Ukraine, Trump sends emissaries to Moscow and Kiev: 'Very close to an agreement'

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, in the course of the call with the willing, which was also attended by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, 'expressed her appreciation for the negotiation process launched in Geneva at the instigation of the United States and emphasised the importance of cohesion in support of a path towards a just and lasting peace in Ukraine'. This was announced by Palazzo Chigi, emphasising that 'in this framework, the need for solid shared security guarantees between the two sides of the Atlantic was also reiterated'. Finally, Meloni 'expressed the hope that Russia could seize this new opportunity to contribute constructively to peace'.

Russia will reject the 19-point ceasefire plan drawn up by the US and Ukraine. This was reported by sources in the New York Post, according to which the conflict could last at least until Christmas. The proposal, reduced from the previous 28-point version judged by Ukrainians and Europeans to be strongly favourable to Moscow, was modified in the last days of negotiations between Geneva and Abu Dhabi to make it more acceptable to Ukraine. In the last few hours, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov stated that Moscow will not support any plan that deviates from the original version agreed in Anchorage between Trump and Putin in August, calling the new document incomplete and in need of clarification. However, according to experts, Russia could resort to disinformation tactics, issuing vague statements or signing documents without really committing to ending the war.

The continued support for Ukraine and 'increased pressure' on Russia were emphasised by Ursula von der Leyen at the video-call of the Volunteers. She wrote this on X, welcoming Marco Rubio's presence at the meeting. "We need strong transatlantic cooperation. Because it works," von der Leyen wrote, pointing out that "a central issue in the negotiations is the question of Ukraine's financing, including the use of immobilised Russian sovereign assets."

"The deployment of a Multinational Force for Ukraine" to provide Kiev with "robust security guarantees" after a hypothetical cessation of hostilities with Moscow remains a "vital" condition for peace. This was reiterated today by Keir Starmer in his speech at the videocall meeting of the so-called Coalition of the Willing, which he co-chaired with Emmanuel Macron. The British Prime Minister, joined at Downing Street during the meeting by Foreign and Defence Ministers Yvette Cooper and John Healey, as well as Air Marshal Richard Knighton, the Kingdom's newly appointed Chief of Defence Staff, said he was convinced that the issue of security guarantees was now 'central' to the draft peace plan of Donald Trump's US administration.

"We continue to support Ukraine: we demand a ceasefire as soon as possible, a just and lasting peace for Ukraine and security for Europe. Any plan that affects European interests and sovereignty requires Europe's approval. Europe remains steadfast and united'. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz wrote this in a message on X, responding to a post by Volodymyr Zelensky, in which the Ukrainian president thanked Germany for its support.

During the phone call of the willing - reportedly - Volodymyr Zelensky did not comment in depth on the agreement with the Americans in Abu Dhabi that was discussed, but on the contrary remained very general. Indeed, he reiterated the need for defence support, progress on security guarantees and action on frozen Russian assets. He then affirmed Ukraine's readiness to cooperate with the US and Europe, acknowledging the existing challenges and highlighting the continuing Russian attacks.

During a hearing that lasted about an hour and a half, Defence Minister Guido Crosetto explained to Copasir the new package - the twelfth - of Italian military aid to Ukraine. It is the inter-ministerial decree containing the list of equipment that will be sent to Kiev. The session - like all those of the Committee - is sealed.

Marco Rubio, in his call with the willing, reportedly stressed that security guarantees 'are a key component' of any peace agreement and that both Ukraine and Russia 'need clarity' on the nature of those guarantees to determine the viability of any agreement. The discussion also touched on the fact that we need to arrive at a plan 'on paper' if the peace process is to continue.

"We are very close to an agreement for Ukraine. We are making progress." Donald Trump said this at the White House.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that Kiev is ready to move forward with the US-backed peace agreement and that he is ready to discuss its sensitive points with US President Donald Trump, in talks that he said should also include European allies. This was reported by Reuters online, which viewed a speech by Zelensky to the Coalition of the Willing. In the message, the Ukrainian president urged European leaders to develop a framework for sending a 'reassurance force' to Ukraine and to continue supporting Kiev until Moscow shows a willingness to end its war.

A 'solution' to 'secure funding' for Ukraine on the basis of frozen Russian assets will be 'defined in the coming days', French President Emmanuel Macron said. Macron reiterated that "there is clearly no Russian will to have a ceasefire" and also said he favoured a "strong Ukrainian army" without "limitations".

The revised draft of the US peace plan removes the words about 'limiting' the size of the Ukrainian army to 600,000 men. In its place, it states that the size of the Ukrainian army 'will remain' at a certain level. This was reported by an informed source to Rbc-Ukraine. 'The words "limited to 600mile!" have been in principle removed,' the source explained, 'in their place is the word "remains" and then the phrase in a modified version. And the word 'remains' has nothing to do with the word 'limited'''.

Ukrainian President Vlolodymyr Zelensky is reportedly ready to meet Donald Trump as early as this week. This is revealed by Axios.

Ukraine supports 'the essence' of the framework of the peace agreement after the Geneva talks. Reuters online writes this, citing a Ukrainian official. The official, who remained anonymous, added that the most sensitive issues of the framework will be discussed between Volodymyr Zelensky and Donald Trump.

The US military secretary's talks with Russia on Ukraine "are going well", White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said, adding that there are some sensitive, but not insurmountable, details that need to be resolved and will require further talks between Ukraine, Russia and the US.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, speaking in the House of Commons, downplays press reports that Kiev has agreed terms with the US on a peace deal. 'As I understand it,' says Starmer, reports the Guardian, 'this is not a new agreement, but a confirmation by Ukraine that it is satisfied with the draft that emerged in Geneva, which obviously does not cover the territorial issue. So, as I understand it, this is basically a confirmation of what emerged from Geneva, but it is not in any way a new set of proposals or agreements."

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán will meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Friday 28 November. This was reported on his social channels by Szabolcs Panyi, a journalist for the Hungarian newspaper Direkt36, citing sources with knowledge of the trip. The indiscretion has not been officially confirmed at the moment. The last time Orbán travelled to Russia to meet Putin was in July 2024 just days before the start of the Hungarian rotating presidency of the EU Council.

Russia could reject a modified version of the US peace plan to end the war in Ukraine if it does not meet Moscow's long-standing demands. This is according to Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, who said that if the plan were to cancel key understandings that - according to Putin - had been reached with US President Donald Trump during the August summit in Anchorage, Alaska, 'the situation would be completely different'. The first version of the plan, which Lavrov said was "welcomed" by Moscow, required Ukraine to give up territory it has not yet lost in combat, as well as imposing other restrictions on Kiev. By contrast, the latest draft is less favourable to Moscow and leaves the most sensitive issues to be decided directly by Trump and Zelensky.

A Ukrainian delegation agreed with the US on the terms of a potential peace agreement. Abc reports this, citing a US official. "The Ukrainians have accepted the peace agreement," the source said. "There are some minor details to iron out, but they have agreed to a peace deal," he added.

"I can reassure that work is underway to finalise" the peace plan for Ukraine. This was said by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer reporting to the House of Commons. The prime minister added that the initial draft of the 28-point US peace plan included some that were 'not acceptable', but also contained some very important elements 'that will be essential for a just and lasting peace'. Although, in his view, 'there is still a long way to go and the path ahead is difficult'.

Romanian and German Nato fighter planes took off near the Romanian-Ukrainian border to respond to a drone incursion that went deeper than ever into Romanian airspace, in what Bucharest called a Russian provocation. Romanian Defence Minister Ionut Mosteanu said Nato pilots were on the verge of shooting down a drone that had repeatedly entered the airspace, but avoided for fear of causing damage on the ground. "We are facing a new Russian provocation against Romania, a drone that the Romanian army and German Eurofighters tried to shoot down," Mosteanu said. Russian drones struck Ukrainian ports overnight near the border with Romania. Today's breach is the thirteenth that Romania has reported in its airspace since the invasion of Ukraine. Besides being the deepest, it was also the first to occur during the day rather than at night.

"Late Monday evening and throughout Tuesday, Secretary Driscoll and his team held talks with the Russian delegation to achieve lasting peace in Ukraine. The talks are progressing well and we remain optimistic. Secretary Driscoll is in close contact with the White House'. This was stated by US Army Lieutenant Colonel Jeff Tolbert, Driscoll's spokesman, as reported by Reuters on the site. The exact nature of the talks is unclear, nor is it known who is part of the Russian delegation. A US official said that Driscoll was also due to meet Ukrainian officials in Abu Dhabi.

"Three ballistic missiles headed for the capital were shot down today. The Patriot system worked flawlessly against the Iskander-M. A Kinzhal missile was also intercepted'. That's the briefing of Ukrainian Air Force Command communications director Yuriy Ignat on the heavy night of Russian attacks, as reported by Rbc Ukraina. "Today was a busy night for the Defence Forces," he explained, "We worked intensively, practically all night. 'We had two waves of missile attacks, so to speak, with aero-ballistic missiles, ballistic missiles and cruise missiles, both naval and land-based' in various areas of Ukraine.

The European Parliament has definitively approved, with 457 votes in favour, 148 against and 33 abstentions, the European Defence Industry Programme (EDAP), a regulation already informally agreed with the Council that aims to strengthen Europe's defence technological and industrial base and enhance its capabilities. The new programme aims to consolidate the EU defence industry, foster joint procurement with a 65 per cent share of 'Buy European', increase production capacity and strengthen military support to Ukraine.

Today's statements by French President Emmanuel Macron on Ukraine (read below, ndr)have nothing to do with a peaceful solution, but are "just dreams", Russian Foreign Minister Serghei Lavrov told a press conference. "Macron made aggressive statements today, saying that the only problem in Ukraine is Russia and its demands," and that after the solution (of the conflict) he intends to send troops to the areas of Kiev, Odessa," Lavrov recalled, quoted by Tass. These words, the Russian diplomatic chief added, reflect "only dreams that have nothing to do with a peaceful solution".

"This morning I spoke with the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Keir Starmer. It was a good and very productive conversation. I thanked the Prime Minister for the solidarity expressed with the Ukrainian people. Tonight there was another Russian attack and this while Ukraine, together with America, Europe and many others around the world, is working practically around the clock to stop the massacre. After the meetings in Geneva we see many prospects that can make the path to peace a reality. There are significant results, and still a lot of work to be done'. Thus Volodymyr Zelensky on Telegram. "Today the meeting of the Coalition of the Willing will take place. We have coordinated positions and priority issues to be discussed, as well as some of our next steps and contacts," he adds.

Key provisions of US President Donald Trump's plan for a deal in Ukraine are based on an understanding reached in Anchorage, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said today.

"Russian President Vladimir Putin commented on President Trump's peace plan in detail and clearly several days ago. Our assessment remains valid in the sense that the key provisions of Trump's plan are based on the understandings reached in Anchorage during the Russian-American summit in August this year. And these principles are generally reflected in the plan, which we welcomed," Lavrov told a joint press conference with Belarusian Foreign Minister Maxim Ryzhenkov.

Russia did not receive the draft plan for a settlement in Ukraine through official channels, but is ready to discuss the specific wording of the document, the minister said.

Il ministro degli Esteri russo Sergey Lavrov. (Alexander Nemenov/Pool Photo via AP)

Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin ''is close to breaking point'' and that is why US President Donald Trump should increase his pressure on Moscow. Because in Russia ''the economic situation is very bad'' and ''soon we will run out of money to finance this war''. So said EU High Representative for Foreign Policy Kaja Kallas in an interview with BBC radio. "President Trump really wants peace and he wants it soon, as do the Ukrainians and the Europeans. You cannot blame him for that, it's a very, very noble cause," Kallas added, stating that "if we want to end this situation once and for all, we really need concessions from Russia." In short, he pointed out, it is crucial to make it 'impossible' for Putin to invade a country again. At the moment, she felt, the Russians 'I think they are in a difficult position, but they want us to believe that they can go on forever (fighting, ed.). But that is not true'. Kallas explained that ''national (Russian) funds are almost completely exhausted and 25 per cent of Russian companies are at risk of bankruptcy. Their economic situation is very bad'. So 'soon the money to finance this war will run out and this should be the breaking point'.

L’alto rappresentante della politica estera dell’Unione europea Kaja Kallas. EPA/OLIVIER HOSLET

Ukrainian authorities expect a meeting in the US between Volodymyr Zelensky and Donald Trump in November. "We plan to organise a visit of the president of Ukraine to the US as ;;early as possible in November to complete the final steps and reach an agreement with Trump," says Secretary of the National Security and Defence Council Rustem Umerov on social media.

Kiev drones may have struck the A-60, the Russian airborne laser, an experimental system developed in Soviet times to be loaded onto modified Il-76 transport planes, in a raid against the Taganrog complex, where the Taganrog-Yuzhny airbase and the Beriev industrial site are located, writes United Media 24, citing video footage. Only two prototypes of the laser system were produced. In the Ukrainian attack, a hangar used to modernise the Tu-95MS bombers, i.e. to adapt them to load the new Kh-101 cruise missiles, was also reportedly hit. Three people were killed in the attack.

The Russians launched a drone attack in the Odessa region overnight, injuring six people, including two children. This was reported by the head of the Odessa regional state administration Oleg Kiper, reported by the Ukrainian media.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov did not comment on the BBC report that there were talks between Russians and Americans in Abu Dhabi yesterday after the Ukrainian and US delegations met in Geneva on Sunday. "We have nothing to report yet," Peskov said, quoted by Tass, "We are monitoring media reports and analysing them carefully.

Inhabitants in the area of the city of Floresti in Moldova were evacuated after a drone crash last night during a massive Russian attack on Ukraine. This was stated by the Moldovan police. Nato fighters have meanwhile been scrambled in Romania to protect its airspace after at least one Russian drone violated Romanian airspace near the border with Ukraine, the Romanian defence ministry reported.

Russian forces launched '22 missiles of various types and over 460 drones against Ukraine overnight' causing deaths and injuries. "Some drones flew towards Moldova and Romania" (read below, ndr). Thus Ukrainian President Voldodymyr Zelensky condemns on Telegram the massive Russian night raids. "The main targets were energy and everything that ensures a normal life," he said, citing drones in Moldova and Romania and emphasising: "That is why all partners must remember that every day lives must be saved. Weapons and air defence are essential. There must be no interruption in aid'.

Moscow has not received the updated version of the 19-point peace plan for Ukraine. This was said by Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov in the press briefing.

"No. I mean, we don't know what it is," Peskov replied when asked if Moscow had received the updated plan.

Two F-16 fighter jets of the Romanian army and two Eurofighters of the German air police took to the air after two drones violated Romania's airspace. This was announced by the Ministry of Defence in Bucharest, explaining that the violation was detected near the border between Romania and Ukraine. The last time fighter jets took off in Romania was when a drone entered its airspace on 13 September during a Russian attack on Ukrainian infrastructure, Sky News recalls. Belgium, Germany, the Czech Republic, Spain, Norway and Denmark have reported recent drone incursions or sightings. On the night of 9 September alone, some 20 Russian drones entered Polish airspace. On 19 September, three Russian military jets violated Estonia's airspace for 12 minutes before Italian fighter jets escorted them out. On 23 October, Lithuania declared that two Russian jets had entered its airspace.

A US official confirmed to the BBC that there will be a meeting with Russian representatives in Abu Dhabi. This follows talks in Geneva between the US and Ukraine on a draft peace plan. According to a US official told Reuters, US Army Secretary Dan Driscoll held talks with Russian officials in Abu Dhabi yesterday.

"We must show that we are not weak in the face of the power that threatens us the most", namely Russia. This was stated by French President Emmanuel Macron during an interview with broadcaster RTL. "The day you give a sign of weakness to Russia, which in the past 10 years has made the strategic choice to return to being an imperial power, i.e. to advance wherever it sees weakness, well that day it will continue to advance," the Elysée chief said before a meeting of the so-called Coalition of the Willing. Speaking of Russian President Vladimir Putin, Macron said that ''if he wanted to, he would'' accept a ceasefire agreement. ''But today he continues to kill civilians, including in Kiev, and he continues to methodically destroy all energy and electricity infrastructure, throwing the population into cold and darkness,'' Macron said, stressing that ''peace begins with a ceasefire''.

The toll of the night air raid conducted by the Russian armed forces on Kiev with missiles and drones has risen to at least six dead and a dozen wounded. This was reported by the Ukrainian authorities, explaining that the attack on the Ukrainian capital targeted residential buildings and civilian infrastructure in several districts. In particular, a nine-storey building was hit in the Dniprovskyi district causing a fire in which two people died, including an 86-year-old woman. Tymur Tkachenko, head of Kiev's military administration, said that four people were killed in the city's Svyatoshynskyi district and accused Russia of 'deliberately targeting infrastructure and civilian housing'. After a few hours of calm in the city, sirens started to sound again around 5.30am local time, when Russia launched a second wave of cruise missiles towards Kiev, local sources told CNN. The southern region of Odessa was also attacked by drones, the Ukrainian Air Force said.

"Peace must always be built, but important steps forward" for a solution to the conflict in Ukraine "have been built. We are working, we are discussing. We support the US plan that needs to be revised, it is a starting point, but it seems to me that already the meetings with the Ukrainians are going in the right direction". This was said by Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani at a press point in Riyadh, where today he will attend the Italy-Saudi Arabia Business Forum with over 900 companies.

'Europe,' Tajani continued, 'will make its contribution, also because you cannot sign a peace agreement without a European presence, because Europe has imposed sanctions on the Russian Federation and therefore in order to close with a peace agreement we need Europe to withdraw its sanctions'.

The death toll of the Russian attack on Ukraine's capital Kiev has risen to four. This was announced on Telegram by the head of the Military Administration of the city of Kiev, Tymur Tkachenko. "In the Svyatoshyn district, 4 people were killed and at least 3 were injured.

The Russians are deliberately targeting infrastructure and civilian homes. Cynical terror,' writes Tkachenko.

Three dead after a Ukrainian attack hit the Russian regions of Krasnodar Krai and Rostov oblast. This was announced on Telegram by the region's governor, Yuri Slyusar. Ten were wounded, two treated on the spot and eight transferred to hospital.

The Russian Air Defence Forces shot down 249 Ukrainian drones over Russian regions overnight. This was stated - as reported by Tass - by the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation

At least two people died as a result of the night attacks conducted by the Russian armed forces on Kiev. This was announced by the Ukrainian emergency services, specifying that six were wounded. Those hit - with drones and rockets - were residential buildings in the Pecherskyi and Dniprovskyi districts.

Following the Russian rocket attack on Kiev, power and water supplies are reported to be cut off in various parts of the city. This was announced on Telegram by the mayor of the Ukrainian capital, Vitali Klitschko, urging citizens to stay in shelters. Mel district of Pechersk a fire broke out in a 22-storey residential building. The residents were evacuated. The flames affected the fourth to the seventh floor. This was reported by the mayor of the Ukrainian capital, Vitali Klitschko, on Telòegram, adding that emergency services are operating at the scene.

The Ukrainian Air Force has announced that a large number of Russian drones are currently in the Ukrainian skies. The movement of enemy drones is registered in the airspace of the eastern, northern, southern and central regions of the country. This was reported by Ukrainska Pravda.

Powerful explosions were heard in the Ukrainian capital Kiev after a missile warning had been issued.

According to the Ukrainian air force, the Ukrainian capital is under attack by ballistic missiles, with cruise missiles and attack drones also launched in the direction of the city. A CNN crew on site heard several explosions in Kiev.

DeepState, the open source map of the front line operated by Ukraine, reported that Russian occupation forces are advancing on several settlements in the Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia regions. This was written by Ukrainska Pravda. According to analysts, in the Donetsk region, Russian troops have advanced near Siversk, Novoselivka, Novoekonomichesky and Myrolyubivka. In the Zaporizhia region, advances were recorded near the village of Zatyshshya.