Donald Trump has said he doesn’t think Ukraine will win the war against Russia, just hours after it emerged that the US president had demanded that Ukraine cede land to end the war.
"They could still win it, I don't think they will,” the US president said during a meeting with Australian prime minister Anthony Albanese.
“But they could still win it. I never said they would win it. I said they could win anything can happen,” he added.
US secretary of state Marco Rubio will hold a phone call with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov, deputy foreign minister Sergei Ryabkov said according to Russian state news agency RIA.
It comes ahead of a critical Trump-Putin meeting, which does not yet have a date.
On Sunday, it was reported that Donald Trump has told Volodymyr Zelensky to accept Russia’s terms or risk facing destruction in an explosive meeting in Washington DC on Friday.
Trump reportedly aside maps of the Ukrainian frontline, urging Zelensky to surrender the Donbas region to Russia, seemingly adopting points Vladimir Putin made to Trump in their call the day before.
Zelensky was said to bring Trump back to endorsing a freeze of the current front lines.
Key Points
- Lavrov and Rubio to hold phone call soon
- Trump told Zelensky to accept Russia's terms or be 'destroyed'
- President Trump says Donbas will have to be 'cut up' to end war
- Trump says he expects Putin to keep some Ukrainian land in latest U-turn: ‘I mean, he’s won certain property’
- Zelensky offers to make drones deal with Trump for Tomahawk missiles at White House summit
Belarus seeks to work with Ukraine to end war after diplomatic isolation
22:06 , Alex CroftBelarus is looking to “find a consensus” with Ukraine, after enduring diplomatic isolation for supporting Russia’s invasion in February 2022.
Ivan Tertel, head of Belarus’ State Security Committee, said on Sunday that the country was ready to engage in dialogue with Ukraine.
“Our President works as much as possible in order to stabilize the situation in the region, and we’ve managed to balance interests of the parties in this extremely complicated situation with a tendency towards escalation," he said on Belarus One state TV.
“I am convinced that only via quiet and calm negotiations, by looking for a compromise we will be able to resolve this situation”.
He added that “a lot depends on the Ukrainian side.”
Zelensky to join 'coalition of the willing' meeting in London on Friday - Macron
21:01 , Alex CroftFrench president Emmanuel Macron has confirmed news we earlier reported that Volodymyr Zelensky was due to attend a meeting of Ukraine's allies known as the "coalition of the willing" in London on Friday,.
"This Friday, we will have a meeting of the coalition of the willing - partly virtual and partly in-person - in London, and President Zelensky will be there," Mr Macron said on Monday, speaking to journalists in Slovenia.
The so-called "coalition of the willing" - put together by France and Britain in February - has held talks for months at various levels to try to define plans for what they could contribute militarily for Ukraine and to deter Russia from attacking it again once there is a final truce.
Mr Zelensky on Monday painted his meeting last week with President Trump as a success that yielded progress on acquiring new air defence systems, in contrast to other reports that Trump had berated him with obscenities in the White House.
The Independent View | If Ukraine falls, it won’t just be Donald Trump’s fault
20:29 , Alex CroftFor a man who prides himself on conducting diplomacy by instinct and through personal relationships, Donald Trump’s susceptibility to Vladimir Putin has long puzzled observers – and rightly caused extreme distress to those who stand to lose the most from it. He really doesn’t seem to be able to see Vladimir Putin for what he is: a cunning, ruthless and cruel imperialist, and a danger to the West.
Some speculate that the Kremlin has explosive “kompromat” on the president – but, if so, Mr Trump has hinted that he doesn’t care. The possibility has, in fact, not prevented Mr Trump from occasionally standing up to the Russians.
Were the US president’s predilections more consistent, they might be easier for his allies to manage. But, capricious as he is, President Trump never quite seems to make his mind up about his Russian counterpart. He even openly says that he thinks his Russian counterpart might be playing him along. Any such impatience is, however, usually resolved with a conversation, face-to-face or over the hotline to the Kremlin, and Mr Trump starts spouting Kremlin talking points again. His special envoy, Steve Witkoff, seems equally hopelessly in thrall.
Read The Independent’s full editorial here:
Zelensky to visit Brussels and London later this week
20:00 , Alex CroftReuters news agency is reporting that Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky will travel to Brussels to attend a summit of the European Council on Thursday.
The summit is expected to discuss Ukraine and European defence, among other things, the European Union says.
Mr Zelensky is then expected to travel to London on Friday to attend a meeting of Kyiv's allies known as the "coalition of the willing".
Rubio and Lavrov discuss importance of further Russia-US talks
19:30 , Alex CroftWe earlier reported that US secretary of state Marco Rubio was due to speak with Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov on Monday.
The pair have now held the call, which comes following a call between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin last week, the State Department said.
Mr Rubio "emphasized the importance of upcoming engagements as an opportunity for Moscow and Washington to collaborate on advancing a durable resolution of the Russia-Ukraine war," State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott said in a statement.
News analysis | Russia inflicts terror on Ukrainian soil while Trump toys with Zelensky over giving up land
18:59 , Alex CroftRussian troops have pushed into the east Ukrainian city of Pokrovsk - and immediately begun the casual commission of war crimes with the murder of at least three civilians trying to flee the invaders.
In footage shared with The Independent, an elderly woman lies on the verge of a road by a level crossing, not far from the train tracks on the outskirts of the city, wounded, and still.
A few yards away a body lies on its back inert, dead. Nearby, another victim lies collapsed next to the bicycle they had loaded with supplies as the enemy approached, before desperately bumping the wheels over the rails. Slow and awkward he, or she, must have been an easy target for Vladimir Putin’s vanguard.
Our world affairs editor Sam Kiley writes from Kramatorsk, eastern Ukraine:
Russia inflicts terror on Ukrainian soil while Trump toys with Zelensky over land
The Independent's Sam Kiley reports from the frontline in Kramatorsk., eastern Ukraine
18:27 , Alex CroftTrump: I don't think Ukraine will win the war - but they could
18:00 , Alex CroftWe’ve just heard from Donald Trump, who has been speaking during a meeting with Australian prime minister Anthony Albanese.
The US president said he doesn’t think Ukraine will win the war against Russia, just hours after it was reported that he had demanded that Ukraine cede land to end the war.
"They could still win it, I don't think they will,” the US president said during a meeting with Australian prime minister Anthony Albanese.
“But they could still win it. I never said they would win it. I said they could win anything can happen,” he added.
Where is the Donbas region?
17:20 , Shaheena UddinUS President Donald Trump was said to toss aside maps of the Ukrainian frontline, urging Ukraine’s leader Volodymyr Zelensky to surrender the Donbas region to Russia.
Zelensky set to travel to London this Friday
17:20 , Shaheena UddinUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is set to travel to London to attend a meeting on Friday in what a closely-linked source has labelled a “coalition of the willing”, as reported by Reuters.
Zelensky stated on X, there will be "many meetings and negotiations in Europe" this week.
He added: “We are counting on results, and that’s important for all of us.”
Zelensky calls meeting with Trump a 'success'
16:50 , Shaheena UddinUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has labelled his meeting with Donald Trump last Sunday a “success” making progress on new air defence systems, despite reports that Trump insulted him at The White House.
The meeting ended with Trump calling for a ceasefire with forces in place.
Zelensky on Monday described Trump’s message as “positive”.
Three sources confirmed that Trump’s meeting with Zelensky was tense and involved repeated profanities.
"It was pretty bad," one of the sources said of the meeting. "The message was, 'Your country will freeze, and your country will be destroyed'" if Ukraine doesn't make a deal with Russia.
Previously Trump has said Ukraine must give up territory to make peace, but seems to have recently shifted his opinion. Last month he characterised Russia as a "paper tiger" and said Ukraine could potentially win back all its land.
Trump says 'Putin-Trump unity tunnel' is an 'interesting' idea
16:20 , Shaheena UddinDonald Trump said the idea of a Putin-Trump rail tunnel linking the US and Russia was “interesting” after it was floated by a Russian envoy late on Thursday night.
But when asked about it in Washington on Friday, Zelensky said "I'm not happy with this idea," prompting laughter from the US side.
The idea envisions a rail tunnel built under the Bering Strait, connecting the two countries, and allowing for joint exploration of natural resources.
Putin’s investment envoy, Kirill Dmitriev, suggested the idea after Trump’s call with Putin on Thursday.
"Imagine connecting the US and Russia, the Americas and the Afro-Eurasia with the Putin-Trump Tunnel - a 70-mile link symbolising unity,” he posted on X.
He suggested the project could be taken on by Elon Musk’s Boring Company, at a cost of $8bn (£6bn).
UK proposing powers to shoot down drones over military bases
15:50 , Shaheena UddinDefence minister, John Healey will announce on Monday that Britain is drafting new powers which will allow troops to shoot down unidentified drones above military bases, following a growing threat posed by Russia.
"Last month, we saw 19 drones cross the Polish border. Days later, Russian jets violated Estonia's airspace, while at the same time, Russia mounted a concerted campaign to subvert Moldova's election," Healey will say, according to an excerpt of his speech shared with Reuters.
"As we speak, we are developing new powers – to be put into law through our Armed Forces Bill – to shoot down unidentified drones over UK military sites," he will tell defence officials.
Ukraine cannot win against Russia, warns top British army chief
15:45 , Shaheena UddinUkraine cannot win its war with Russia and should negotiate peace terms with the Kremlin, according to Britain’s most senior army officer.
Field Marshal Lord Richards said Kyiv will not be able to drive Vladimir Putin’s soldiers out of Ukraine without the help of Nato forces - who won’t get involved on the ground.
Lord Richards, who was promoted to UK military’s most senior “five star” rank earlier this year and led Nato forces in during its troops surge in Afghanistan, said Ukraine’s allies have failed Kyiv.
“What we have done in the case of Ukraine is encourage Ukraine to fight, but not given them the means to win,’ the former chief of the defence staff told The Independent’s podcast World of Trouble.
Moscow disapproves of 'unacceptable' prospect of Ukraine receiving Tomahawk missiles
14:50 , Shaheena UddinThe Kremlin have expressed their displeasure at Trump’s previous proposal to supply Ukraine with long-rang Tomahawk missiles, despite the US President appearing to have backed down from the suggestion.
Moscow’s foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova has commented "It is unacceptable - without question," she spoke to Russian state-run news agency TASS.
"The idea of supplying missiles directly conflicts with the rhetoric of peace that Western officials often cite”, she said.
Trump has previously discussed using Tomahawks, which have a range of around 1,500 miles, but in recent days seems to have cooled off the idea. JD Vance on Monday said the US President "is certainly hearing that request" from Ukrainians, but he has not yet made he decision to give Tomahawks to Ukraine,"
Last Friday Zelensky confirmed that Trump was committed to keeping the missiles but will continue to discuss the proposal with him.
Lavrov and Rubio to hold phone call soon
14:35 , Shaheena UddinRussian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio will hold a phone call soon, according to Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov, as reported by Russian state news agency RIA on Monday.
They will discuss Russian-US relations and economic issues, Ryabkov said, but he did not confirm the timeframe of the meeting.
Russian and US officials will also have conversations in the coming days to prepare a presidential summit between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin.
EU agrees to phase out Russian gas imports by 2028
14:20 , Shaheena UddinEU energy ministers backed a proposal on Monday to gradually end Russian oil and gas imports by January 2028, according to the Council of the European Union.
The EU hopes to halt Russian energy imports to divest in the Kremlin’s revenues funding its war against Ukraine.
The approved plans would phase out new Russian gas import contracts from January 2026, existing short-term contracts from June 2026 and long-term contracts in January 2028.
EU Ministers met in Luxembourg to decide to approve these plans, but the law is not yet final. The rules must be negotiated with the European Parliament, which is still debating its position.
Currently 12 per cent of EU gas imports come from Russia, a reduction from 45 pet cent in 2022 before the invasion of Ukraine. Countries which still rely on Russian gas include Hungary, France, and Belgium.
Ukraine attacks Russian gas plant effecting Kazakh output
14:10 , Shaheena UddinA Ukrainian drone attack has hit one of the world’s largest gas plants, the Orenburg in Russia, impacting neighbouring country’s Kazakhstan production in the process.
The Orenburg was forced to halt its intake of gas from Kazakstan, according to the Kazakhstan’s energy ministry report on Sunday.
Production at Karachaganak oil and gas has been reduced by 25 to 30 per cent (down to between 25,000 and 28,000 metric tons) as a result , industry sources told Reuters on Monday.
Ukraine claimed responsibility for the gas plant attack, which took place approximately 1,700km east of the Russian border and at an oil refinery in the Samara region.
Kyiv has increased its attacks on Russian energy facilities since August in attempt to impede fuel supplies and funding in Moscow.
Orenburg might resume some gas intake from Karachaganak on Monday, sources said, but they declined to comment on when the supply levels would be restored to the normal level of 35,000-35,500.
Belarus seeks to work with Ukraine to end war after diplomatic isolation
13:55 , Maira ButtBelarus is looking to “find a consensus” with Ukraine, after enduring diplomatic isolation for supporting Russia’s invasion in February 2022.
Ivan Tertel, head of Belarus’ State Security Committee, said on Sunday that the country was ready to engage in dialogue with Ukraine.
“Our President works as much as possible in order to stabilize the situation in the region, and we’ve managed to balance interests of the parties in this extremely complicated situation with a tendency towards escalation," he said on Belarus One state TV.
“I am convinced that only via quiet and calm negotiations, by looking for a compromise we will be able to resolve this situation”.
He added that “a lot depends on the Ukrainian side.”
In Pictures: Ukrainians stand near their apartment buildings hit by a Russian drone strike in Dnipropetrovsk
13:35 , Maira Butt
Lithuania says there is no place for Putin in Europe
13:15 , Maira ButtLithuania’s Foreign Minister, Kestutis Budrys, made a bold statement about Russian President Vladimir Putin ahead of a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Luxembourg on Monday.
Responding to a question about a possible meeting between US President Donald Trump and Putin in Hungary’s capital of Budapest, he said there was no place for the leader in Europe.
“The only place for Putin in Europe that's in The Hague, in front of the tribunal, not in any of our capitals,” he said.
What is a Tomahawk missile?
12:55 , Shaheena UddinThe Tomahawk missile is a US-made long-range cruise missile typically launched from sea to attack targets in deep-strike missions.
First used in 1991 during the Persian Gulf War, the missiles have evolved considerably over the last 30 years.
According to manufacturer Raytheon, the most recent version, called the Block IV Tactical Tomahawk, or TACTOM, can switch targets while in flight, loiter for hours and change course instantly on command.
Its most recent use came in 2024, when the US and UK Navies launched Tomahawk missiles at Houthi rebel sites in Yemen.
Trump says he expects Putin to keep some Ukrainian land in latest U-turn: ‘I mean, he’s won certain property’
12:35 , Shaheena UddinDonald Trump told a Fox anchor that he expected Ukraine to make territorial concessions in any peace agreement his administration could potentially orchestrate between Kyiv and Moscow to bring the nearly four-year war between Russia and Ukraine to an end.
In an interview that aired on Sunday Morning Futures with Maria Bartiromo, the U.S. president indicated that under the terms of a deal authored by the White House, Russia would likely be allowed to retain territory it has occupied since February of 2022.
The Independent’s Washington, D.C correspondent, John Bowden, reports:
Trump says he expects Putin to keep some Ukrainian land in latest U-turn
What is in the EU’s five-year plan to defend against Russian attacks?
12:20 , Shaheena UddinThe 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 for national governments to buy, with hopes of encouraging member states to decide who will take the lead on projects. EU’s foreign policy chief said there must be a build-up of European defence capabilities.
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.
Peace summit will be held in Hungary due to Orban's good ties
12:05 , Shaheena UddinBudapest was chosen on Monday as the venue for an upcoming summit between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump, because Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has good ties with both leaders.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said: "Orban has quite warm relations with President Trump and very constructive relations with President Putin.
"And this, of course, greatly contributed to the understanding that was worked out during the last phone call," he added, referring to last week's conversation between Trump and Putin that led to them agreeing to meet in Budapest.
Orban, a nationalist and conservative, has been vocal in his criticism of Western countries backing Ukraine, which borders Hungary. Earlier this year, he claimed that Russia had already won the war and that Ukraine is “not a sovereign country”.
Russia accuses Ukraine of 'contradictory signals' hindering peace talks
11:50 , Shaheena UddinOn Monday, Russia claimed it was committed to seeking a peace deal with the help of the United States, but accused Ukraine of hindering the process with “contradictory signals”.
Kremlin spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov declined to comment on what Putin and Trump discussed regarding territorial issues during their phone call last week.
Russia confirms it will further boost ties with Iran
11:30 , Maira Butt“Iran is our partner,” the Kremlin declared on Monday as it confirmed Russia’s intentions to boost ties with Iran.
Russia is prepared to expand cooperation with Iran in all areas, the Kremlin said on Monday.
It comes as Russia’s special envoy is to meet with Ali Larijani, secretary of Iran’s top security body.
Moscow has historically had close relations with Tehran and joined calls to condemn US and Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear sites earlier this year. Israel said it had prevented the country from developing a nuclear bomb.
Zelensky speaks to Macron about applying joint pressure on Russia
11:20 , Shaheena UddinUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky spoke on Monday with French President Emmanuel Macron about applying pressure on Russia. The world leaders agreed to meet together in the near future.
“Now is the right moment to push the situation toward ending the war, and the most important thing is to fully seize every opportunity and apply the right kind of pressure on Russia,” wrote on X/Twitter.
“Pressuring the one who started the war is the key to a denouement. Emmanuel and I discussed all the current diplomatic aspects and our recent contacts with partners.”
Russia says it has captured a village in eastern Ukraine
11:10 , Maira ButtRussia’s defence ministry has said that its troops have taken control of the village of Molodetske in Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk region.
Europe to ban Russian gas imports by 2028
10:37 , Maira ButtThe European Council has agreed to gradually end Russian gas imports, with a full ban in place by 1 January 2028.
“Putin has shown that he doesn’t mind weaponizing gas,” EU Energy Commissioner Dan Jørgensen said as he outlined the plan earlier this year. “We do not want to fill up his war chest and support his war economy because who knows which countries will be next.”
Ukraine cannot win against Russia, warns British Field Marshal
10:20 , Maira ButtUkraine cannot win its war with Russia and should negotiate peace terms with the Kremlin, according to Britain’s most senior army officer.
Field Marshal Lord Richards said Kyiv will not be able to drive Vladimir Putin’s soldiers out of Ukraine without the help of Nato forces – who won’t get involved on the ground.
The Independent’s foreign correspondent Sam Kiley reports from Ukraine:
Ukraine cannot win against Russia, warns British Field Marshal
Where is the Donbas region?
10:13 , Maira ButtUS President Donald Trump was said to toss aside maps of the Ukrainian frontline, urging Ukraine’s leader Volodymyr Zelensky to surrender the Donbas region to Russia.
EU foreign policy chief says 19th package of sanctions against Russia to be adopted this week
10:00 , Maira ButtKaja Kallas, the European Union’s foreign policy chief, has confirmed that a 19th package of sanctions is to be adopted this week.
However, he added that approval for the scheme would not come on Monday.
Kallas expressed disappointment at Putin’s impending arrival in Europe ahead of a meeting with Trump in Budapest, Hungary.
“Regarding Budapest, no, it's not nice ... to see that really a person put to the arrest warrant by the ICC is coming to a European country,” Kallas said.
Lithuania’s foreign minister added earlier: “We must start working on a 20th sanctions package”.
Watch: Putin’s mini-coup in the White House has beaten Zelensky to the punch with Trump
09:42 , Maira ButtUkraine preparing contract for 25 Patriot systems, says Zelensky
09:21 , Maira ButtUkraine is expecting a huge boost to its military capabilities as it prepares to buy 25 air defence systems, President Volodymyr Zelensky has said at a press conference.
The contract would allow the country to defend against Russia’s aerial bombardments.
Short for Phased Array Tracking Radar for Intercept on Target, Patriot is a mobile surface-to-air missile defence system.
It can intercept aircraft, tactical ballistic missiles and cruise missiles, depending on the interceptor used.
'We stand where we stand on the frontline,' says Zelensky in response to Trump comments on borders
09:01 , Maira ButtAmid reports of a heated exchanged between President Volodymyr Zelensky and President Donald Trump on Friday, the Ukrainian leader said he is feeling “positive” about the discussion.
After meeting with Zelensky, Trump called for a ceasefire on the current frontlines. However, reports later emerged that the American leader had insisted Ukraine would have to make territorial concessions, according to the Financial Times.
“After many rounds of discussion over more than two hours with (Trump) and his team, his message, in my view, is positive – that we stand where we stand on the front line,” Zelensky said at a press conference on Sunday.
'Trump does not want escalation with Russia', says Zelensky of Tomahawk missiles
08:53 , Maira ButtUkraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky has said he does not believe President Donald Trump wants an escalation with Russia, when asked about the potential sale of Tomahawk missiles.
“In my view, Trump does not want escalation with Russia until he has had a chance to have another meeting with Moscow,” he said.
The Ukrainian leader said he would be willing to sell drones to the US in exchange for the missiles.
Zelensky also added that he would be willing to come to Budapest, where Putin and Trump are due to meet, if a trilateral meeting or “shuttle diplomacy” format were proposed.
President hasn't made decision on Tomahawks, says JD Vance
08:30 , Maira ButtPresident Donald Trump has not made a decision on supplying Ukraine with Tomahawk missiles, vice president JD Vance said at a press conference on Monday.
“We’re going to keep on walking down pathway for peace,” he said.
“Whether it takes us another few months another few weeks or God forbid longer than that we’re going to keep on working on it. How confident am I that this is going to get wrapped up I feel optimistic but the timeline is anyone’s guess.”
Asked about supplying Ukraine with the long-range missiles, he said: “The President hasn’t made that decision.”
He added that Trump is “certainly hearing that request”. He had previously expressed support for the idea.
Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky is eager for the weapons to provide a military boost to his forces, allowing them to strike deeper into Russian territory.
Russian overnight attack damages port and infrastructure, says Ukraine's deputy PM
08:14 , Maira ButtAn overnight attack by Russia has damaged part of the country’s port infrastructure and disrupted train connections to some ports, Ukraine’s Deputy Prime Minister, Oleksii Kuleba, wrote on Telegram on Monday.
He said that Russian attacks damaged railway infrastructure in Chernihiv, part of the country’s northern region.
Lithuania says there is no place for Putin in Europe
07:55 , Maira ButtLithuania’s Foreign Minister, Kestutis Budrys, made a bold statement about Russian President Vladimir Putin ahead of a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Luxembourg on Monday.
Responding to a question about a possible meeting between US President Donald Trump and Putin in Hungary’s capital of Budapest, he said there was no place for the leader in Europe.
“The only place for Putin in Europe that's in The Hague, in front of the tribunal, not in any of our capitals,” he said.
Ukraine peace must address root causes of conflict, says Russia
07:32 , Maira ButtRussia’s foreign ministry has insisted that any peace deal with Ukraine must address the “root causes” of the conflict.
Vladimir Putin cited several reasons for instigating the controversial invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, including what is considered to be a baseless goal to “demilitarise and de-Nazify” the country.
“We spoke about the root causes of the conflict not to prolong it, but precisely so that this outcome would be fundamental, so that it would be long-term and guarantee peace,” Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told TASS, the Russian state news agency.
Musicians ballet dancers perform in the underground shelter
07:10 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
Zelensky says US 'ready' to replace Russian oil
06:46 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarUkraine's Volodymyr Zelensky has claimed that the US is prepared to supply European countries with "as much gas and oil as is needed" to replace Europe's dependence on Russia.
"There should be zero Russian energy resources in Europe, and the signals from America are clear now - they are ready to supply Europe with as much gas and oil as is needed to replace Russian supplies," Zelensky said during his evening address.
"In our region there is the necessary infrastructure, there is the necessary potential that can help Europe’s energy independence much more," the president said.
He added that Kyiv has made a proposal to the US on the development of gas infrastructure.
Ukraine cannot win against Russia, warns top British army chief
06:33 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarField Marshal Lord Richards tells Sam Kiley that Ukraine has been given false hope by its Western allies and cannot triumph against Russia unless Nato forces join the fight.
Ukraine cannot win against Russia, warns top British army chief
Trump vows to keep 'massive' tariffs on India until Russian oil imports cease
06:20 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarUS president Donald Trump reiterated that Indian prime minister Narendra Modi told him India will stop buying Russian oil, while warning that New Delhi would continue paying "massive" tariffs if it did not do so.
"I spoke with Prime Minister Modi of India, and he said he's not going to be doing the Russian oil thing," Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One.
Asked about India's assertion that it was not aware of any conversation between Modi and Trump, Trump replied: "But if they want to say that, then they'll just continue to pay massive tariffs, and they don't want to do that."
Russian oil has been one of the main irritants for Trump in prolonged trade talks with India - half of his 50 per cent tariffs on Indian goods are in retaliation for those purchases. The US government has said petroleum revenue funds Russia's war in Ukraine.
Ukrainians stand near their apartment buildings hit by a Russian drone strike in Dnipropetrovsk
05:58 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarRussians modifying bombs for deeper strikes, says Ukraine
05:25 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarUkrainian prosecutors have claimed that Russia is modifying its deadly aerial-guided bombs to strike civilians deeper in Ukraine.
Local authorities in Kharkiv said Russia struck a residential neighbourhood using a new rocket-powered aerial bomb for the first time.
Kharkiv's regional prosecutor's office said in a statement that Russia used the weapon called the UMPB-5R, which can travel up to 130km, in an attack on the city of Lozava on Saturday afternoon. The city lies 150km south of Kharkiv, a considerable distance for the weapon to fly.
Russia continued to strike other parts of Ukraine closer to the front line. In the Dnipropetrovsk region, at least 11 people were injured after Russian drones hit the Shakhtarske area.
At least 14 five-story buildings and a store were damaged, said acting regional governor Vladyslav Haivanenko.
A Russian strike also hit a coal mine in the Dnipropetrovk region, affecting some 192 miners, who were brought to the surface without injuries.
Ukraine strikes major gas processing plant in Russia
05:18 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarUkrainian drones yesterday struck a major gas processing plant in southern Russia, sparking a fire and forcing it to suspend its intake of gas from Kazakhstan.
The Orenburg plant, run by state-owned gas giant Gazprom and located in a region of the same name near the Kazakh border, is part of a production and processing complex that is one of the world's largest facilities of its kind, with an annual capacity of 45 billion cubic meters.
It handles gas condensate from Kazakhstan's Karachaganak field, alongside Orenburg's own oil and gas fields.
According to regional governor Yevgeny Solntsev, the drone strikes set fire to a workshop at the plant and damaged part of it.
The Kazakh Energy Ministry, citing a notification from Gazprom, said that the plant was temporarily unable to process gas originating in Kazakhstan, "due to an emergency situation following a drone attack".
Ukraine's General Staff said in a statement that a "large-scale fire" erupted at the Orenburg plant, and that one of its gas processing and purification units was damaged.
Kyiv has ramped up attacks in recent months on Russian energy facilities it says both fund and directly fuel Moscow's war effort.
Trump says Donbas will have to be 'cut up' to end war
04:59 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarUS president Donald Trump has said that the Donbas region of Ukraine should be "cut up", leaving most of it in Russian hands, to end the war that has dragged on for nearly four years.
"Let it be cut the way it is," he told reporters aboard Air Force One. "It's cut up right now," adding that you can "leave it the way it is right now."
"They can negotiate something later on down the line," he said. But for now, both sides of the conflict should "stop at the battle line – go home, stop fighting, stop killing people.
"The US president reportedly told Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelensky to accept Russia’s terms or risk facing destruction in an explosive meeting in Washington DC on Friday.
Kremlin repeats Putin's war demands in response to Trump's peace plan
04:00 , Harriette BoucherTop Russian official has repeated the Kremlin’s war demands, seeking Ukraine’s full capitulation, as the US president Donald Trump rallies to end the war.
“Russian security council deputy chairperson Dmitry Medvedev responded on 18 October on his English and Russian language social media accounts to Trump’s 17 October call for both Russia and Ukraine to each ‘claim victory’ in Ukraine,” the Institute for the Study of War said.
“Medvedev claimed that this call is not applicable to Russia and that Russia needs a victory ‘with the conditions everyone knows’,” the US-based think tank said, adding that Medvedev is “likely referring to the Kremlin’s consistent pre-war demands to install a pro-Russian puppet government in Ukraine, Ukrainian neutrality and Nato abandoning its open-door policy, and limiting the size of Ukraine’s military as such that Ukraine could not defend itself against future Russian aggression”.
Ukrainians disappointed after Trump-Zelensky meeting fails to immediately secure Tomahawk missiles
02:00 , Harriette BoucherUkrainians shared their disappointment that the US may not provide Kyiv with long-range Tomahawk missiles, while work to repair the damaged power supply to the country's Zaporizhzhia power plant soothed other concerns surrounding Europe's largest nuclear plant.
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky met with president Donald Trump at the White House on Friday, after the US leader signalled that Washington could provide Ukraine with the long-range missiles Kyiv believes will help bring Russian president Vladimir Putin to the negotiating table.
Yet Zelensky ultimately left empty-handed — an outcome that dismayed, but did not surprise, many in the streets of the Ukrainian capital, who maintained their determination to end Russia's invasion of their country.
One Ukrainian military serviceman, Roman Vynnychenko, told The Associated Press that he believed the prospect of Tomahawk missiles for Ukraine was a political “game”.
“Ukraine won't get those missiles," he said.
Vynnychenko said Ukraine still needed to procure new weapons with or without American help, particularly as Russian drones and missiles continued to hit civilian infrastructure.
“Every day civilians and soldiers die, buildings collapse, our streets and cities are being destroyed,” Vynnychenko said.
White House says ‘Your mom’ when asked who suggested Hungary for Putin-Trump meeting
01:00 , Harriette BoucherTop White House officials told a reporter, “Your mom,” when asked who picked the location for president Donald Trump’s upcoming meeting with Russian president Vladimir Putin.
Trump announced Thursday that he will soon meet with Putin in Budapest, Hungary, to discuss an end to the war in Ukraine. The choice has raised questions, because Putin is wanted by the International Criminal Court. However, Hungary appears unlikely to cooperate with the warrant and is in the process of leaving the court, the Associated Press reports.
When HuffPost asked the White House who chose the location for the meeting, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt replied, “Your mom did.” White House communications director Steven Cheung also followed up with, “Your mom,” the outlet reports.
Karoline Leavitt says ‘Your mom’ when asked who picked Hungary for Putin-Trump talks
Trump says 'Putin-Trump unity tunnel' is an 'interesting' idea
Monday 20 October 2025 00:00 , Harriette BoucherDonald Trump said the idea of a Putin-Trump rail tunnel linking the US and Russia was “interesting” after it was floated by a Russian envoy late on Thursday night.
But when asked about it in Washington on Friday, Zelensky said "I'm not happy with this idea," prompting laughter from the US side.
The idea envisions a rail tunnel built under the Bering Strait, connecting the two countries, and allowing for joint exploration of natural resources.
Putin’s investment envoy, Kirill Dmitriev, suggested the idea after Trump’s call with Putin on Thursday.
"Imagine connecting the US and Russia, the Americas and the Afro-Eurasia with the Putin-Trump Tunnel - a 70-mile link symbolising unity,” he posted on X.
He suggested the project could be taken on by Elon Musk’s Boring Company, at a cost of $8bn (£6bn).
Russia attacks Ukrainian coal mine in latest attack on its energy system
Sunday 19 October 2025 23:42 , Harriette BoucherRussia attacked a coal mine in southeastern Ukraine on Sunday in its latest attack on the country’s energy system.
Ukraine’s largest private energy firm, DTEK, said it was the fourth Russian assault in two months on Ukraine’s coal mining operations.
The company said there were no injuries, and 192 miners were brought to the surface.
Trump told Ukraine it would 'freeze' if it didn't make a deal with Russia, sources say
Sunday 19 October 2025 23:28 , Harriette BoucherIn a tense meeting at the Oval Office on Friday, Trump contemplated giving security guarantees to both Kyiv and Moscow, which confused the Ukrainian delegation, Reuters reported.
Trump also pushed Zelensky to cede territory to Russia and resorted to profanity several times throughout the meeting.
A source, who described the meeting as “pretty bad”, said: “The message was, 'Your country will freeze, and your country will be destroyed'" if Ukraine doesn't make a deal with Russia.”
During his nightly video address on Sunday, Zelensky said: "We will give nothing to the aggressor, and we will forget nothing.”
Watch: Our full interview with Field Marshal Lord Richards
Sunday 19 October 2025 23:00 , Harriette BoucherZelensky calls for a "coalition of the willing" meeting as he returns home from the US empty-handed
Sunday 19 October 2025 21:30 , Harriette BoucherZelensky has called for a “coalition of the willing” meeting as he asks allies not to appease Russia upon returning home from his meeting with Trump.
“I have instructed our diplomats – and have already discussed this with many leaders – to prepare a meeting of the Coalition of the Willing in the near future,” Zelensky said in a statement.
“We in Europe need common and strong positions. And we will have them.”
The “coalition of the willing” is a group made up of more than 30 nations that have signed up to help defend a peace deal in Ukraine.
Putin talks are just another delaying tactic, experts say
Sunday 19 October 2025 20:30 , Harriette Boucherutin’s talks move was meant to make the US transfer of such weapons less likely, said Max Bergmann, a Russia expert at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.
“It does seem that Putin's outreach is perhaps designed to thwart the potential transfer of Tomahawks to Ukraine, so Putin is wanting to put that back in the box,” Bergmann said. “It strikes me as sort of a stalling tactic.”
Mykola Bielieskov, a senior analyst at Come Back Alive, a Ukrainian non-governmental organization that is a major procurer of military equipment for the Ukrainian armed forces, said Tomahawk missiles would level a playing field that is tipped toward Russia, but that they would not be a silver bullet.
“We don't expect Russia to crumble after one, two or three successful strikes,” Bielieskov said. “But it's about pressure, constant pressure. It's about disrupting the military-industrial complex.”
Since taking office in January, Trump has regularly threatened action against Russia, only to delay those steps after talks with Putin.
Trump told Zelensky to accept Russia's terms or be 'destroyed'
Sunday 19 October 2025 20:15 , Harriette BoucherTrump told Zelensky to cut a deal with Russia, warning that Putin said he would “destroy” Ukraine if it did not comply, the Financial Times reported on Sunday.
During Zelensky’s visit to the Oval Office, Trump insisted that he relinquish the eastern Donbas region to Russia, repeating points Putin had made to Trump in their call the day before.
People familiar with the matter told the FT that Trump tossed aside maps of the frontline in Ukraine, insisting that Zelensky surrender the entire region to Russia.
The meeting allegedly turned into a “shouting match”, with Trump “cursing all the time”.
Zelensky managed to bring Trump back to endorsing a freeze of the current front lines.
US ready to replace Russian energy supplies in Europe, says Zelensky
Sunday 19 October 2025 19:30 , Harriette BoucherZelensky has made proposals to the US around replacing Russian energy supplies, saying that there should be zero Russian energy in Europe.
“The signals from America are clear—they are ready to supply as much gas and oil as needed to replace Russian supplies,” he said.
US can't give all their weapons to Ukraine, says Trump
Sunday 19 October 2025 18:30 , Harriette BoucherTrump says the US can’t give all of its weapons to Ukraine after Zelensky visited the Oval Office on Friday, pushing for the supply of Tomahawk Missiles.
Speaking to Fox News, Trump said: “We can't give all of our weapons to Ukraine. We just can't do that. And I've been very good to President Zelenskyy and to Ukraine."
After his meeting with Zelensky, Trump suggested that the US may need to keep its Tomahawk missile supply for itself to avoid depleting its own stockpile.
"I have an obligation also to make sure that we're completely stocked up as a country, because you never know what's going to happen in war and peace," Trump said.
Zelensky believes the weaponry could help get Putin to the negotiating table.
Trump says the US is the only country to win a war and leave
Sunday 19 October 2025 17:30 , Harriette BoucherTrump falsely quipped that the US is “the only nation that goes in and wins a war and then leaves, like we did under president Bush in the Middle East.”
He made the claim in an interview with Fox anchor Maria Bartiromo, saying he expected Ukraine to make territorial concessions to Russia in any peace agreement.
“We go in, we blast the hell out of everybody, destroy the place, and then we leave,” he said.
His statements contradict earlier ones made on Friday, in which Trump falsely claimed that the US has “never had a president that solved one war.
“To the best of my knowledge, we've never had a president that solved one war, not one war,” Trump told reporters.
Trump says he expects Putin to keep some Ukrainian land in latest U-turn: ‘I mean, he’s won certain property’
Sunday 19 October 2025 16:27 , Harriette BoucherDonald Trump told a Fox anchor that he expected Ukraine to make territorial concessions in any peace agreement his administration could potentially orchestrate between Kyiv and Moscow to bring the nearly four-year war between Russia and Ukraine to an end.
In an interview that aired on Sunday Morning Futures with Maria Bartiromo, the U.S. president indicated that under the terms of a deal authored by the White House, Russia would likely be allowed to retain territory it has occupied since February of 2022.
Read our full story below.
Trump says he expects Putin to keep some Ukrainian land in any peace deal
Trump says he expects Putin to keep some Ukrainian land in any peace deal
Sunday 19 October 2025 16:18 , Daniel KeaneDonald Trump told a Fox anchor that he expected Ukraine to make territorial concessions in any peace agreement his administration could potentially orchestrate between Kyiv and Moscow to bring the nearly four-year war between Russia and Ukraine to an end.
In an interview that aired on Sunday Morning Futures with Maria Bartiromo, the U.S. president indicated that under the terms of a deal authored by the White House, Russia would likely be allowed to retain territory it has occupied since February of 2022.
On Sunday, Bartiromo asked Trump whether he’d gotten a sense from Putin during that conversation that he was “open to ending this war without taking significant property from Ukraine?”
Cutting in, Trump responded, “I did, I did.” But his answer shifted as the Fox host finished her question and asked whether Putin would return Ukrainian territory.
“Well, he's gonna take something. I mean, they fought and, he, uh, he has a lot a lot of property. I mean, you know...he's won certain property,” Trump said, before falsely quipping: “You know, we’re the only country that goes in, wins a war and then leaves.”
EU seeks maritime declaration to inspect Russia's 'shadow fleet'
Sunday 19 October 2025 15:58 , Daniel KeaneThe European Union's diplomatic arm, the EEAS, is urging member states to back a maritime declaration that would allow EU nations working with flag states to arrange inspections on Russia's "shadow fleet" of oil tankers.
Beefing up inspection rights is the latest EU proposal aimed at curbing Russian oil and gas revenue being used by Moscow to finance the Ukraine war.
EU foreign ministers are due to meet on Monday to discuss new measures against Russia, among other topics.
In early October, the Group of Seven industrialised economies (G7) agreed to work jointly towards this goal and target countries that help Moscow circumvent sanctions as well as those that have increased Russian oil imports.
"EU Member States increasingly demonstrate a renewed momentum for more robust enforcement actions tackling the shadow fleet (for example, France's action against the Boracay vessel, previous actions by Estonia on Kiwala, Germany on Eventin and Finland on Eagle S)," the EEAS background paper said.
Giant Russian gas plant suspends intake from Kazakhstan after drone strike
Sunday 19 October 2025 14:45 , Daniel KeaneThe Orenburg gas processing plant, the largest facility of its kind in the world, has been forced to suspend its intake of gas from Kazakhstan after a Ukrainian drone attack, Kazakhstan's energy ministry said on Sunday.
Orenburg regional governor Yevgeny Solntsev had said earlier on Sunday that the plant had been partially damaged and that the drone strike had caused a fire to break out at a workshop at the plant.
The fire was later put out, Russian media outlet Kommersant reported, citing the operator.
Ukrainian drones strike major Russian gas plant
Sunday 19 October 2025 14:00 , Daniel KeaneUkrainian drones overnight struck a major gas processing plant in southern Russia, sparking a fire.
The Orenburg plant, located in a region of the same name near the Kazakh border, is part of a production and processing complex that is one of the world's largest facilities of its kind.
According to regional governor Yevgeny Solntsev, the drone strikes set fire to a workshop at the plant and damaged part of it.
Solntsev said there were no casualties.Ukraine's General Staff said in a statement Sunday that a "large-scale fire" erupted at the Orenburg plant, and that one of its gas processing and purification units was damaged.
MoD investigating claims Russian hackers stole sensitive military documents
Sunday 19 October 2025 13:00 , Daniel KeaneThe Ministry of Defence is investigating claims that Russian hackers have stolen hundreds of sensitive military documents and published them on the dark web.
The files hold details of eight RAF and Royal Navy bases as well as Ministry of Defence staff names and emails, The Mail On Sunday reported.
Cybercriminals accessed the cache of files by hacking a maintenance and construction contractor called Dodd Group, the newspaper said.
A Ministry of Defence (MoD) spokesperson said: "We take a robust and proactive approach to cyber threats that could pose risks to national interests.
"We are actively investigating claims that information relating to the MoD has been published on the Dark Web.
"To safeguard sensitive operational information, we will not comment any further on the details."
Ukrainians disappointed after Trump-Zelensky meeting fails to immediately secure Tomahawk missiles
Sunday 19 October 2025 12:30 , Arpan RaiUkrainians shared their disappointment Saturday that the US may not provide Kyiv with long-range Tomahawk missiles, while work to repair the damaged power supply to the country's Zaporizhzhia power plant soothed other concerns surrounding Europe's largest nuclear plant.
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky met with president Donald Trump at the White House on Friday, after the US leader signaled that Washington could provide Ukraine with the long-range missiles Kyiv believes will help bring Russian president Vladimir Putin to the negotiating table.
Yet Zelensky ultimately left empty-handed — an outcome that dismayed, but did not surprise, many in the streets of the Ukrainian capital, who maintained their determination to end Russia's invasion of their country.
One Ukrainian military serviceman, Roman Vynnychenko, told The Associated Press that he believed the prospect of Tomahawk missiles for Ukraine was a political “game”.
“Ukraine won't get those missiles," he said.
Vynnychenko said Ukraine still needed to procure new weapons with or without American help, particularly as Russian drones and missiles continued to hit civilian infrastructure.
“Every day civilians and soldiers die, buildings collapse, our streets and cities are being destroyed,” Vynnychenko said.
With or without Tomahawks, Trump’s budding bromance with Zelensky is bad news for Vladimir Putin
Sunday 19 October 2025 12:15 , Arpan RaiWhen President Donald Trump announced plans for yet another sit-down with Russian president Vladimir Putin following a Thursday phone call between the two leaders, it looked like yet another sign that Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelensky was in for a rough ride when he visited the White House Friday.
Just eight months ago, the Ukrainian president and his delegation were unceremoniously ushered out of the West Wing after an unprecedented Oval Office shouting match that included scolding the wartime leader on his choice of clothing and his supposed ingratitude for the billions Washington has provided in defense aid and financial assistance since Russian troops invaded his country three years earlier.
At the time, Trump berated Zelensky, who’d come to Washington to press for yet more assistance to repel Moscow’s forces from his land, about how the Ukrainian leader was risking “World War Three” by keeping up a fight that he played no role in starting.
With or without Tomahawks, Trump’s budding bromance with Zelensky is bad for Putin
Zelensky remains hopeful on Tomahawk missiles
Sunday 19 October 2025 11:45 , Arpan RaiVolodymyr Zelensky remained hopeful of the US sending Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine after concluding his meeting with Donald Trump yesterday.
“It’s good that president Trump didn’t say ‘no’, but for today, didn’t say ‘yes,'" he told NBC News.
The US president signalled to Zelensky on Friday that he was leaning against selling him long-range Tomahawk missiles, weaponry that the Ukrainians were thought to believe could be a gamechanger in prodding Vladimir Putin to the negotiating table.
Zelensky, at the start of the White House talks with Trump, said he had a "proposition" in which Ukraine could provide the US with its advanced drones while Washington would sell Kyiv the Tomahawk cruise missiles.
But Trump said he was hesitant to tap into the US supply, a turnabout after days of suggesting he was seriously weighing sending the missiles to help Ukraine beat back Russia's invasion.
“I have an obligation also to make sure that we're completely stocked up as a country, because you never know what's going to happen in war and peace," Trump said.
“We'd much rather have them not need Tomahawks. We'd much rather have the war be over to be honest.”
Putin ‘demanded Kyiv surrender key territory’ in call with Trump
Sunday 19 October 2025 11:15 , Arpan RaiVladmir Putin demanded that Ukraine surrender key territory in a call with US president Donald Trump earlier this week, according to reports.
The Russian president wants Kyiv to give up Donetsk, a key military objective in eastern Ukraine that has been fiercely defended throughout the conflict, as revealed by The Washington Post.
Putin made the request to Trump on Thursday, just a day before Volodymyr Zelensky flew into Washington DC on Friday for a high-stakes meeting with the US president.
Trump says 'Putin-Trump unity tunnel' is an 'interesting' idea
Sunday 19 October 2025 10:45 , Arpan RaiDonald Trump said the idea of a Putin-Trump rail tunnel linking the US and Russia was “interesting” after it was floated by a Russian envoy late on Thursday night.
But when asked about it in Washington on Friday, Zelensky said "I'm not happy with this idea," prompting laughter from the US side.
The idea envisions a rail tunnel built under the Bering Strait, connecting the two countries, and allowing for joint exploration of natural resources.
Putin’s investment envoy, Kirill Dmitriev, suggested the idea after Trump’s call with Putin on Thursday.
"Imagine connecting the US and Russia, the Americas and the Afro-Eurasia with the Putin-Trump Tunnel - a 70-mile link symbolising unity,” he posted on X.
He suggested the project could be taken on by Elon Musk’s Boring Company, at a cost of $8bn (£6bn).
Ukraine cannot win against Russia, warns top British army chief
Sunday 19 October 2025 10:15 , Arpan RaiUkraine cannot win its war with Russia and should negotiate peace terms with the Kremlin, according to Britain’s most senior army officer.
Field Marshal Lord Richards said Kyiv will not be able to drive Vladimir Putin’s soldiers out of Ukraine without the help of Nato forces - who won’t get involved on the ground.
Lord Richards, who was promoted to UK military’s most senior “five star” rank earlier this year and led Nato forces in during its troops surge in Afghanistan, said Ukraine’s allies have failed Kyiv.
“What we have done in the case of Ukraine is encourage Ukraine to fight, but not given them the means to win,’ the former chief of the defence staff told The Independent’s podcast World of Trouble.
Ukrainian drones cause fire at Russian gas plant, governor says
Sunday 19 October 2025 08:59 , Arpan RaiUkrainian drones attacked a gas plant in Russia's Orenburg region, the local governor said this morning.
The attack has caused a fire to break out at a workshop which emergency services were working to put out.
The governor, Yevgeny Solntsev, said on his official Telegram channel that none of the plant's employees were hurt in the attack which left the plant partially damaged.
Solntsev said earlier this month that Ukrainian drones had tried to attack an unnamed industrial facility in the Russian city of Orsk near the border with Kazakhstan.
Unverified video posted to Telegram at the time showed an object smashing into a facility identified as the Orsknefteorgsintez oil refinery in Orsk.
Ukraine has stepped up its attacks on Russian refineries and other energy facilities since August to try to disrupt petrol supplies and deprive Moscow of funding.
Ukraine strike 'significantly' damaged Russian oil terminal in Crimea – ISW
Sunday 19 October 2025 08:29 , Arpan RaiThe Ukrainian strike this month on a Russia-controlled oil terminal in Crimea appears to have “significantly degraded” the facility, a US-based think tank monitoring the war said.
It is unclear when or if Russia will be able to repair the Feodosia oil terminal, the Institute for the Study of War said.
“Planet satellite imagery captured on 17 October and published on 18 October shows significant damage to multiple fuel tanks at the Feodosia oil terminal following Ukrainian strikes against the terminal on October 6, 7, and 13,” the ISW said in its latest update.
It added that Ukraine-based open source intelligence (OSINT) organisation Frontelligence Insight assessed that the October 2025 Ukrainian strikes destroyed or severely damaged at least 11 main oil storage tanks and at least six smaller day or additive tanks.
According to the Ukrainian General Staff reported on Wednesday that the Ukrainian strikes damaged at least 16 oil tanks.
“Frontelligence Insight noted that Russia will likely struggle to repair the Feodosia oil terminal and that Ukraine could strike any repaired facilities,” it said.
Ukraine’s sustained strike campaign on Russian oil refineries is imposing worsening gasoline shortages on occupied Crimea, the ISW said.
What is a Tomahawk missile?
Sunday 19 October 2025 06:54 , Arpan RaiThe Tomahawk missile is a US-made long-range cruise missile typically launched from sea to attack targets in deep-strike missions.
First used in 1991 during the Persian Gulf War, the missiles have evolved considerably over the last 30 years. According to manufacturer Raytheon, the most recent version, called the Block IV Tactical Tomahawk, or TACTOM, can switch targets while in flight, loiter for hours and change course instantly on command.
Its most recent use came in 2024, when the US and UK Navies launched Tomahawk missiles at Houthi rebel sites in Yemen.
Kremlin repeats Putin's war demands in response to Trump's peace plan
Sunday 19 October 2025 06:17 , Arpan RaiTop Russian official has repeated the Kremlin’s war demands, seeking Ukraine’s full capitulation, as the US president Donald Trump rallies to end the war.
“Russian security council deputy chairperson Dmitry Medvedev responded on 18 October on his English and Russian language social media accounts to Trump’s 17 October call for both Russia and Ukraine to each ‘claim victory’ in Ukraine,” the Institute for the Study of War said.
“Medvedev claimed that this call is not applicable to Russia and that Russia needs a victory ‘with the conditions everyone knows’,” the US-based think tank said, adding that Medvedev is “likely referring to the Kremlin’s consistent pre-war demands to install a pro-Russian puppet government in Ukraine, Ukrainian neutrality and Nato abandoning its open-door policy, and limiting the size of Ukraine’s military as such that Ukraine could not defend itself against future Russian aggression”.
Zelensky offers to make drones deal with Trump for Tomahawk missiles at White House summit
Sunday 19 October 2025 05:23 , Arpan RaiVolodymyr Zelensky suggested Ukraine could exchange drones for US Tomahawk missiles during his White House meeting with Donald Trump on Friday.
The Ukrainian president spoke during a press conference in the cabinet room as the leaders met for the second time this year at the White House, eight months after their disastrous encounter in February.
The tone was markedly different as Trump praised Zelensky for his “strength” as a leader – and choice of dress – before questions turned to the possible provision of long-range missiles, called into doubt in the wake of Trump’s call with Vladimir Putin on Thursday.
Zelensky offers to make drones deal with Trump for Tomahawk missiles at White House
Ukrainians disappointed after Trump-Zelensky meeting fails to immediately secure Tomahawk missiles
Sunday 19 October 2025 05:10 , Arpan RaiUkrainians shared their disappointment Saturday that the US may not provide Kyiv with long-range Tomahawk missiles, while work to repair the damaged power supply to the country's Zaporizhzhia power plant soothed other concerns surrounding Europe's largest nuclear plant.
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky met with president Donald Trump at the White House on Friday, after the US leader signaled that Washington could provide Ukraine with the long-range missiles Kyiv believes will help bring Russian president Vladimir Putin to the negotiating table.
Yet Zelensky ultimately left empty-handed — an outcome that dismayed, but did not surprise, many in the streets of the Ukrainian capital, who maintained their determination to end Russia's invasion of their country.
One Ukrainian military serviceman, Roman Vynnychenko, told The Associated Press that he believed the prospect of Tomahawk missiles for Ukraine was a political “game”.
“Ukraine won't get those missiles," he said.
Vynnychenko said Ukraine still needed to procure new weapons with or without American help, particularly as Russian drones and missiles continued to hit civilian infrastructure.
“Every day civilians and soldiers die, buildings collapse, our streets and cities are being destroyed,” Vynnychenko said.
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Repairs begin on Zaporizhzhia power plant lines as local ceasefire zones set
Sunday 19 October 2025 04:14 , Arpan RaiRepair work has started on damaged off-site power lines to Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant following a four-week outage, officials said.
IAEA director general Rafael Grossi said the work began after local ceasefire zones were established to allow for the repairs to proceed.
The plant currently produces no electricity, but needs power to ensure fuel in the reactors remains cool and no meltdown occurs.
"Restoration of off-site power is crucial for nuclear safety and security. Both sides engaged constructively with the IAEA to enable a complex repair plan to proceed," Grossi said in a post on social media platform X.
Both the Ukrainian energy ministry and the Russian-appointed management of the plant confirmed the maintenance works.
The Zaporizhzhia plant – Europe's largest, with six reactors – was seized by Russian troops in the first weeks of Moscow's 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
