United States
On October 17, Donald Trump urged Volodymyr Zelenskyy to agree to Moscow's terms to end the war, citing Putin's threats to "destroy" Ukraine. Trump insisted on handing over control of Donbas and reiterated the Kremlin's arguments.
The Parliament of Republika Srpska officially approved the resignation of pro-Russian leader Milorad Dodik and appointed Ana Trišić Babić as interim president until the November 23 elections. This decision was the first official confirmation of Dodik's loss of office after a court ban on political activity.
South Korea has decided to deploy the newest Hyunmoo-5 missile system on its territory, capable of striking with munitions weighing approximately 8 tons.
Donald Trump believes that Vladimir Putin will not stop the war without obtaining Ukrainian territories, claiming that he has already gained some land. Putin sees the war as his “historic mission” and may agree to return Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions in exchange for full control over Donetsk region.
Donald Trump stated that the US cannot give all its weapons to Ukraine, as it threatens the country's interests. He noted that the US itself needs Tomahawk missiles, which Ukraine is asking for.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged Donald Trump to increase pressure on Putin and expressed readiness to join their upcoming summit in Budapest. He remains optimistic despite the US not providing the requested weapons.
SIG Sauer presented an updated version of the M7 assault rifle at the AUSA 2025 exhibition in Washington. The new weapon became lighter due to the lightening of the moving parts of the bolt group and the reduction in barrel thickness.
China has accused the United States of a cyberattack on the National Time Service Center, which could have harmed communications, finance, and power supply. The US National Security Agency allegedly conducted the operation since 2022, stealing data and credentials.
Militants in the Gaza Strip launched an attack on Israeli troops in the Rafah area, provoking airstrikes by the Israel Defense Forces. The US warned of a possible violation of the truce by Hamas.
Russian dictator Vladimir Putin does not want to end the war in Ukraine, as he is confident of his victory and views the conflict as a "historic mission. " He believes he has the upper hand on the battlefield and is willing to ignore the destruction of the Russian economy.
US President Donald Trump's envoy, Steve Witkoff, pressured the Ukrainian delegation to cede the Donetsk region to the Russians, arguing that the population was Russian-speaking. This happened during a meeting on Friday, according to The Washington Post.
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.
Iran announced the termination of the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, which limited its nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief. Iran's Foreign Ministry announced the termination of all provisions of the agreement, while emphasizing its commitment to diplomacy.
US Vice President J. D. Vance supported Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth after a dispute over the color of his tie. Some called the tie Hegseth wore to the meeting of the US and Ukrainian presidents "Russian."
Military support for Ukraine from Western countries has significantly decreased, especially from the United States. Europe partially compensated for the deficit, but the volume of aid decreased by 57% in the summer.
Auterion successfully completed the Artemis program, developing a long-range strike drone with a 1000-mile range. The drone, tested in Ukraine, has a visual guidance system for precise strikes without GPS.
US Vice President J. D. Vance published an AI-generated video in which Donald Trump appears as a king, and Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer kneel before him. This was a response to mass protests in the US against the Trump administration under the slogan "No Kings."
The United States has informed the guarantor countries of the Gaza peace agreement about intelligence data regarding Hamas's preparation for a new attack against the civilian population. This would be considered a serious violation of the agreements, jeopardizing the significant progress achieved through international mediation.
The Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin, during a conversation with Donald Trump, made it clear that he could agree to return the occupied territories of Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions to Ukraine. As a condition for ending the war, he demands full control over the Donetsk region.
Donald Trump stated that the US Navy destroyed a submarine carrying fentanyl and other drugs that was heading to the United States. Two drug terrorists were killed, and two others were detained and handed over to Ecuador and Colombia.
On October 18, "No Kings" protests against the administration of President Donald Trump are taking place in the United States. In total, more than 2,500 rallies are expected to draw millions of participants in Washington, New York, and Chicago.
President Zelenskyy, in an interview with NBC News, stated that Donald Trump did not refuse to supply Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine. This gives hope for obtaining weapons that could change the course of the war.
US President Donald Trump commuted the sentence of former Republican Congressman George Santos, who was sentenced to over 7 years in prison for fraud. Trump stated that Santos was subjected to cruel treatment in solitary confinement and always voted Republican.
The International Monetary Fund is pressuring the National Bank of Ukraine to devalue the hryvnia, which could strengthen the country's finances. NBU officials resist, citing risks to inflation and public sentiment.
Damage from the Alaska storm is so severe that many of the 2,000 evacuees will not return home for at least 18 months. In Kipnuk, one of the hardest-hit villages, 90% of homes have been destroyed.
Swedish company IKEA confirmed price increases on furniture after US President Donald Trump imposed furniture tariffs. The price of a sofa increased from $849 to $899, and a three-piece oak bedroom set rose from $959 to $1049.
During his visit to the US, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy thoroughly informed the American side about the situation at the front, Russian missile strikes, and urgent defense needs. The Ukrainian delegation held a series of meetings with representatives of defense and energy companies.
Novo Nordisk has appointed Greg Miley as head of corporate affairs. This comes amid pressure from the Trump administration on drug pricing and the company's efforts to restore investor confidence.
U. S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order imposing a 25% tariff on imports of medium and heavy-duty trucks, and a 10% tariff on bus imports. These measures are aimed at supporting American industry and protecting national security.
Meta has introduced an AI feature for Facebook users in the US and Canada that enhances photos and videos from the phone's photo album. The AI will scan the photo album, upload unpublished photos to Meta's cloud, and discover "hidden gems."