 countries to phase out Russian oil imports in response to Moscow's 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
However, Japan continues to buy Sakhalin Blend crude, a byproduct of liquefied natural gas production at the Sakhalin-2 project, which is vital to Japan's energy security as it accounts for about 9% of its LNG imports.
ICYMI: IMF chief plans to travel to Ukraine, IMF spokesperson says
Thursday 16 October 2025 10:31 , Shweta SharmaInternational Monetary Fund chief Kristalina Georgieva intends to visit Ukraine at a time that has not yet been determined, an IMF spokesperson said on Wednesday.
Georgieva visited Ukraine in February 2023 and plans to visit again, but the timing is still undecided, the spokesperson said. The IMF chief's plans were first reported by Bloomberg.
Ukrainian officials met with backer countries, the IMF and the World Bank on Wednesday on the sidelines of the annual meetings of the IMF and World Bank in Washington.
Ukraine is in talks with the IMF about a new four-year lending program for the country that would replace the current four-year $15.5bn program with the Fund. Ukraine has already received $10.6bn of that amount.
"Our staff remains actively engaged with the Ukrainian authorities on macroeconomic policies aimed at maintaining stability, financing essential expenditures, and restoring debt sustainability with a view to continued IMF support," the IMF spokesperson said.
A new program is needed since the program agreed on in 2023 assumed the war would end in late 2025. With that prospect still not in sight, the assumptions underlying the initial loan have to be reworked, according to sources familiar with the process.
Nato chief mocks ‘broken’ Russian submarine as it resurfaces off English Channel
Thursday 16 October 2025 10:00 , Shweta SharmaNato chief Mark Rutte has mocked one of Russia’s submarines for “limping home from patrol”, claiming the vessel had been forced to surface because of technical problems.
Russia’s Black Sea Fleet denied its diesel-powered submarine Novorossiysk had suffered a serious malfunction, after it surfaced in French waters on the weekend and was escorted by Dutch authorities through the English Channel.
Mr Rutte’s public ridicule of Moscow’s military capability signals tensions between Europe and Russia continue to escalate in the midst of the war in Ukraine.
Nato chief mocks ‘broken’ Russian submarine as it resurfaces off English Channel
Nord Stream sabotage suspect wins reprieve in Italian court battle
Thursday 16 October 2025 09:30 , Shweta SharmaItaly’s top court has temporarily blocked the extradition of a Ukrainian man suspected of coordinating the 2022 Nord Stream pipeline attacks, his lawyer said Wednesday.
The suspect, identified only as Serhii K under German privacy laws, was arrested in August near Rimini on a European warrant issued by Germany over the explosions that damaged the Baltic Sea pipelines supplying Russian gas to Europe.
The Court of Cassation, Italy’s highest court, upheld an appeal against his transfer, agreeing with the defence that there was an “incorrect legal classification of the facts” underlying the European Arrest Warrant, lawyer Nicola Canestrini said.
The case will return to court on a date yet to be confirmed.
Canestrini added: “In light of today’s outcome, I will assess in the next few days whether the conditions exist to request my client’s release, as the legal basis for his detention has now been removed.”
The Nord Stream explosions in September 2022, widely described as sabotage, largely severed Russian gas supplies to Europe, escalating the Ukraine conflict and creating energy shortages across the continent. No group has claimed responsibility, and Ukraine has denied involvement.
German prosecutors said the suspect was part of a team that planted devices on the pipelines near Bornholm, and he faces charges including collusion to cause an explosion, anti-constitutional sabotage, and destruction of important structures.
Serhii K had previously challenged a ruling ordering his extradition to Germany, taking the case to Italy’s highest court.
Ukraine has relied on trains during the war - Russia is creating new technology to target them
Thursday 16 October 2025 09:00 , Shweta SharmaUkraine has relied on trains during the war - Russia is creating new technology to target them
As war rages on in Ukraine, the country has become reliant on its rail networks, which it has so far managed to keep running despite repeated strikes.
But officials and analysts are warning that advances in Russian drone capabilities and the growing tempo of attacks pose a serious threat to the vital infrastructure.
Read more below.
Ukraine relies on trains. Russia is creating new technology to target them
Rare anti-war protest in St Petersburg after singer's arrest
Thursday 16 October 2025 08:30 , Shweta SharmaSt Petersburg’s town centre saw a rare public display of dissent on Wednesday evening as hundreds gathered to sing anti-war songs.
In Kazanskaya Square, protesters joined in chanting the lyrics of Noize MC, a pro-Ukrainian rapper who fled Russia for Lithuania after the 2022 invasion of Ukraine:
“Where have you been for eight years, you f***ing monsters? I want to watch ballet, let the swans dance.”
Young Russians sing a forbidden song in St Petersburg.
— Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) October 14, 2025
Noize MC is a Russian pro-Ukrainian rapper forced to live in exile in Lithuania.
The crowd sings his song “Cooperative Swan Lake” in which he calls for Putin to be overthrown pic.twitter.com/qHrn1v1Gq6
The song had been banned by a St. Petersburg court in May.
The protest erupted after 18-year-old singer Diana Loginova was arrested by police for leading the crowd.
Loginova’s mother, Irina, told Russian media her daughter “has no political stance” and sang the song because it was “popular.” She added that Diana is a “patriot of our country,” loves Russia, and has no plans to leave or support Ukraine.
Public opposition to the war appears to be growing in Russia, fueled by mounting casualties and an expanding military draft.
Russia launched 37 missiles and 300+ drones in missile barrage
Thursday 16 October 2025 08:04 , Shweta SharmaUkraine’s president Volodymyr Zelensky has reported that Russia carried out a massive overnight assault, launching over 300 drones and 37 missiles across multiple regions of the country.
"This autumn, the Russians use every single day to strike at our energy infrastructure," Zelenskiy said on X on Thursday.
The attacks triggered air raid sirens nationwide and targeted both civilian and critical infrastructure, including energy facilities, as winter approaches.
Early reports indicate explosions in Kharkiv, Izium, Kropyvnytskyi, Poltava, and Chernihiv, though details on casualties and damage are still emerging.
Russia blames Nato for drone incidents over EU countries
Thursday 16 October 2025 07:34 , Shweta SharmaRussia's Federal Security Service (FSB) chief said on Thursday that Moscow has no doubt about Nato’s security services' involvement in incidents with alleged Russian drones over EU territory, RIA cited him as saying.
European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen proposed the creation of a defensive "drone wall" after about 20 Russian drones allegedly entered the airspace of EU and Nato member Poland last month.
Kremlin denies Trump’s warning that Russian economy set to ‘collapse’
Thursday 16 October 2025 07:19 , Shweta SharmaThe Kremlin on Wednesday dismissed Donald Trump's warning of Russian economic collapse, asserting its "considerable reserves" and strength to achieve President Vladimir Putin's goals.
Mr Trump had stated that Putin should settle the Ukraine war, which he claimed was making Russia "look bad", also mentioning "long lines waiting for gasoline" and predicting the Russian "economy is going to collapse".
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, while not directly commenting on Mr Trump's remarks, said Putin was open to ending the war and Moscow was grateful for Mr Trump's efforts.
"As for the Russian economy, it has a sufficient and considerable margin of safety to allow the country's leadership and all of us to implement the plans that we set for ourselves," Mr Peskov told reporters.
He also clarified the BRICS grouping, called "an attack on the dollar" by Mr Trump, was never aimed at other countries or their currencies.
Kremlin denies Trump’s warning that Russian economy will ‘collapse’
Ukrainian energy company halts operations after Russian bombardment
Thursday 16 October 2025 07:11 , Shweta SharmaUkrainian private energy company DTEK said that a Russian overnight attack on energy infrastructure halted operations at its gas production facilities in Poltava region.
"Overnight, the enemy once again attacked DTEK Naftogaz's energy infrastructure with drones and missiles," the company wrote in a statement on the Telegram messaging app on Thursday.
Pictures show impact from Russia's pre-dawn missile barrage
Thursday 16 October 2025 07:00 , Shweta SharmaPictures have emerged to show the immediate aftermath of Russia’s large-scale missile barrage across Ukraine on Thursday morning.
An apartment building in the Ukrainian town of Nizhyn, Chernihiv was in flames after a Russian drone strike.
Authorities have not yet released information on casualties or damage, and attacks remain ongoing.
Putin’s top ally warns if Trump gives missiles to Ukraine it could lead to ‘nuclear war’
Thursday 16 October 2025 06:31 , Shweta SharmaBelarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko, a loyal ally of Russia’s Vladimir Putin, has warned President Donald Trump that the U.S. handing subsonic Tomahawk cruise missiles to Ukraine would mean “nuclear war.”
Trump is reportedly considering a request by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for the Tomahawks, which have a 1,500-mile range that would enable Kyiv to strike much deeper into Russian territory, hitting strategic targets such as the invader’s enemy infrastructure, military bases, and munitions factories.
Zelensky has argued that ramping up the arms available to his country would increase the pressure on the Kremlin to agree to a peace deal.
Putin ally warns Trump giving missiles to Ukraine could mean ‘nuclear war’
Russia arrests viral street musician for anti-Putin performance
Thursday 16 October 2025 06:11 , Shweta SharmaPolice in St Petersburg have arrested 18-year-old street musician Diana Loginova after a video of her leading a crowd in singing an anti-Putin rock song went viral, local media reported Wednesday.
Loginova, who performs under the name Naoko with the band Stoptime, could face two administrative charges: “discrediting” the Russian military and organising an unauthorised public gathering. She may also face up to 15 days in detention.
The video shows Loginova in central St Petersburg leading the crowd in the lyrics of exiled rapper Noize MC’s “Swan Lake Cooperative”, a song referencing the Ozero dacha cooperative, formed by Putin’s friends in the mid-1990s.
In St. Petersburg, police detained street singer Diana “Naoko” Loginova for performing songs by “foreign agents” Noize MC and Monetochka.
— Natasha from Russia 🇷🇺 (@natashasrussia) October 15, 2025
Her latest performance of “Cooperative Swan Lake” a song mocking propaganda and longing for normal life went viral.(I’m not sharing it, don’t… pic.twitter.com/ZT33gyqeMB
The lyrics draw on imagery from the Swan Lake ballet, which became a symbol of the Soviet Union’s collapse in 1991.
In the viral clip, the crowd sings: “I want to watch the ballet, let the swans dance. Let the old man shake in fear for his lake.”
In May 2025, a court banned “Swan Lake Cooperative” as “extremist”, ruling that the song constituted “propaganda for a violent government overthrow” and a threat to the “moral and ethical development” of minors.
Trump has threatened to give Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine - but can they turn the tide of the war?
Thursday 16 October 2025 05:59 , Shweta SharmaAs Russia continues to bombard Ukraine with drone attacks, president Volodymyr Zelensky has made repeated and increasingly urgent calls for Kyiv to have access to more powerful and expansive weapons.
The US-made Tomahawk could be the answer to his problems. A long-range missile with huge potential for precision strikes deep in enemy territory, access to the weapon would provide Ukraine with a new kind of military might - and it may not be as far away as it once was.
Donald Trump has threatened to send Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine in a renewed push to get Vladimir Putin to end the war. With Zelensky set to visit Washington on Friday, the leaders have said the provision of the weapons will be a major topic to be discussed.
If Trump follows through on his threats, Ukraine could significantly expand its strike capabilities, enabling it to hit targets deep inside Russian territory, including military bases, logistics hubs, airfields and command centres that are currently beyond reach.
Trump may give Tomahawk missiles to Kyiv - but can they turn the tide of the war?
Trump plans ‘Ukraine Victory Fund’ financed by new tariffs on China
Thursday 16 October 2025 05:49 , Shweta SharmaUS president Donald Trump is preparing to launch a “Ukraine Victory Fund” that would be financed through new tariffs on Chinese imports.
Treasury secretary Scott Bessent has been instructed to present the proposal to European counterparts ahead of Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky’s visit to Washington on Friday, where the two leaders are expected to discuss military support and Ukraine’s long-term defence funding.
“President Trump has instructed the ambassador and myself to tell our European allies that we would be in favour of whether you would call it a ‘Russian oil tariff’ on China or a ‘Ukrainian victory tariff’ on China,” Bessent told reporters in Washington on Wednesday.
“But our Ukrainian or European allies have to be willing to follow. We will respond if our European partners will join us.”
The proposed “Ukraine Victory Fund” would effectively link China trade tariffs to the war effort in Europe, adding a new layer of economic pressure to Trump’s foreign policy.
From the ground: Ukrainians jolted awake by massive pre-dawn missile barrage
Thursday 16 October 2025 05:33 , Sam KileyUkrainians were woken before dawn by another massive missile attack and air raid sirens as Russia was reported to have launched long range missiles from Mig-31 fighter-bombers capable of carrying the hypersonic Khinzal rocket.
Kharkiv and Izium, Kropyvnytskyi (Kirovohrad Oblast), and Poltava, all reported the sounds of explosions.
A team from the Ukrainian presidency is in Washington DC in talks with US officials and defence manufacturers seeking supplies of badly depleted air defence systems.
The latest wave of attacks are part of an increased Russian effort to cripple Ukraine’s energy supply systems as winter approaches and heating becomes a necessity countrywide.
Further exploiting fog and rain, Russian forces have used the cover of bad weather to launch conventional ground attacks on Ukraine’s eastern front around Pokrovsk.
Rain, high winds and bad visibility inhibit the operations of Ukraine’s attack drones which have driven Russian armour from the battlefield over the summer.
Ukraine claimed to have seen off the latest Russian assault, but the limitations of drone warfare in winter weather is likely to be further exploited by Russia, which has also fast developed its own systems of unmanned killing machines extending front lines into strips of blasted territory manned by tiny pockets of soldiers hiding from the cheaply produced drones.
Russia launches massive pre-dawn missile barrage across Ukraine
Thursday 16 October 2025 05:23 , Shweta SharmaUkraine’s Air Force has issued a nationwide missile alert after Russia launched a large-scale attack in the early hours of Monday, targeting multiple regions across the country.
Air raid sirens sounded nationwide as Ukraine warned that Russian MiG-31 bombers carrying Kinzhal hypersonic missiles had taken off.
A second MiG-31 took off from the Savasleyka airfield in Russia’s Nizhny Novgorod region, according to Ukrainian officials, Kyiv Independent reported.
The Kinzhal missiles the aircraft carry can strike deep inside Ukrainian territory at supersonic speeds, making them difficult to intercept.
Explosions have been reported in Kharkiv, Izium, Kropyvnytskyi, and Poltava, according to the Ukrainian public broadcaster Suspilne. A second wave of blasts was later confirmed in Chernihiv, with additional detonations heard again in Kharkiv.
Authorities have not yet released information on casualties or damage, and attacks remain ongoing.
Ukraine’s Air Force said the assault involved ballistic and cruise missiles, as well as swarms of Shahed-style drones launched from multiple directions.
Hegseth warns Moscow of 'costs' if war does not end
Thursday 16 October 2025 04:45 , Shweta SharmaUS defence secretary Pete Hegseth has warned Moscow that Washington and its allies will “impose costs on Russia for its continued aggression” if the war in Ukraine does not end.
Speaking at a meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group at Nato headquarters, Hegseth said the US War Department was prepared to act “in ways that only the United States can.” He did not specify what those steps might entail.
His comments come as the Trump administration weighs Kyiv’s request for long-range Tomahawk missiles.
“Now is the time to end this tragic war, stop the needless bloodshed, and come to the peace table,” Hegseth said, adding, “This is not a war that started on President Trump’s watch – but it will end on his watch.”
Mr Hegseth urged Nato allies to boost spending on US-made weapons for Ukraine, citing a recent report that showed a sharp drop in Western military support for Kyiv in July and August.
"You get peace when you are strong – not when you use strong words or wag your fingers," he told reporters at Nato headquarters earlier in the day.
"You get it when you have strong and real capabilities that adversaries respect."
US pressures Japan to halt Russian oil imports
Thursday 16 October 2025 04:01 , Shweta SharmaUS treasury secretary Scott Bessent said he has urged Japan to halt all imports of Russian energy, signalling a harder line from the Trump administration toward allies maintaining limited trade ties with Moscow.
“Minister Kato and I also discussed important issues pertaining to the US–Japan economic relationship and the Administration's expectation that Japan stop importing Russian energy,” Bessent posted on X after his meeting with Japan’s finance minister Katsunobu Kato in Washington.
The two met on the sidelines of the IMF annual meetings and the G7 and G20 finance leaders’ gatherings being held this week in Washington."
Japan will do what it can based on the basic principle of coordinating with G7 countries to achieve peace in Ukraine in a fair manner," Kato told reporters, when asked whether Japan was urged by Bessent to stop importing Russian energy.
Tokyo has already pledged to phase out Russian oil imports as part of the G7’s coordinated sanctions response to Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
However, Japan continues to buy Sakhalin Blend crude – a byproduct of liquefied natural gas (LNG) production from the Sakhalin-2 project in Russia’s Far East.
The energy source remains crucial for Japan, providing about 9 per cent of its total LNG imports, a key component of its energy security.
IMF chief plans to visit Ukraine, Bloomberg reports
Thursday 16 October 2025 04:00 , Harriette BoucherThe International Monetary Fund’s managing director, Kristalina Georgieva, plans to travel to Ukraine, supporting its efforts to secure a new loan package in the fourth year of the war, Bloomberg has reported.
An IMF spokesperson said: “Our staff remains actively engaged with the Ukrainian authorities on macroeconomic policies aimed at maintaining stability, financing essential expenditures, and restoring debt sustainability, with a view to continued IMF support.”
The exact time of the visit is yet to be determined.
India to stop buying Russian oil, Trump claims
Thursday 16 October 2025 03:00 , Harriette BoucherTrump said on Wednesday that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has pledged to stop buying oil from Russia, India's top oil supplier, but could not halt its shipments “immediately”.
The announcement comes as Trump tries to step up efforts to cut off Moscow’s energy funding.
"Now I've got to get China to do the same thing," Trump told reporters.
The Indian embassy in Washington has not yet confirmed this.
Zelensky and Greek PM discuss possibility of U.S.-supplied natural gas
Thursday 16 October 2025 02:00 , Harriette BoucherZelensky and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis discussed the possibility of the U.S. supplying natural gas to Ukraine as it struggles with the consequences of Russia’s multiple attacks on the country’s energy system.
Ukraine’s president said he was working to strengthen its air defence as much as possible before winter begins.
Ukraine has prepared its 'homework' ahead of meeting with Trump, says Zelensky
Thursday 16 October 2025 01:02 , Harriette BoucherUkraine has prepared its “part of the homework” ahead of Zelensky’s meeting with Trump in Washington on Friday.
He says the agenda will be substantive, and the meeting could bring the war closer to an end.
Kremlin denies Trump’s warning that Russian economy set to ‘collapse’
Thursday 16 October 2025 00:00 , Nicole Wootton-CaneThe Kremlin has hit back at accusations by Donald Trump that the Russian economy is on its way to “collapse”.
Asked about Trump's remarks at an energy conference in Moscow, Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak, who oversees energy and the economy for the government, said that Russia had a stable supply of gasoline.
"We have a stable domestic market supply, we see no problems in this regard," Novak said.
"The balance is maintained between production and consumption, and we, on the part of the government and the relevant ministries, are doing everything to ensure that this remains the case."
You can read more below...
Kremlin denies Trump’s warning that Russian economy will ‘collapse’
Nato defence ministers agree 'counter-drone measures', Rutte says
Wednesday 15 October 2025 23:00 , Nicole Wootton-CaneA meeting of Nato country defence ministers have agreed additional counter-drone measures to step up support to Ukraine, chief Mark Rutte said.
In a post on X he wrote: “Excellent discussions with Defence Ministers, reaffirming increased defence investment, enhanced defence production & stepping up support to Ukraine.
“We will also implement additional counter-drone measures — #NATO is ready to do what it takes to keep our 1bn people safe & our territory secure.”
Excellent discussions with Defence Ministers, reaffirming increased defence investment, enhanced defence production & stepping up support to Ukraine.
— Mark Rutte (@SecGenNATO) October 15, 2025
We will also implement additional counter-drone measures — #NATO is ready to do what it takes to keep our 1bn people safe & our… pic.twitter.com/RMzlTo0edY
Ukraine has relied on trains during the war - Russia is creating new technology to target them
Wednesday 15 October 2025 22:00 , Nicole Wootton-CaneAs war rages on in Ukraine, the country has become reliant on its rail networks, which it has so far managed to keep running despite repeated strikes.
But officials and analysts are warning that advances in Russian drone capabilities and the growing tempo of attacks pose a serious threat to the vital infrastructure.
You can read more below...
Ukraine relies on trains. Russia is creating new technology to target them
Trump has threatened to give Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine - but can they turn the tide of the war?
Wednesday 15 October 2025 21:30 , Nicole Wootton-CaneWashington may give access to powerful Tomahawk missiles, with Moscow threatening to respond. Experts tell Nicole Wootton-Cane that the weapons could significantly boost Ukraine - but their power shouldn’t be overstated.
Trump may give Tomahawk missiles to Kyiv - but can they turn the tide of the war?
Watch: Zelensky confirms meeting with Trump in Washington
Wednesday 15 October 2025 21:00 , Nicole Wootton-CaneZelensky revokes citizenship of Odesa mayor accused of holding Russian passport
Wednesday 15 October 2025 20:30 , Nicole Wootton-CanePresident Volodymyr Zelensky stripped Odesa’s long-serving mayor Hennadiy Trukhanov of his Ukrainian citizenship after security services alleged he held a passport from Russia.
Mr Trukhanov, 60, who has governed the Black Sea port city for over a decade, rejected the accusation.
You can read more below...
Zelensky revokes citizenship of Odesa mayor accused of holding Russian passport
Ukraine needs up to $20bn in US weapons through Nato programme, defence minister says
Wednesday 15 October 2025 20:00 , Nicole Wootton-CaneUkraine will need between $12 billion and $20 billion worth of military aid next year as part of a new NATO initiative to purchase US weapons, defence minister Denys Shmyhal said on Wednesday.
Speaking at a defence summit in Brussels, he added that Ukraine is capable of producing 10 million drones in 2026 with sufficient financing from allies, but that it also needs more long-range artillery shells as it fights Russian forces.
Ukraine introduces power cuts in all regions, energy ministry says
Wednesday 15 October 2025 19:30 , Nicole Wootton-CaneUkrainian authorities are introducing emergency power cuts in all but two regions following earlier Russian attacks on the country's energy system, the energy ministry said on Wednesday.
Officials had earlier implemented planned power cuts in the Donetsk and Chernihiv regions.
Sharp drop in military spending in Ukraine, thinktank says
Wednesday 15 October 2025 19:00 , Nicole Wootton-CaneThere has been a steep drop in military aid spending in Ukraine over the the last three months, according to a report from a thinktank.
The analysis by the Kiel Institute in Germany shows military aid to Ukraine saw a sharp decline in July and August 2025, despite the introduction of NATO’s Prioritised Ukraine Requirements List (PURL) initiative.
“As military support for Ukraine increasingly depends on new weapons procurement—which often takes months or even years to implement—the NATO PURL initiative is an important vehicle to provide Ukraine with ready-to-use weapons from US stockpiles,” said Christoph Trebesch, head of the Ukraine Support Tracker and Research Director at the Kiel Institute.
“At the same time, the decline in military aid in July and August is surprising. Despite the NATO PURL initiative, Europe is scaling back its overall military support. What will be crucial now is how the figures evolve in the autumn.”
US can 'impose costs' on Russia if war doesn't end, Hesgeth says
Wednesday 15 October 2025 18:30 , Nicole Wootton-CaneUS defence secretary Pete Hegseth warned Moscow on Wednesday that the United States and its allies would "impose costs on Russia for its continued aggression" if the war in Ukraine does not come to an end.
"If we must take this step, the U.S. War Department stands ready to do our part in ways that only the United States can do," Hegseth said at a meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group of Kyiv's allies at NATO headquarters.
Hegseth did not elaborate. His comments came as US president Donald Trump's administration is considering a request by Ukraine for long-range Tomahawk missiles.
Recap: Former Russian president responds to Trump’s Tomahawk threat
Wednesday 15 October 2025 18:00 , Nicole Wootton-Cane
Former Russian president responds to Trump’s Tomahawk threat
