Trump says meeting with Putin and Zelensky will happen 'very soon'

Destroyed buildings in Kyiv: More than 100 ballistic missiles on the capital within two weeks. Photo: Efrem Lukatsky/ap/dpa

Trump: Hoping for a Prompt Meeting with Putin and Zelensky

US President Donald Trump has announced an imminent meeting with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian head of state Volodymyr Zelensky. "There will be a meeting very soon," Trump told journalists on Wednesday. "I believe that great progress could be made there," he added, referring to diplomatic efforts to end the war that has lasted more than four and a half years.

Recently, the Kremlin announced direct negotiations between Russian and Ukrainian negotiators under US mediation in Abu Dhabi for the first half of November. Ukrainian President Zelensky confirmed the plans on Friday on the online service X. "Now we all need to focus on making these meetings happen — together with America, Europe and all our partners," he declared. The three sides had last negotiated in February without progress.

Trump had previously expressed confidence about a prompt end to the Ukraine war. "Perhaps we are now as close as never before," he said last Wednesday in Washington after a meeting between his special envoy Steve Witkoff and Putin. In any case, an agreement had moved closer in his assessment. (afp)

Danish Prime Minister Criticizes Contact with Putin

Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has criticized a phone call between Finnish President Alexander Stubb, Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre and Russian President Vladimir Putin. She saw no signs that Russia wanted peace with Europe, Frederiksen said. The call had not been coordinated with other European heads of state and government. "I believe we should keep Europe united instead of going it alone," she said.

The 90-minute phone call with Putin had come about on their initiative, Stubb and Støre explained. It had concerned the war and upcoming trilateral talks with delegations from Russia, Ukraine and the USA. The two emphasized that they were speaking on behalf of their countries and not for all of Europe.

The Kremlin stated that a just and lasting peace was only possible if Russia's "legitimate interests" were fully and unconditionally taken into account.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky declared that an end to Russian attacks, including on Ukraine's power grid, was necessary to open the path to peace. "There must be peace, de-escalation is needed, and Russia must stop prolonging the war," he wrote on the platform X. (ap)

Ceasefire Around Occupied Frontline City of Oleshky Holds

The ceasefire around the Russian-occupied frontline city of Oleshky in southern Ukraine is holding, according to reports from Kyiv. It had not been broken in the first 30 hours, declared Ukrainian Human Rights Commissioner Dmytro Lubinets. The truce was mediated by the USA and is limited until 1 November to enable an evacuation of the city, which has been contested for months, as well as aid deliveries. Living conditions there had recently become increasingly dramatic, and escape was nearly impossible for residents. (rtr)

Zelensky: More Than 100 Ballistic Missiles Against Kyiv in Two Weeks

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has again pointed to his country's need for anti-aircraft missiles and delays in their delivery. Moscow had deployed more than 100 ballistic missiles against the capital Kyiv and its surroundings within two weeks, Zelensky said in a video message.

There were considerable delays in the delivery of air defense systems. "And everyone hears and everyone sees that it is currently difficult for us to defend ourselves against Russian ballistic missiles," he said, citing casualties and damage.

Above all, this concerned US-made Patriot systems. They are considered particularly effective against attacks with ballistic missiles, which are difficult to intercept due to their high speed. Only on Monday had Zelensky complained about delays in deliveries. (dpa)

Source: taz.de