Volodymyr Zelenskyy
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that heating in Ukraine will officially begin on October 28. He also noted that 70% of the funds needed for gas imports have been found.
President Zelenskyy urged Donald Trump to increase pressure on Chinese leader Xi Jinping to reduce his support for Russia. He also emphasized the need for European financial support for Ukraine for two to three years.
According to the head of the foreign policy department, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine systematically counteracts Russia's attempts to regain lost positions in the international arena, preventing its election to eight governing bodies of international organizations in 2025. This is an element of pressure and an important task of Ukrainian diplomacy.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with Croatia's Minister of Defense Ivan Anušić. The 14th and 15th packages of military aid were discussed, as well as the implementation of PURL and SAFE projects.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said that Ukraine is in a better position after new US sanctions against the Russian oil industry. These measures, along with the EU package, weaken Russia's economy and its ability to wage war.
President Zelenskyy stated that Pokrovsk is the main target of the Russian occupiers, and fighting is ongoing directly in the city. More than 100 combat engagements have been recorded in the Pokrovsk and Kostiantynivka directions.
Zelenskyy met with Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna. The parties discussed defense cooperation, drone production, long-range capabilities, and support for the Ukrainian military.
President Zelenskyy announced that at the Staff meeting, new defense needs were identified, along with tasks for working with partners on air defense supplies. The necessary systems are available from partners, so Ukrainian diplomacy must more actively prepare relevant decisions.
President Zelenskyy held a Staff meeting where tasks were set to expand the geography of long-range weapons use. Russian oil refining is already paying a tangible price for the war, and will pay an even higher one.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, on the Day of Ukrainian Writing and Language, thanked Ukrainians who teach the language in the temporarily occupied territories. He emphasized that being Ukrainian means being brave.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy predicts that new US sanctions against Russian oil companies could cut oil exports by 50%, leading to Russia losing up to $5 billion monthly. He also notes the rise of anti-American rhetoric in Russian media after these sanctions were imposed.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy believes that pressure on Russia through strikes on its military and energy facilities will force Putin to negotiate. He noted that Ukraine needs long-range missiles, but they will not have to be used immediately.
President Zelenskyy reported that the Russian army has lost 346,000 troops since the beginning of 2025, which corresponds to the number mobilized. Ukrainian intelligence revealed that Putin intended to occupy the entire Donbas by October 15.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that a short ceasefire plan would be developed within 7-10 days. He expressed doubt that Russian dictator Vladimir Putin would agree to it.
The United States of America expects Hungary to abandon the purchase of Russian oil. The US also calls on China to pressure Moscow to end the war against Ukraine, as Beijing supplies Russia with significant volumes of oil, gas, and dual-use technologies.
In Pokrovsk, Donetsk Oblast, urban battles are ongoing with enemy sabotage and reconnaissance groups that have infiltrated the city. Ukrainian defenders eliminated about 40 Russians on October 25-26.
The Swedish group Saab is considering opening a plant in Ukraine for the final assembly of components for JAS 39 Gripen E fighter jets. This is due to an agreement between Ukraine and Sweden on the purchase of 100-150 combat aircraft.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that Donald Trump had agreed to a ceasefire along the entire front line. Russian strikes on Ukraine triggered the US decision to impose sanctions against Lukoil and Rosneft.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk stated that Russia's economy is facing "dramatic" problems due to the war in Ukraine and new US sanctions. According to his predictions, internal troubles will only intensify Putin's aggression.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy refuted Russia's information about the encirclement of 5,000 Ukrainian servicemen in the Kupyansk and Pokrovsk directions, calling it a lie aimed at the United States. He noted that enemy activity in these directions this week was lower, and Ukrainian troops are in control of the situation.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced the completion of debris removal at the site of a Russian drone strike in Kyiv on October 26, which resulted in deaths and injuries. This week, the Russians used almost 1,200 attack drones and 50 missiles of various types against Ukraine.
President Zelenskyy hopes the war will not last ten years, but Ukraine is ready to fight for another two or three years, according to Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk. Tusk also noted that Ukraine has the right to attack Russia-related targets anywhere in Europe.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported that Russia used almost 1,200 attack drones, over 1,360 guided aerial bombs, and more than 50 missiles against Ukraine in a week. The aftermath of the night attack in Kyiv, which resulted in the deaths of three people and injuries to dozens, including children, is still being dealt with.
Ukraine is counting on the supply of 150 JAS 39 Gripen aircraft, the first of which should appear next year. President Zelenskyy stated that these aircraft are part of Ukraine's security guarantees.
Oleksandr Shtyl, Deputy Director General of the "Kyiv City Center for Disease Control and Prevention of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine," stated that as of October 25, the level of atmospheric air pollution in Kyiv meets the standards. This happened despite enemy shelling of some districts of the capital, which caused fires.
On October 26, 2025, Ukraine will switch to winter time, moving the clock hands back one hour. Psychologist Kateryna Kononova explained the impact of time change on the body and gave advice on adaptation.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that Russia has launched about 770 ballistic missiles and over 50 "Kinzhal" missiles at Ukraine since the beginning of the year. He emphasized the importance of Patriot systems for protecting cities and called on partners for cooperation.
The US President and the NATO Secretary General are pressuring the Italian Prime Minister for the country to join the PURL program. Giorgia Meloni is currently considering the advisability of such a decision.
Putin's special envoy, Kirill Dmitriev, believes that Russia, the US, and Ukraine are close to a diplomatic solution to the war. He noted that the meeting between Trump and Putin has not been canceled and will take place later.
The Kremlin's threats of military retaliation for the possible provision of Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine by the US are part of long-standing rhetorical efforts to convince the West of Russia's inevitable victory. ISW analysts note that Russia ignores the reality of minimal progress and high losses, using threats to conceal its own military weaknesses.