If war were to break out between Russia and Europe, “there would be no winners”; no one in Europe “should forget that”, Russian President Vladimir Putin said, according to TASS.
Russia has reiterated its refusal to allow the European Union to take part in the forthcoming trilateral talks on Ukraine in Abu Dhabi. Several media outlets reported yesterday that Brussels was preparing to send a delegation led by Bjorn Seibert, chief of staff to Commission President Ursula von der Leyen
Kallas: “The discussion on Russian assets is still ongoing”
On the possible use of frozen Russian assets to fund Ukraine’s needs, “the discussion is still ongoing”. The EU’s High Representative for Foreign Policy, Kaja Kallas, said this at an event at the University of Montreal on the sidelines of the EU-Canada summit. “The good news is that we have agreed with the 27 Member States that these assets will not be released unless Russia pays reparations to Ukraine, but the issue invariably returns to the centre of the debate whenever Ukraine needs funds,” Kallas added. To use them, she concluded, “we must establish a solidarity mechanism that shares the risk amongst all Member States, should that risk materialise. Naturally, we must also be fully aware of the nature of this risk”
Kallas: “Putin is very pleased with the US-Europe rift”
In Ukraine, “Putin is stepping up attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure because he is unable to win on the battlefield; nevertheless, he continues to make extremely demanding demands whenever anyone negotiates with him. So, given that there is currently this rift between the United States and Europe, I mean, it is certainly something he is relishing to the full, hoping that, as you know, time is on his side and that all he needs to do is wait for it to pass.”The High Representative for Foreign Policy and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, made the remarks at the Jean Monnet Centre at the University of Montreal during an informal conversation with the Canadian Foreign Minister, Anita Anand
Putin: “We welcome any step towards restoring relations with European countries”
Moscow welcomes any initiative aimed at restoring full-fledged relations with European countries: this was said by Russian President Vladimir Putin during a press conference at the end of the Russia-Africa summit, as reported by TASS. “We welcome any initiative – as I have always said – aimed at restoring full and comprehensive relations with European countries, both with all of them within the framework of the European Union and at a bilateral level. It is up to them to choose; it makes no difference to us,” Putin said. The Russian president made these comments following his recent telephone conversation with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre and Finnish President Alexander Stubb
Putin: “A war with Europe would have no winners”
If a war were to break out between Russia and Europe, “there would be no winners”; no one in Europe should “forget that”. The Russian President Vladimir Putin said this, according to TASS. Putin added: “We do not want
the situation in the Baltic Sea to become similar to that in the Persian Gulf, but we are prepared for it”
New Russian attack on Dnipro: ‘School dormitory hit’
The Russian army attacked a vocational school dormitory in Dnipro, causing a fire. Oleksandr Ganzha, head of the Dnipropetrovsk military administration, wrote this on Telegram, as reported by Ukrinform. “The Russians are not stopping their attacks on Dnipro. They struck a vocational school dormitory with a drone. Several rooms on the top floor were occupied,” the report states
Kremlin: “If Kyiv carries out air strikes during the 4 November celebrations, it could jeopardise the trilateral talks”
The date of the trilateral talks between Russia, the US and Ukraine will depend on Kyiv’s actions over the coming days and on the possibility of the Ukrainian armed forces launching attacks during the mass demonstrations marking National Unity Day in Russia on 4 November, said Russian presidential adviser Yuri Ushakov. “National Unity Day is our public holiday and we had said that we would announce the resumption of the trilateral talks after the holiday,” Ushakov said in an interview with the Vesti broadcaster. “It is clear that the talks will not take place before then, but only afterwards,” the Kremlin adviser said. “We will see how our Ukrainian rivals behave over the coming days. That, too, is significant. If there are large-scale attacks during public events, this will likely affect our mood,” warned the presidential adviser
Kallas: “The Russian attack on Dnipro was brutal; Moscow is not interested in peace”
“Russia’s deadly attack on the railway station in Dnipro represents yet another brutal assault on Ukrainian civilians. This clearly demonstrates that Moscow is not interested in peace.” EU High Representative Kaja Kallas wrote this in a tweet, expressing her “deepest condolences to the victims and their families”. “At the EU summit with Canada and the G20 foreign ministers’ meeting in Atlanta, I will urge our partners to further strengthen our support for Ukraine and to promote accountability, including through the Special Tribunal and the Compensation Commission. Russia,” she concluded, “must be held to account for its actions”
Kyiv: Two 15-year-old
girls killed in Russian attack on Chernihiv
Russian forces launched a Banderol drone missile at Chernihiv, striking the very centre of the city and killing two 15-year-old girls. This was reported by RBC Ukraine. At the scene, cars and shops caught fire and flats in nearby buildings were damaged. At least 23 people were injured, including three children.
Costa: ‘Solidarity with Ukraine following Russian attack; EU pressure on Moscow continues’
“Yet another cruel and devastating series of Russian attacks against civilians in Ukraine. My condolences to President Zelensky and the Ukrainian people following the Russian drone attack on Dnipro railway station, as well as the attacks on residential neighbourhoods in Chernihiv and Kremenchuk.” This was posted on social media by the prime minister of the European Council, Antonio Costa. “The EU will continue to step up the pressure on Russia and support Ukraine until a just and lasting peace is achieved. We call on all our international partners to do the same,” he added.
Rutte speaks with Prime Minister Niculescu, focusing on security in the Black Sea
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte held a telephone conversation with Romania’s new prime minister, Luca Niculescu. “We discussed security in the Black Sea and how NATO is stepping up its support and presence. We agreed on the importance of our strong support for Ukraine, and we discussed freedom of navigation, including in the Middle East,” Rutte wrote in a post summarising the conversation.
Kremlin: ‘Residents of Oleshky to leave town today or tomorrow’
Residents of Oleshky who have asked to leave the town will be taken away between today and tomorrow, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said in an interview with Zvezda. “The operation began today. A plane has already taken off from Moscow. The evacuation plan for Oleshky is rather complicated. The demining operation is currently underway, and we hope that today or tomorrow residents will be able to receive humanitarian aid freely and safely, and that those who wish to do so will be able to leave the town,” he explained. Humanitarian aid is on its way to Oleshky, said the Russian Human Rights Commissioner, Yana Lantratova.
Kyiv: Russian drones strike building in Kremenchuk – 3 dead
In Kremenchuk, in the Poltava region, Russian forces struck a block of flats with a drone, killing three people and injuring 15 others, including three children. Vitaliy Dyakivnych, head of the Poltava Regional Military Administration, said this on social media, as did the ministry of the Interior and the State Emergency Service, as cited by Ukrainska Pravda.
Kremlin: ‘Sooner or later we will have to engage in dialogue with the Europeans’
Sooner or later, Russia will have to engage in dialogue with European representatives whom it does not regard as particularly welcome: this was said by Yuri Ushakov, an adviser to the Kremlin. “Sooner or later, we will probably have to talk to people we do not find very pleasant,” he stated on Vesti TV, responding to a question about the possibility of future negotiations between Russia and Europe, which – he stressed – do not currently exist.
Macron: ‘Russia’s rejection of negotiation proposals is intolerable’
French President Emmanuel Macron condemned the Russian attack on Dnipro station, which claimed the lives of at least 13 people. “I send my condolences and our solidarity to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the Ukrainian people,” he wrote on X. “In this context, we must aim for much more than a localised ceasefire such as the one that has just been negotiated locally in Oleshky. It is intolerable that Russia continues to oppose all proposals to this effect, whilst continuing to pursue escalation and targeting civilians. Together, we must redouble our efforts to achieve a just and lasting peace and bring Russia to the negotiating table,” he stressed.
Moscow: “Dozens of tonnes of aid sent to Oleshky”
Russia has sent dozens of tonnes of humanitarian aid to Oleskhy in the Kherson Oblast, where the humanitarian ceasefire called for by Pope Leo XIV and US First Lady Melania Trump is in force. "These consist primarily of food, hygiene products, fuel and also medicines," said Yana Lantratova, the Russian Federation’s Human Rights Commissioner, as reported by TASS.
EU: “We are committed to ending the war”
“We have been and continue to be committed to ending this terrible war and achieving a lasting and sustainable peace,” Commission spokesperson Paula Pinho said, responding to a question about the ongoing peace talks to end the war in Ukraine. “As for possible future meetings, we do not have any further information to share at this stage. The situation could change at any moment,” Pinho said.
EU: second round of SAFE, 21.3 billion on the table for defence
The European Commission is inviting Member States to participate in the second phase of the ‘Security Action for Europe’ (SAFE) instrument. With a budget of €21.3 billion, the second call for proposals will be open to all Member States. Once applications have been received from Member States, the Commission will notify them of provisional allocations within two weeks of the deadline for submission of applications. As well as taking their own national defence needs and priorities into account, Member States are encouraged to use the funds from this second call to strengthen cooperation with Ukraine, for example by including the joint procurement of equipment with Kyiv in their investment plans. The European Commission emphasised that Member States should also prioritise the urgent needs of the Ukrainian armed forces and those of the Member States, particularly in the areas of air defence and missile defence systems, drones and anti-drone systems, as well as ammunition and missiles.
Zelensky: ‘Tougher EU and US sanctions against Moscow now’
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has called for new and tougher international sanctions against Russia following the massacre at Dnipro station. “Sanctions against Moscow and its war machine must not be relaxed whilst this war continues,” he wrote on Telegram. Indeed, “it is time for new and stronger sanctions from the EU, the US and the G7,” he warned.
Zelensky: 'Another massacre in Dnipro following the suspension of sanctions'
The Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelensky, has condemned today’s massacre carried out by the Russians in Dnipro, the latest in a series following the easing of US sanctions on Moscow. “The Russians attacked the station platform with a drone, where a regular suburban electric train and a regular passenger train were standing. Unfortunately, 13 deaths have been confirmed so far,” he wrote on Telegram. “How many of these terrorist attacks has Russia already inflicted on our people, even after lifting sanctions on certain Russian oligarchs and the energy sector, instead of moving towards de-escalation?” he asked rhetorically. “This is precisely why Ukraine consistently reiterates that fair and decisive action by America and Europe is needed in response to Russia’s escalation: sanctions against Moscow and its war machine must not be relaxed whilst this war continues,” he warned. Indeed, “now is the time for new and stronger sanctions from the EU, America and the G7,” he warned.
Russia: 'Attacked during Africa summit. We are defending ourselves'
Russia has condemned the massive attack it suffered overnight, with over 1,200 Ukrainian drones intercepted, just as the third summit with Africa is taking place. “This is a world-scale event being held in the Russian capital. And launching a drone operation of this magnitude against Moscow is a strange thing,” Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told the media. More than twenty African leaders have arrived in Moscow for the meeting, along with representatives from 28 countries and major regional organisations, such as the African Union. “Our air defence systems are effective, thank God,” he continued, “but this demonstrates once again that the special military operation must continue so that we are protected from threats of this kind.”
Russian bombs hit train in Dnipro, at least 13 dead
Russian forces bombed a train in Dnipro. At least 13 people died. Local authorities reported this.
Steinmeier in China: “Use your influence over Moscow to stop the war”
German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier has urged China to use its influence over Russia to help bring an end to the war in Ukraine. “The time has come, after almost five years of war – longer than the First World War,” Steinmeier said during a visit to Beijing. The German president arrived in China on Tuesday and will remain in the country until Saturday. Talks with Premier Li Qiang and President Xi Jinping are scheduled for Friday. The last state visit to China by a German president was in 2018.
17 November: Nato Contact Group meeting
On Tuesday 17 November 2026, the United Kingdom and Germany will convene the Contact Group on the Defence of Ukraine at Nato headquarters.
Kremlin: “Putin will always answer if Stubb and Store wish to call him”
Finnish President Alexander Stubb and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store can be assured that if they wish to call Russian President Vladimir Putin, he will answer, Kremlin adviser Yuri Ushakov said. “There was an agreement whereby, if the leaders wished to call Putin, he would always answer,” Ushakov told the Zvezda television channel.
Kremlin: ‘No to EU warmongers at the negotiations’
Russia has reiterated its opposition to the European Union’s participation in the forthcoming trilateral negotiations on Ukraine in Abu Dhabi. Several media outlets reported yesterday that Brussels was preparing to send a delegation led by Bjorn Seibert, chief of staff to Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. “The Russian Federation and the United States have no need for participants of this kind, whose stance is aimed at inciting war,” said spokesperson Dmitri Peskov in response to a question about Siebert’s possible attendance at the talks, according to TASS.
Moscow: 'Cargo ship bound for Odessa struck'
The Russian armed forces carried out a drone attack overnight on a vessel in the Black Sea that was carrying a cargo intended for the Ukrainian army. This was announced by the Russian Ministry of Defence. “A cargo ship, which was transporting military and dual-use supplies intended for the Ukrainian armed forces to the port of Odessa, was struck at sea as a result of the attacks,” the statement read.
Russian Human Rights Commissioner: ‘Humanitarian mission to Oleshky gets underway’
The Russian Commissioner for Human Rights, Yana Lantratova, announced her departure from Moscow for a humanitarian mission to the town of Oleshky in the Kherson region, where a ceasefire has been in force since 04:00 Moscow time (02:00 Italian time) on 27 October. “We will be travelling with journalists, mainly from the US, appointed by the American side, and journalists from various countries around the world,” she told the Zvezda television channel, as reported by TASS. Previously, Russia and Ukraine, with the help of Melania Trump, had agreed on a ceasefire in the town in the Kherson region to ensure the delivery of humanitarian aid and to prepare for the evacuation of civilians via a safe corridor.
Russian defences shoot down more than 600 Ukrainian drones overnight
The mayor of Moscow said that in the last few hours around 600 Ukrainian drones had been intercepted and shot down by the defence forces. Meanwhile, in Ukraine, Russia attacked Kharkiv, the country’s second-largest city, damaging a school. The news was reported by the mayor, Ihor Terekhov.