On October 16, Russian dictator Vladimir Putin convinced Donald Trump not to approve the transfer of long-range Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine. This happened on the eve of Volodymyr Zelenskyy's visit to the White House.
Russia and the United States have tentatively agreed on a visit by US President's special envoy Steve Witkoff to Moscow next week. US President Donald Trump confirmed Witkoff's visit to Moscow, where he will meet with President Putin.
The Russian government has approved a list of 42 specialties for which the admission of fee-paying applicants to higher education institutions is restricted. This decision is explained by improving the quality of education, but the real goal is to increase the number of young people in the army and in blue-collar jobs in the military-industrial complex.
Changes to the US peace plan, which emerged after meetings between American and Ukrainian negotiators in Geneva, could force Putin to reject the proposal. Russia will resist any deviation from the maximalist positions that were in the original plan.
Turkey seeks to facilitate direct contacts between the parties to achieve a just and lasting peace in Ukraine. President Erdogan maintains contact with both the Ukrainian and Russian sides.
US President Donald Trump stated that Russia has already made concessions in the peace plan regarding the war in Ukraine, and will further agree to cease hostilities and not seize new territories. He also announced that the issues of security guarantees for Ukraine and its accession to NATO would be resolved together with Europe.
Steve Witkoff, an envoy of the US president, had a phone conversation last month with Putin's aide Yuri Ushakov. He gave advice on how best to present Russia's proposals for a "peace deal" to Donald Trump.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced his readiness to cooperate with the EU on financial support for Ukraine based on frozen Russian assets. This should show Putin that he needs to negotiate.
Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andriy Yermak announced the visit of US Secretary of the Army Daniel Driscoll to Kyiv this week. The visit aims to finalize steps to end the bloodshed, based on agreements reached in Geneva.
Donald Trump stated that the 28-point peace plan for Ukraine has been finalized, with only a few disagreements remaining. He hopes to meet with Zelenskyy and Putin for final approval.
Hungarian Prime Minister Orban plans to visit Moscow for talks with Vladimir Putin. The meeting, according to journalist Szabolcs Panyi, could take place on November 28.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer downplayed reports of Ukraine's agreement to a peace deal, stating that it confirms satisfaction with the Geneva draft, which does not cover territorial issues. He emphasized that a just and lasting peace is only possible if Ukraine's sovereignty and its ability to defend itself are preserved.
The Ukrainian Defense Forces have refuted Russian claims about the capture of Kostiantynivka, Donetsk Oblast. Commander of the 19th Army Corps, General Oleksandr Bakulin, recorded an address from the city center, confirming that Kostiantynivka remains under Ukrainian control.
Russia's night attack with drones and missiles on Ukraine resulted in civilian deaths and injuries, and damaged homes and infrastructure. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha called it a terrorist response to the peaceful proposals of the US and Trump.
A poll by The Vandenberg Coalition showed that 72% of Donald Trump voters support aid to Ukraine and holding Russia accountable. The majority also supports intelligence sharing and selling Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine.
Russia is experiencing a growing shortage of vital medicines, particularly for people with diabetes and cancer. In a number of regions, insulin preparations are running out, and patients cannot obtain them by prescription for months.
Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson stated that Russian dictator Vladimir Putin must be forced to sit down at the negotiating table to end the war in Ukraine. He also emphasized the need to increase pressure on Russia by confiscating Russian assets in Europe.
The European Council has officially approved the EU's annual budget for 2026 with commitments of €192. 8 billion and payments of €190.1 billion. The budget is aimed at defense, migration, competitiveness, and crisis preparedness.
At Sunday's talks, the list of key points of the US peace plan was shortened. Discussions on territorial issues will likely take place at the meeting of the presidents of Ukraine and the United States.
According to Reuters calculations, Russia's energy revenues in November 2025 could fall by 35% compared to last year, to 520 billion rubles. This is due to falling prices for Russian oil and the strengthening of the ruble.
Vladimir Putin and Recep Tayyip Erdogan exchanged views on the situation in Ukraine, including American proposals for a peaceful settlement. The Turkish president expressed his readiness to facilitate the negotiation process by providing the Istanbul platform.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that Russian-American negotiations regarding the American plan are not scheduled. Moscow has not received information about negotiations involving the US, Ukraine, and European countries in Geneva.
US Senator Warner called the 28-point truce plan between Ukraine and Russia, proposed by the administration of Donald Trump, an "historically bad deal. " He believes that the plan means "the complete surrender of Ukraine" and could inspire China to aggression against Taiwan.
After Putin signed the law on mandatory three-year work experience for medical students, Russia is seeing mass expulsions from universities. Students do not want to fall into the scheme of "distribution" to depressed and frontline regions, which leads to a shortage of personnel and a deterioration of medical care, especially for children in the temporarily occupied territories.
President Zelenskyy stated that Russia started the war and does not want to end it, and Putin does not care about the losses. He thanked the US and personally Trump for the assistance provided, emphasizing the importance of a just peace.
Turkish President Erdogan will discuss the war in Ukraine and the grain corridor with Vladimir Putin on November 24. This conversation will take place after Erdogan's meeting with Zelenskyy.
The head of Russia's tax service, Daniil Yegorov, informed Putin about a 2 trillion ruble drop in oil and gas revenues. Russia's official budget deficit has already reached 4.2 trillion rubles, which is 4.3 trillion more than last year.
The Center for Countering Disinformation of Ukraine stated that Russia systematically turns the issue of water resources in the occupied territories into a tool of propaganda and justification for war. The Kremlin uses the "water issue" as a justification for the full-scale invasion, as well as to divert attention from real problems with water supply in the temporarily occupied territories.
European leaders are seeking to rewrite Trump's Donbas proposal, which they believe benefits Russia. They want any ceasefire to begin with a freeze of the conflict along the current line of demarcation.
Surveys show a worsening financial situation for Russians, with only 8% reporting an increase in wealth, while 23% report a deterioration. Only 24% hope for an improvement in their financial situation in the coming year.
