Trump diesel deal with Russia faces swift international pushback
Trump's Russia diesel deal faces international backlash from Ukraine, Europe, and Senate Democrats over sanctions relief.
Event / Geopolitics
Russia-Ukraine War
Ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine involving military operations, sanctions, diplomatic negotiations, and international support.
7 reported locations
Daily activity
158 articles5 articles
2026-09-04 to 2026-10-28 · UTC publication dates
Coverage begins 4 Sept, 14:16 UTC
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What happened
Pope Leo XIV calls on Zelenskyy and Putin to allow aid and safe evacuation in Oleshky
Pope Leo XIV spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin, urging them to allow humanitarian aid into Oleshky and the safe evacuation of civilians.
Stubb and Støre speak with Zelenskyy after their call with Putin
After their conversation with Putin, Finnish President Alexander Stubb and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Ballistic missile explosions shake Kyiv minutes after 3 a.m. on Tuesday
Multiple ballistic missile explosions shook Kyiv minutes after 3 a.m. local time on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, and air alerts sounded in multiple parts of Ukraine.
Localized ceasefire takes effect in southern Ukraine around Oleshky
A localized ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia took effect at 3 a.m. local time on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, to allow an aid mission into the Russian-occupied town of Oleshky in the Kherson region.
Ukrainian-held side of Kherson region is quiet during the Oleshky ceasefire
The Ukrainian-held side of the Kherson region was quiet on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, with only Russian reconnaissance drones reported in the sky, according to local authorities.
Melania Trump leads talks with civilian negotiators from Russia and Ukraine
U.S. first lady Melania Trump led talks with civilian negotiators from Russia and Ukraine after meeting with United Nations officials who briefed her on the humanitarian situation in Oleshky.
Nordic leaders, Zelenskyy and U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff meet in Oslo on October 20
On October 20, 2026, Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre and Finnish President Alexander Stubb met in Oslo with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff.
Up to 2,000 people remain stranded in Oleshky with dwindling food and medicine
Up to 2,000 people are stranded in Oleshky with dwindling supplies of food and medicine. They are unable to leave because of explosive mines and drone attacks in the area.
Russia launches 16 ballistic missiles and over 280 drones at 11 regions of Ukraine
In a single overnight attack, Russia launched 16 ballistic missiles and more than 280 drones at 11 regions of Ukraine, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Attacks in Kharkiv on late Monday kill two and injure four
Attacks in Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-largest city, late on Monday, October 26, 2026, killed two people and injured four others, according to city authorities.
Humanitarian aid mission to Oleshky planned for later this week
A humanitarian aid mission is planned to take doctors, medicines, food supplies and water to Oleshky before evacuation corridors are opened. The mission is scheduled for later in the week of October 27, 2026, and is brokered by the United States.
Russian and Ukrainian militaries and negotiators confirm Oleshky ceasefire has begun
Russian and Ukrainian negotiators and the militaries of both countries issued separate statements confirming that the localized Oleshky ceasefire had begun.
Trilateral talks among Russia, Ukraine and the United States planned for next month in Abu Dhabi
Trilateral talks involving delegations from Russia, Ukraine and the United States are expected next month in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The talks are intended to lay the groundwork for detailed peace negotiations later.
Finnish president and Norwegian prime minister speak with Putin by phone
Finnish President Alexander Stubb and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre held phone calls with Russian President Vladimir Putin. It was their first known direct contact with Putin since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine began on February 24, 2022.
Ballistic missiles damage university grounds in Kyiv, killing one and wounding at least 10
Russian ballistic missiles struck and damaged the grounds of a university in Kyiv late on Monday, October 26, 2026, killing one person and wounding at least 10 others.
Oleshky ceasefire is scheduled to last through Saturday or longer
The localized ceasefire in the Oleshky area is due to last through Saturday, October 31, 2026, or longer if needed. Its geographic scope was not clearly defined, though it centers on Oleshky and nearby parts of the Kherson region.
Russian forces captured Oleshky on the first day of the full-scale invasion in 2022
Russian forces captured Oleshky, which sits across the Dnipro River from Kherson, on February 24, 2022, the first day of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Ceasefire geographic area expanded beyond Oleshky to cover humanitarian convoy routes
The ceasefire's geographic area was expanded beyond Oleshky, within Kherson Region, to provide safe passage for humanitarian convoys.
US First Lady Melania Trump mediated the Oleshky ceasefire
The ceasefire was mediated and coordinated by US First Lady Melania Trump. The humanitarian mission was carried out jointly by Ukraine's Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights, Dmytro Lubinets, and Russia's Commissioner for Human Rights, Yana Lantratova.
Oleshky residents face shortages of food, medicine, clean water, and electricity
Residents of the front-line city of Oleshky face shortages of food, medicine, clean water, and electricity. Drones and landmines restrict movement in the city, and regular military attacks continue there.
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2 alternative perspectives
Trump demands Ukraine replace leadership to achieve peace with Russia
Trump demands new Ukrainian leadership for Russia negotiations and lifts Russian energy sanctions despite Ukrainian objections.
Russian strikes kill 60, damage Ukrainian power grid ahead of winter
Russian strikes kill 60 and damage power grid; UN warns of winter energy crisis.
Trump lifts Russian sanctions for diesel deal, drawing Ukrainian rebuke
Trump lifts Russian energy sanctions for diesel imports; Ukraine objects to sanctions relief framework.
Russian shelling suspends Moldova-Ukraine border crossing operations
Russian shelling forces closure of Moldova-Ukraine border crossing at Palanca.
Russian strikes target Kharkiv region with guided bombs and drones
Russian strikes kill two in Kharkiv region, targeting civilians and infrastructure simultaneously.
Ukrainian strikes neutralize half of Russian refining capacity
Ukraine's refinery strikes have damaged Russian oil production and prompted an export ban, according to Kyiv's claims and Putin's economic acknowledgment.
Ukraine deploys AI turrets as autonomous weapons escalate conflict
Ukraine deploys AI-autonomous turrets to counter Russian drone escalation as both sides adopt advanced weapons systems.
Russia blames Germany for Leipzig airport drone strike amid stalled conflict
Russia blames Germany for Leipzig drone strike as front-line fighting stalls amid diplomatic deadlock.
Russian strikes close three Kyiv bridges, targeting civilian infrastructure
Russian strikes close three Kyiv bridges; seven wounded in Sumy attack.
German Chancellor Merz visits Kyiv as Berlin deepens Ukraine support
German Chancellor Merz visits Kyiv as Berlin deepens support with €43.3 billion aid contribution.
Trump envoys visit Kyiv as Putin proposes sanctions relief framework
Trump envoys visit Kyiv as Putin proposes sanctions relief for peace talks.