Vladimir Putin
US President Donald Trump said that Vladimir Putin asked him to help settle the war in Ukraine during a phone call on October 16.
Donald Trump said that South Africa does not deserve a place in the G20 and refused to participate in the summit, which will take place on November 22-23. He believes that the country should no longer be part of the group.
The Russians have once again begun to speculate on the possibility of international journalists traveling to the front, in particular, they are announcing permission to safely enter Pokrovsk.
Vladimir Putin instructed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Defense, and the special services of the Russian Federation to prepare proposals for the possible resumption of nuclear tests. Andriy Kovalenko, head of the Center for Countering Disinformation, regarded this as an attempt to imitate the Cuban Missile Crisis and raise the stakes.
Russian propagandist Ekaterina Mizulina and singer Yaroslav Dronov, known as Shaman, got married in occupied Donetsk. Collaborator Denis Pushilin was present at the ceremony.
In Italy, there are calls to cancel the performance of Russian singer Ildar Abdrazakov, who is scheduled to perform at the Verona theater in 2026. The singer has become a confidant of Putin and heads a theater in annexed Sevastopol.
Russia expects official explanations from the US after Donald Trump's statements about the possible resumption of nuclear tests. Moscow and Beijing insist that all countries adhere to their obligations under the Convention on the Prohibition of Nuclear Tests.
New satellite images have revealed the large-scale construction of a road bridge across the Tumen River, which will connect Russia and North Korea. The bridge, almost 5 km long, is being built as part of an agreement signed last year during Vladimir Putin's visit to Pyongyang.
Putin will not participate in the G20 summit in South Africa; the delegation will be led by Deputy Head of Administration Maxim Oreshkin. Donald Trump's participation is also in question due to diplomatic tensions between Washington and Pretoria.
Vladimir Putin signed laws on year-round conscription into the army and sending reservists to protect critical facilities. This happened against the backdrop of Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian infrastructure.
In Russia, the government was urged to prepare a long-term development plan in the field of "rare and rare earth metals. " By order of Putin, the responsible ministers must approve a "roadmap" by December 1, 2025.
German Vice-Chancellor Lars Klingbeil called for a complete ban on Russian steel imports, including steel billets processed in the EU. He emphasized the need to strengthen European patriotism and support domestic steel production.
An American reconnaissance aircraft, a Boeing RC-135U, is circling over the Black Sea near Sevastopol, causing concern among Russian military personnel. The aircraft departed from Britain and flew over six countries for reconnaissance activities near the Russian Federation.
The head of NATO's Military Committee, Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone, stated that the Alliance will support Ukraine until negotiations to end the war. He considers the war protracted and a strategic defeat for Putin, despite Russia's successes on the battlefield.
The UK has continued to supply Ukraine with Storm Shadow cruise missiles for long-range strikes against Russia. This will provide Ukraine with supplies ahead of the winter months and increase pressure on the Kremlin.
Finnish President Alexander Stubb suggested that Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin could meet at the G20 summit at the end of November. He believes that the peace plan for Ukraine should move to concrete actions.
US President Donald Trump described the leaders of the Kremlin and China as "tough and smart leaders" who must be treated with utmost seriousness. He noted that negotiations with them are "not easy," considering them serious adversaries.
US President Donald Trump said that the Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin wants to trade with Washington. Trump also explained that the US did not impose high tariffs against Russia to end the war in Ukraine.
US President Donald Trump stated that Xi Jinping understands the potential consequences of a military attack on Taiwan. Trump declined to disclose how the US would act in the event of a Chinese invasion.
US President Donald Trump stated that the United States has enough nuclear weapons for multiple strikes. He confirmed plans to resume nuclear tests and said he had discussed nuclear disarmament with Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping.
US President Donald Trump stated that he is not currently considering the possibility of transferring Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine. He also noted that the conflict is not yet over and the parties will have to continue fighting.
Germany is reclaiming its role as a military leader in Europe, having lifted financial restrictions on its defense sector. Berlin is investing hundreds of billions of pounds in state-of-the-art tanks, artillery, fighter jets, and warships.
Ukrainian air defense has been strengthened with Patriot systems, made possible by Germany's support. President Zelenskyy thanked Chancellor Friedrich Merz for the joint step in protection against Russian terror.
According to Dmitry Peskov, the press secretary of the Russian president, a meeting between Trump and Putin is possible, but there is currently no need for it. He also said that such a meeting would require "work on the Ukrainian settlement."
First Deputy Head of Putin's Administration, Sergey Kiriyenko, arrived in occupied Donetsk region. He is responsible for propaganda and regional policy and is the author of the idea to invite foreign journalists to Pokrovsk and Kupyansk.
Kyrylo Budanov personally led the HUR operation in Pokrovsk, refuting Putin's and Gerasimov's statements about the alleged "encirclement" and "capture" of the city. Two special forces groups were landed by Black Hawk helicopters behind enemy lines.
The information from the Russian Ministry of Defense about the elimination of 11 HUR fighters near Pokrovsk is not true. Ukrainian intelligence is conducting stabilization measures in the Pokrovsk area.
In October 2025, 20 incidents of Russian violations of European airspace were recorded, including provocations with drones and aircraft. The intensity of provocations remained at the September level but decreased ahead of Trump's conversation with Putin.
German journalist Julian Röpcke received an invitation to visit Kupyansk and Pokrovsk from a producer of Russian "Channel One", but refused. The invitation came after Putin's statement about the alleged encirclement of Ukrainian troops in these cities.
The Russian Foreign Ministry published a collage where Zelenskyy and Starmer were placed next to Hitler, Chamberlain, and Daladier. In response, the Czech Foreign Ministry reminded Moscow of its cooperation with Nazi Germany in 1939.