A de facto partition of Gaza between an area controlled by Israel and another ruled by Hamas is increasingly likely, multiple sources said, with efforts to advance US President Trump's plan to end the war beyond a ceasefire faltering reut.rs/47PGP3I

The Kremlin has had to dismiss reports that Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov had "fallen out of favor" with Putin amid speculation that his diplomacy led to the cancellation of planned peace talks between Moscow and the U.S. over Ukraine.

Starting a war and expecting to move freely in Europe is hard to justify. The EU is tightening visa rules for Russian nationals amid continued drone disruptions and sabotage on European soil. Travelling to the EU is a privilege, not a given.

In Pokrovsk, the front line has vanished. Russian forces have infiltrated the city, with one Ukrainian officer estimating they control 60% of it. Soldiers now face the enemy in the rear, warning of a looming encirclement. Diana Butsko reports from the area.

Drone report halts air traffic at Brussels Airport

EU praises Ukraine’s reforms and warns Serbia and Georgia in progress reports via @apnews.com apnews.com/article/eu-e...

Belgian army orders to shoot down drones above its bases

Ukraine has shown "remarkable commitment" to its bid for EU membership despite Russia's war, but must reverse negative trends in the fight against corruption and step up rule of law reforms, the European Commission is expected to say in its draft enlargement report, seen by the Kyiv Independent.

The European Commission is pushing to maintain momentum in Ukraine's EU accession bid despite political resistance from Hungary, EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos said.

Belgium, where the majority of frozen funds is parked in the financial clearing house Euroclear, put the brakes on swift progress on the use of frozen Russian assets, warning that three of its key demands related to legal worries would first need to be met.

Exclusive: Several suppliers cancelled sales of Middle Eastern and Canadian oil to China's Yulong Petrochemical after the UK imposed sanctions on the refiner, which is likely to push it to buy more Russian crude, multiple sources said reut.rs/47q8uIt

We just adopted our 19th sanctions package. It targets Russian banks, crypto exchanges, entities in India and China, among others. The EU is curbing Russian diplomats’ movements to counter the attempts of destabilisation. It is increasingly harder for Putin to fund this war.

BREAKING: The Trump administration imposed sanctions on Russia's two largest oil companies as it called on Moscow to agree to an immediate ceasefire in the war with Ukraine. https://cnn.it/47gwxJO

On short notice, the upcoming EU Council meeting is set to become a scramble to contain and counter U.S. President Donald Trump's renewed pressure on Ukraine. EU leaders, meeting in Brussels on Oct. 23, are expected to weigh in on a wide range of measures in support of Ukraine.

#Hungary dismisses reports that the Trump-Putin summit in Budapest might be off

The EU is preparing to strengthen its authority to board and inspect tankers linked to Russia's so-called shadow fleet and is negotiating with some of the flag and coastal states to take measures, according to a draft proposal by the EU's diplomatic service (EEAS), seen by Kyiv Independent.

Right-wing Japan Innovation Party pledges support for governing LDP, opening way for Takaichi to win vote.

A general sense of skepticism prevails among European officials and diplomats over U.S. President Donald Trump's announcement of planned Ukraine peace talks with Russian leader Vladimir Putin in Hungary.

As the European Commission unveils its new Defense Readiness Roadmap on Oct. 16, one key of cornerstone proposals — the “European Drone Defense Initiative” — is likely to turn into a political battleground of its own.

First reported by @financialtimes.com: Trump will welcome his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Washington on Friday for talks about how they can force Vladimir Putin to the negotiating table, including the possibility of supplying long-range Tomahawk missiles to Kyiv. on.ft.com/42FIJCx

BREAKING Hamas has handed over seven surviving hostages to Red Cross, reports Israeli public radio

💥🔎🇷🇺 Our analysis reveals the scale of Russia’s massive propaganda offensive in Moldova: in 3 weeks, 9,900 TikTok videos were published and generated over 93 million views, created with artificial intelligence. Yet despite Moscow’s efforts, the pro-European PAS secured 50.2% in the Sept 28 election.

⚡️Up to 5,000 Cubans fighting alongside Russian forces in Ukraine, Reuters reports. An estimated 1,000 to 5,000 Cuban fighters are actively participating in Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Reuters reported Oct. 5, citing an internal U.S. State Department cable obtained by the outlet.

Russia is masking its failed summer offensive with terror attacks on Ukrainian civilians and infrastructure. We keep supporting Ukraine as long as needed: finalizing the next sanctions package, ensuring financing, providing weapons. Russia will not stop until forced to.

Unofficial: Last night's Russian air attack "one of the most massive" — channel PPO Radar Russia launched: ▫️over 700 drones; ▫️up to 50 cruise missiles; ▫️2 air-launched ballistic missiles. Main targets: Lviv, Lviv Oblast, Zaporizhzhia, and Odesa. A few drones are still in the air. 📷TG/mon1tor_ua

Just in: “This isn’t a rally — it’s the first National European Convention,” said Paata Burchuladze, one of the organizers of today’s protest, announcing that people will “vote out Georgian Dream right here, on Liberty Square, through direct democracy.” 1/2

The European Commission’s plan of creating a “drone wall” on the union’s eastern border has met a tough reality in Copenhagen — opposition from EU member states without a border with Russia. European powerhouses, such as France and Germany, have expressed scepticism about the idea.

Just back from Helsinki 🇫🇮, where #Finland’s President @alexstubb said he thinks @realDonaldTrump is really moving from persuasion to pressure to end the war in #Ukraine. Full interview for @kyivindependent.com ⬇️ 🔗 kyivindependent.com/finlands-stu...

Exclusive: The Trump administration will provide Ukraine with intelligence for long-range missile strikes on Russia’s energy infrastructure

BREAKING: The US government shuts down after the Senate fails to pass a stopgap plan to fund it

The UN reimposed sanctions on Iran early Sunday over its nuclear programme. The EU will follow. This must not be the end of diplomacy with Iran. A sustainable solution to the Iranian nuclear issue can only be achieved through negotiations. Statement ↓ link.europa.eu/q7ghCx

This. “In 2025, the weakest link in #Ukraine’s defences still lies in the minds of its western friends.” via @financialtimes.com www.ft.com/content/2a4d...

WARNING UPDATE: The Kremlin is setting conditions to generate possibly violent protests to remove Moldovan President Maia Sandu from power following the September 28 Moldovan parliamentary elections. Read More: isw.pub/Moldova092525

JUST IN: Trump's Gaza peace plan gets support from regional leaders, sources say

Pretty big news in global trading circles China will no longer ask for or avail itself of benefits and flexibilities for developing countries as a part of World Trade Organization negotiations, Beijing announced on Tuesday.

This is unironically one of the wildest photos ever taken.

Sitting next to Trump, VDL says EU could put tariffs on Russian oil supplies still coming into the bloc. Currently not part of 19th sanctions package proposal, though.

#Trump’s rhetoric has changed. “Ukraine, with the support of the European Union, is in a position to fight and WIN all of #Ukraine back in its original form.”

US President Donald Trump said he believed NATO nations should shoot down aircraft that violated their airspace, offering support for allies who have threatened a tougher response following multiple incursions from Russian aircraft.

All take-offs and landings at Copenhagen Airport have been suspended since 20:26 local time (18:26 UTC) due to drone reports. So far, at least 20 flights have been diverted to other airports. www.flightradar24.com/airport/cph

La France reconnaît l'Etat de Palestine, "pour la paix" entre Israéliens et Palestiniens, annonce Macron.

Polish Foreign Minister Sikorski addressed Russia at the UN Security Council meeting:

It cannot be that Russia “accidently” violates three times in two weeks European air space. Russia is testing European borders and probing our resolve. It will continue to provoke as long as we allow it. Extract of my statement at the UN Security Council ↓

BREAKING: Canada, the U.K. and Australia recognize a Palestinian state despite opposition from the U.S. and Israel.

#BREAKING 'Cyber-related disruption' hits 'select airports', service provider says, as European hubs including Brussels, Berlin and London's Heathrow warn of delays

The Pentagon has blocked certain arms sales to Europe after identifying some weapons as being in short supply, Vivian Salama reports. If the hold is long-term, it risks weakening European “defenses at a time when Russia poses an imminent threat.”

The French prime minister’s office hinted today that a revamped, optional military service is on the way.

Today's violation of Estonia's airspace by Russian military aircraft is an extremely dangerous provocation. This marks the third such violation of EU airspace in days and further escalates tensions in the region. The EU stands in full solidarity with Estonia (1/2)

Another case of #Russia testing #NATO’s airspace. And 12 minutes is quite a long time in a small airspace like #Estonia’s…

Cash from energy sales keeps Russia’s war going. So we’re going after these revenues by designating 118 new vessels as shadow fleet and enablers, and banning re-insurance of listed vessels. Our aim is to speed up the phase-out of Russian liquefied natural gas by 1 Jan 2027.