Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked the EU for adopting the 19th package of sanctions against Russia, which covered the oil and gas sector, the shadow fleet, and the defense-industrial complex.
The Official Journal of the EU has published the content of the 19th sanctions package, adopted on October 23. The restrictions apply to 116 vessels of the "shadow fleet" and 44 legal entities from various countries, including Russia, Hong Kong, China, India, and Thailand.
The European Council is preparing a decision on financing Ukraine's needs in 2026-2027, including the procurement of military equipment. European Council President António Costa stated that support would continue "as long as it takes," and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized the need to increase pressure on Putin.
The European Union has adopted its 19th package of sanctions, targeting Russian banks, cryptocurrency exchanges, and organizations in India and China. The EU is also restricting the movement of Russian diplomats to counter destabilization.
Russian oil supplies to major Indian refineries will drop to near zero due to US sanctions against Rosneft and Lukoil. India, which purchased over 36% of its oil imports from Russia this year, will now seek suppliers in other countries.
Brent and WTI crude futures jumped 3% after the US imposed sanctions on Rosneft and Lukoil, forcing Indian buyers to reconsider purchases. This caused oil prices to rise, but experts doubt a long-term structural shift in the market.
The European Union is preparing to approve the 19th package of sanctions against Russia, which includes a ban on imports of Russian liquefied natural gas from 2027. The package also targets Russian banks, lenders in Central Asia, and cryptocurrency exchanges, expanding trade restrictions and blacklisting oil tankers.
India and the US are nearing a trade deal that could reduce tariffs on Indian exports from 50% to 15-16%. The agreement also includes a possible reduction in India's imports of Russian oil and an increase in exports of American corn and soybean meal.
Laparoscopic donor nephrectomy, first performed in 1995, is now used in over 90% of cases of kidney retrieval from living donors. This method has become the gold standard due to minimal invasiveness, rapid recovery, and low risk of complications.
Brent crude futures fell to $61. 05 a barrel, and US West Texas Intermediate crude to $57.3. This decline marks the third consecutive weekly drop, driven by concerns about a global supply surplus and slowing economic growth due to US-China trade tensions.
Today, October 19, marks LGBT Center Awareness Day, All-Ukrainian Human Responsibility Day, and Food Industry Workers' Day. Also on this day, World Humanitarian Action Day and International Gin and Tonic Day are celebrated.
At the aircraft factory in Komsomolsk-on-Amur, production has begun on the first prototype of the Su-75 "Checkmate," a light fifth-generation stealth aircraft. This project, first unveiled in 2021, is positioned as a more affordable alternative to the Su-57 and Western counterparts.
Andriy Kovalenko, head of the Center for Countering Disinformation, stated that a meeting between Trump and Putin in Budapest could be the beginning of the end of the Kremlin leader's illusions about an empire. This will happen if the Russian dictator recognizes reality after Trump's negotiations with Zelenskyy.
Donald Trump stated that India is completely stopping its purchases of Russian oil. Hungary, due to its single pipeline and landlocked location, cannot quickly change the situation.
Indian refineries Indian Oil Corp and Hindustan Petroleum Corp have purchased 4 million barrels of Guyanese crude oil from Exxon Mobil. This is a rare case of imports from South America, with delivery expected in late 2025 or early 2026.
Oil prices are down 3% for the week. This comes amid uncertainty over global supplies after Trump and Putin agreed to meet on the war in Ukraine.
US Vice President J. D. Vance stated on October 16 that Russia and Ukraine are currently not ready to conclude an agreement, despite diplomatic efforts. He noted that a settlement is still possible but requires significant work, and that tariffs are more effective than sanctions in influencing Russia.
Indian refineries cut Russian oil imports by 50% after "productive trade talks" with the US. Washington had been pressuring India for months to abandon Russian oil.
The Indian authorities commented on Donald Trump's words about refusing Russian oil. Delhi stated that the priority is to protect the interests of the Indian consumer and diversify energy sources.
Oil prices rose by 1% after Donald Trump's statement about India stopping purchases of Russian oil. Brent futures rose to $62.45, WTI to $58.84.
US President Donald Trump stated that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi assured him that India would cease purchasing Russian oil. Previously, the US imposed 50% tariffs on Indian goods due to these purchases.
The United Kingdom has expanded its sanctions list, adding Russian oil giants Rosneft and Lukoil, as well as the Indian company Nayara Energy. All assets of the sanctioned companies will be frozen in the United Kingdom.
Bitcoin stabilized after a fall, trading at $112,292. 5, amid trade tensions between the US and China. Markets expect a 25 basis point Fed rate cut in October with a 99.6% probability.
At least 22 children have died in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. The Indian regulator found diethylene glycol in three cough syrups produced in the country. The health organization calls for stricter controls and immediate reporting of the detection of these products in other countries.
India has signed an agreement with Great Britain for the supply of LMM (Martlet) light anti-aircraft missiles worth about $468 million. This decision will allow Delhi to diversify arms supplies and reduce dependence on Russian systems.
Japan is experiencing the most acute labor crisis in modern history due to an aging population and low birth rates, threatening the stability of all industries. The new leader of the Liberal Democratic Party, Sanae Takaichi, recognizes the need to attract foreign workers to solve this problem.
US President Donald Trump said that tariffs promote peace and that he will not cooperate with countries that wage wars. He reminded that his tariffs helped India and Pakistan reach a truce.
The joint Russian-Indian military exercises "Indra-2025" will last until October 15. Soldiers will be trained to combat international terrorism and conduct counter-terrorism operations.
The average daily volume of Russian seaborne oil shipments for the four weeks to October 5 was 3. 57 million barrels per day. This comes amid drone attacks on refineries, which are forcing the redirection of supplies to export terminals, straining their capacity.
Soldiers of the 63rd Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine captured a 22-year-old Indian who studied in Russia and ended up in the war due to drugs. He claims he did not want to fight and surrendered during the first assault.
