European Union
Riyadh is preparing a new offensive against the Houthis and is requesting military support from France, the United Kingdom and Germany. Saudi Arabia is also offering to protect Bab el-Mandeb.
European banks are increasingly blocking accounts and checking clients with Russian passports. Russia has been added to the list of countries with high money-laundering risks.
Dozens of residents of the occupied city of Oleshky are trying to leave the city on foot, by bicycle and moped, risking their lives due to the lack of a safe route. Lubinets called for a humanitarian corridor to be provided.
The Russian Foreign Ministry announced further strikes on Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities. Foreigners and diplomats were urged to leave the capital.
The G7 will immediately release up to 100 million barrels of oil and diesel over four months. Trump said that the United States would not restrict exports.
By the end of the year, Ukraine needs to receive $29. 5 billion from its partners for non-military expenditures. The EU guarantees €17 billion for defense, but the additional need amounts to $27 billion.
Marta Kos said that Ukraine joining the EU on January 1, 2027, is unrealistic. The European Commission expects new clusters to be opened by the end of 2026.
Brussels has not approved additional support, demanding reforms to unlock around €34 billion. The conditions include changes to VAT and platform taxation.
European Commissioner Andrius Kubilius called Russia's threats regarding Kaliningrad a psychological attack intended to cause panic in Europe. NATO is preparing response scenarios.
17 EU countries demand that nearly €900 billion for agricultural and regional policy be preserved in the 2028–2034 budget. The initiative is coordinated by Italy and Romania.
Edi Rama believes that Ukraine will not join the EU through the standard procedure. He called for creating a different path to membership for it.
On October 13, the EU may potentially open two negotiating clusters each for Ukraine and Moldova. Montenegro may close three chapters, while Albania may close one.
The EU and Ukraine have agreed to cover budgetary and defense needs through the end of 2026. The parties also agreed to coordinate funding on a monthly basis.
The mural in Tahrir Square was painted over ahead of Xi Jinping’s visit amid controversy over the depiction of the pharaohs. The design was created with the help of ChatGPT.
In September, Ukraine exported 2. 4 million tonnes of agricultural products without full access to the Black Sea ports. Kyiv is asking the EU for €1.1 billion for logistics.
The FAO Food Price Index rose to 136 points due to weather risks and disruptions in the Black Sea. The forecast for grain trade was lowered.
The European Commission provided Ukraine with €2. 9 billion after reforms were implemented in key sectors. Brussels emphasized the timeliness of further reforms.
Hungary welcomed the submission to the Verkhovna Rada of a bill on the educational rights of national minorities. The document expands the use of EU and Indigenous peoples’ languages.
Russia is creating a new shadow fleet of tankers to circumvent sanctions and preserve gas revenues. Britain has imposed sanctions on the vessels and individuals involved.
Brent is holding near $102. 28, while WTI is at $92.68 per barrel. The market is assessing the escalation between the US and Iran and the vulnerability of supplies.
Rumen Radev said that he is called pro-Russian because of his unconventional approach to peace. He called for strengthening dialogue with Moscow.
Kyiv has prepared a list of more than 20 Russian oligarchs for EU sanctions. Ukraine is also seeking the reinstatement of restrictions against Usmanov and Fridman.
Zelenskyy met with ambassadors of EU countries and discussed support for Ukraine, air defense, finances, accession to the EU, and sanctions against Russia. New coordination meetings are planned soon.
The EU has refused to provide Ukraine with part of the loan ahead of schedule due to doubts about the deficit assessment and demands for reforms.
Ukraine and the EU have agreed on sources of funding for budgetary and defense needs for 2026. They plan to allocate €45 billion for 2027.
Russia announced the expulsion of a group of Hungarian diplomats from Moscow, St. Petersburg, and Kazan. Budapest stated that it would maintain its presence.
The EU wants to use €20 billion in unused SAFE funds for a new call for defense projects with Ukraine. Its support shortfall in 2025 is estimated at €23 billion.
The US has called on the EU to release more than 40% of its diesel reserves over six months. France and Germany have the largest stockpiles in the bloc.
The European Commission condemned Russia's nuclear threats against NATO over Kaliningrad and stated that it would not give in to Moscow's intimidation tactics.
A married couple is suspected of passing information about NATO forces and support for Ukraine to Russian intelligence. One of them photographed a base from a private aircraft.