Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei rejected Donald Trump's offer of talks and refuted his statements about the destruction of Iranian nuclear infrastructure. Khamenei called the US actions interference and coercion, emphasizing that Iran has exclusively civilian nuclear goals.
26 EU member states have committed to joining the creation of a Special Tribunal on the crime of aggression against Ukraine. This brings closer the start of the tribunal's work, which will investigate crimes of aggression.
EU diplomacy chief Kaja Kallas stated that Russia is not interested in peace and called for increased pressure on Russia. This week, the EU plans to adopt the 19th package of sanctions and use frozen Russian assets to finance Ukraine's defense.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, responsible for preparing the summit, held a constructive discussion of the agreements. The meeting took place on October 16 to prepare for a possible summit between the leaders.
Colombia recalled its ambassador in Washington after US Navy attacks on boats in the Caribbean and restrictions on aid to Bogota. The US President called the Colombian President an "illegal drug lord," which exacerbated relations.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will travel to London to attend a meeting of the coalition of the willing, co-chaired by Sir Keir Starmer, Emmanuel Macron, and Friedrich Merz. The coalition aims to unite countries to protect the peace agreement in Ukraine.
Special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner arrived in Israel. Their mission is to strengthen the fragile Gaza ceasefire, which has faced its first serious escalation.
EU diplomacy chief Kaja Kallas commented on Trump's upcoming meeting with Putin in Budapest. She emphasized the importance of Zelenskyy's meeting with Putin to discuss ending the war.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that Ukraine has approached a possible end to the war, but this does not guarantee its swift conclusion. He noted that Donald Trump, on the wave of success in the Middle East, expresses a desire to end Russia's war against Ukraine.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that the Russians' position on Donbas has not changed: they demand that Ukraine cede the Donetsk and Luhansk regions. Zelenskyy emphasized that the so-called "referendum" was illegal, and Russia's demands are far from reality.
EU's top diplomat Kaja Kallas commented on the Financial Times article, which states that Donald Trump called on Volodymyr Zelenskyy to accept Putin's terms. Kallas emphasized the resilience of Ukrainians and the negative consequences for the international order if the aggressor achieves its goals.
The President of Ukraine stated that his American counterpart seeks an end to the Russian-Ukrainian war, and Trump's message to stop at the line of contact is, in the opinion of the head of state, positive. At the same time, Volodymyr Zelenskyy does not consider Budapest the best platform for US-Russia negotiations.
The European Union is considering a proposal to allow new countries to join the EU without full voting rights, which could make leaders like Viktor Orban more amenable to Ukraine's accession. This initiative would allow countries like Ukraine to enjoy many of the benefits of EU membership, but without veto power.
EU's chief diplomat Kaja Kallas announced that the 19th package of sanctions against Russia is expected this week. The adoption will not take place today, but leaders will meet on Thursday.
Former Minister of Culture Mykola Tochitsky has become Ukraine's Permanent Representative to the Council of Europe. He will promote the return of Ukrainian children and the creation of mechanisms for Russia's accountability for aggression.
Germany is recalling Ambassador Peter Fischer from Georgia for consultations due to "systematic attacks" by the Georgian authorities. This comes amid escalating tensions between Berlin and Tbilisi, where the government is campaigning against the EU and Germany.
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 and special envoy Steve Witkoff will visit Israel next week to discuss the implementation of the Gaza ceasefire agreements. Witkoff will also discuss the return of hostage remains, while Israel accuses Hamas of using them as bargaining chips.
Representatives of Pakistan and Afghanistan are holding talks in Qatar after Islamabad's airstrikes on the neighboring country. Kabul ordered its troops to observe a ceasefire, and Pakistan will also refrain from attacks.
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.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy discussed his conversation with Donald Trump with European leaders and the leadership of the EU and NATO. He emphasized the importance of protecting lives and strengthening security in Europe.
The Ukrainian president agreed with Donald Trump's opinion that it is worth stopping and starting negotiations and taking real steps towards peace.
The number of investigations in the US into individuals working in Russia's interests has increased by 33%. Government agencies, defense companies, and critical infrastructure facilities are becoming targets.
Trump and Zelenskyy's meeting has concluded. Zelenskyy is holding a conference call with European leaders to update them on the information.
US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegset appeared at the meeting between Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Donald Trump wearing a tie in the colors of the Russian flag. At the same time, the handkerchief in his pocket was designed in the colors of the American flag.
US First Lady Melania Trump is concerned about the impact of Russia's war in Ukraine on children and continues to work on reuniting them with their parents.
On October 17, 2025, the Latvian State Security Service opened criminal proceedings against its citizen for a verbal attack on a Ukrainian family in Switzerland. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine expressed gratitude to Latvia for its prompt reaction to the incident.
Ukraine will expand its diplomatic presence in Slovakia by opening a Consulate General in Prešov by the end of the year. This will improve consular services for Ukrainians in eastern Slovakia.
Slovakia will transfer a new energy equipment package worth 500,000 euros to Ukraine. The country will also allocate 300,000 euros for the construction of shelters in schools in frontline areas.
Russian President Putin informed Hungarian Prime Minister Orban about his conversation with US President Trump. Orban expressed readiness to provide conditions for a Russian-American summit in Budapest.
