Before the meeting, Trump hosted Andrea Bocelli, setting a tone of hope; however, the subsequent meeting with Zelenskyy revealed differing perspectives on the war. Trump expressed a belief that Putin desires peace, while Zelenskyy emphasized Ukraine’s commitment to a ceasefire. Trump has softened his stance, previously suggesting Ukraine could win the war, but now implying a potential acceptance of current territorial lines. Despite the meeting’s failure to secure a ceasefire, Trump remains determined to engage with Putin, suggesting a shift in his approach to the conflict.
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Following a phone call, Trump’s stance on the Ukraine war shifted once more, reflecting a pattern of changes after communication with Putin. This represents a recurring dynamic, where Putin’s influence appears to sway the U.S. president’s perspective. This shift highlights a strategic ability of Putin to impact Trump’s decision-making process. The change occurred on October 18, 2025.
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Over the past day, Russia’s military sustained significant losses, with 1,150 soldiers killed or wounded and 41 artillery systems destroyed. According to the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the estimated total combat losses for Russia between February 24, 2022, and October 18, 2024, include a substantial number of military personnel, tanks, armored combat vehicles, and various other types of equipment. These figures are constantly being updated, and confirmation is ongoing.
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Following a meeting with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy, Donald Trump stated Russia should be allowed to keep the Ukrainian land it has seized, advocating for a ceasefire based on current battle lines. Trump expressed his belief that this war, which he claims would not have started under his previous presidency, has gone on long enough. He also criticized the relationship between Zelenskyy and Putin, and seemed to downplay the severity of Putin’s actions. Additionally, Trump mentioned potential future meetings with Putin, and again praised Putin’s willingness to kill civilians, boasting of his “good relationship” with the Russian leader.
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During an interview, Andrii Yermak stated that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is prepared to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin in any country globally, excluding Russia and Belarus. This willingness was expressed to Donald Trump during a recent conversation. However, the Kremlin has consistently rejected such meetings, with Putin previously indicating that he was only open to talks in Moscow. Zelenskyy also noted that Russia appears to be seeking to resume dialogue recently.
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Over the past three months, Australia’s E-7A Wedgetail surveillance aircraft was deployed 45 times near Ukraine as part of NATO’s monitoring efforts. The aircraft provided critical surveillance, early warning, and communications support, often responding to potential threats. The missions, which included patrols over supply lines delivering aid to Ukraine, were praised by NATO officials for their valuable intelligence contributions. The Australian crew’s deployment, which is now concluding, facilitated seamless operations within NATO command and provided invaluable real-world experience. Australia’s ongoing contributions to supporting Ukraine have been significant, including $1.5 billion in military and humanitarian aid.
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Ukrainian forces from the Lasar’s Group successfully eliminated a Russian BM-30 Smerch MLRS in Kherson Oblast, striking from a distance of approximately 50 kilometers. The Defence Forces of Ukraine’s South released video evidence showcasing the successful hit and ammunition detonation. This precise operation was conducted under the purview of the Pivden (South) Operational Strategic Group.
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According to Ukrainian Navy spokesperson Dmytro Pletenchuk, Russian air defenses mistakenly downed one of their own warplanes while attempting to intercept Ukrainian drones over Crimea on October 17. The incident occurred overnight during active efforts to repel Ukrainian attacks. Following these strikes, a significant fire erupted at a local oil depot in the region. Monitoring channels later identified the downed aircraft as likely being a Russian Su-30SM fighter jet, adding to the list of recent Russian air defense mishaps.
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According to Kyrylo Budanov, Head of Defence Intelligence of Ukraine (DIU), Ukrainian strikes on Russian oil refineries have inflicted greater economic damage than international sanctions. Budanov stated that the majority of these strikes utilize domestically produced munitions. He also noted that current sanctions are insufficient and that Russia still possesses the resilience to sustain the war for a considerable period, despite its increasing economic challenges. Finally, Budanov mentioned that without its allies, Russia would have already lost the war.
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Following a phone call, President Trump announced plans to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Hungary to discuss ending the war in Ukraine, with high-level advisors meeting the following week led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Trump and Putin also discussed future trade, while a meeting with Ukrainian President Zelensky was scheduled to follow. This comes after growing frustration over the war’s slow progress and a recent massive Russian missile and drone attack on Ukraine, which Ukraine’s ambassador says demonstrates Russia’s lack of interest in ending the war.
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John Q. Hosedrinker