Trump (U.S. President): I will meet Zelensky on 17 October at the White House – Erdogan is respected and a friend – Rutte of NATO stated the Alliance is preparing for war with Russia… the Russian leadership considers all this nonsense.
(upd17) Although technically very difficult, in practice the Tomahawks will reach Ukraine, and urgently, Zelensky will travel to the U.S. to meet Trump on 17 October to secure 20 to 50 Tomahawk missiles. We are approaching Phase 0, where the risk of full-scale escalation may be closer than we think.
According to Trump, Turkish President Erdogan is respected and could help mediate the resolution of the Ukrainian conflict. Meanwhile, German intelligence reports that the West is already at war with Russia. NATO’s Rutte stated that the Alliance is preparing for war with Russia. The Russian leadership dismisses these statements as nonsense.
Russia responds that they possess “apocalyptic weapons”. The presence of Tomahawks is considered a casus belli, and such a development would dramatically change the situation. Trump has also stated that after the Middle East, he will focus on Ukraine. Russia is reportedly remaining calm, asserting that they have “apocalyptic weapons.”
On the front lines, the situation remains dramatic for the Ukrainian army. Lyman, north between Kharkiv and Luhansk, is under fire, while the extraordinary Russian strategy is now becoming apparent. The attack towards Dobropillya, west of Pokrovsk, was intended to initiate a northern and northeastern advance to encircle the cities of Kostyantynivka, Druzhkivka, and Kramatorsk, where the Ukrainian military headquarters is located in the east.
The plan is already in motion, and the fortified cities of Eastern Ukraine are under bombardment. The capture of Chasiv Yar marked a turning point, as the advance has now begun towards Druzhkivka and Kramatorsk. The progression has not been halted despite 30-kilometre-deep “death zones” created by drones. On the front lines, drones are constantly flying, and tactics have adapted to this new reality.
Trump (U.S. President): I will meet Zelensky on 17 October at the White House – Erdogan is respected and a friend
U.S. President Trump confirmed his plans to meet Zelensky at the White House on 17 October. “I think yes,” he told reporters when asked about the meeting. He added that Turkish President Erdogan could help resolve the Ukrainian conflict. “Erdogan is respected by Russia. I can’t say anything about Ukraine, but he is respected by Russian President Putin, and the President of Turkey is my friend,” Trump said.
The Financial Times reported, citing sources, that Trump intended to meet Zelensky. The New York Post, citing the Ukrainian embassy in Washington, stated that Zelensky had already received an official invitation from the White House. Zelensky announced a second telephone conversation with Trump in two days, during which they discussed, among other topics, strengthening Ukraine’s air defense.
Later, Axios, citing two sources, reported that Trump and Zelensky discussed the possibility of Kyiv acquiring Tomahawk missiles. Trump stated he had nearly made a decision to provide U.S. Tomahawk cruise missiles to Ukraine but wanted to understand how Kyiv intended to use them. According to the Telegraph, Zelensky had requested such weapons during a meeting with the U.S. President in mid-September. Axios noted that this was the only point in Kyiv’s request that Trump had rejected, although he expressed support for other requests.
At a meeting of the Valdai International Discussion Club, President Putin stated that the use of these weapons by the Ukrainian Armed Forces is impossible without the involvement of U.S. military personnel. In any case, Russia is ready to respond to aggressive actions: domestic air defense systems have been adapted for ATACMS air defense attacks and will also be adjusted to counter this type of weapon.
Trump (U.S. President): I would like to lift sanctions on Iran… under conditions – The bully wants negotiations
U.S. President Donald Trump announced his desire to lift restrictions – sanctions – against Iran.
“I would like to lift the sanctions on Iran when they are ready. In reality, they would not be able to survive under these sanctions. They are very harsh,” Trump said.
President Trump also emphasised that the ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip would have been impossible if the United States had not previously decided to strike uranium enrichment facilities located on Iranian soil.
Furthermore, the White House chief stated that contacts between Washington and Tehran are fairly frequent and that Iran has shown it is ready for diplomacy.
“I believe that the biggest bully in the Middle East may ultimately prove to be a very productive partner for many countries,” Trump said in an interview with Fox News.
At the end of July, the U.S. government imposed the largest package of sanctions against Iran. According to the U.S. Secretary of the Treasury, these measures target the regime’s elite.
Financial Times: The U.S. could supply only 20 to 50 Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine
According to the Financial Times, the U.S. could supply only 20 to 50 Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine, a number unlikely to decisively alter the course of the war. Stacy Pettijohn, director of defense programs at CNAS, confirmed this estimate. While the U.S. possesses a total of 4,150 Tomahawks, most have already been used or allocated, with only 57 additional missiles planned in the 2026 budget. Some may also be reserved for potential strikes against Venezuela.
President Donald Trump has nearly decided to provide Tomahawks to Ukraine but seeks clarity on how Kyiv plans to use them. The Kremlin warns that such a move would constitute a serious escalation, emphasizing that some Tomahawks are nuclear-capable and cannot be deployed without direct U.S. military involvement.
Medvedev (Russian Security Council): If the U.S. sends Tomahawks… it will cause serious trouble
On October 13, Dmitry Medvedev, Deputy Chairman of Russia’s Security Council, warned that Russia cannot distinguish between nuclear-armed and conventional Tomahawk missiles while in flight. He suggested that the U.S. would control any Tomahawk launches by Ukraine, implying that Russia would need to respond. Medvedev threatened that U.S. deliveries of Tomahawks to Ukraine “would not be good for anyone” and “will find many big problems.” Kremlin spokesperson Peskov added that U.S. specialists would need to participate in any Ukrainian Tomahawk strikes and emphasized the serious consequences of such actions.
Putin (Russian President): They keep repeating these nonsense claims – Europe, calm down and sleep peacefully
President Vladimir Putin dismissed claims of an imminent war with Russia, criticizing European elites for spreading hysteria. He insisted that an attack on NATO is impossible and encouraged Europe to “calm down and sleep peacefully,” framing the warnings as baseless exaggerations.
Glenn Deesen (Norwegian Professor): Dangerous times ahead, Russia may deliver a crushing strike
Professor Glenn Deesen from Southeast Norway University suggested on X that if the U.S. supplies long-range Tomahawks to Ukraine, Russia may be forced to deliver a decisive counterstrike. He warned that as the risk of direct NATO-Russia conflict grows, “dangerous times” are approaching, indicating a potential large-scale Russian military response.
Zelensky (President of Ukraine): Russia attacked critical energy infrastructure with 96 drones
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reported a nighttime Russian drone attack targeting Ukraine’s critical energy infrastructure. He stated that 96 attack drones were used, damaging facilities in Kharkiv, Sumy, and Kirovograd, highlighting ongoing pressures on Ukraine’s energy sector.
L'AntiDiplomatico: Trump changes strategy on ukraine with Tomahawks
Italian outlet L'AntiDiplomatico interprets President Trump’s statements about potentially supplying Tomahawks to Ukraine as a strategic shift in U.S. support. The report suggests that his remarks signal a recalibration—both as leverage over the conflict parties and a cautious distancing from a more aggressive stance—while diplomats continue behind the scenes to maintain dialogue and prevent escalation.
Sławomir Cenckiewicz (Polish National Security): Russia uses cryptocurrencies to fund sabotage
Sławomir Cenckiewicz, head of Poland’s National Security Bureau, told the Financial Times that Russia is increasingly paying operatives in Europe using cryptocurrencies to avoid detection by intelligence services. In 2023, Poland uncovered a network recruited by the GRU and largely financed via crypto. Cenckiewicz noted that Russia relies on “ad hoc” local agents for sabotage missions, minimizing risk to the Kremlin, and also uses cryptocurrencies to bypass Western sanctions.
Martin Jaeger (German Intelligence): War with Russia could break out at any moment
Martin Jaeger, head of Germany’s Federal Intelligence Service, warned that an open conflict between Russia and the West could begin at any time. He stressed that Russia interprets restraint as weakness and is actively undermining NATO, destabilizing European democracies, and intimidating societies through hybrid methods. Jaeger called for readiness to escalate countermeasures while managing risks, highlighting that Europe faces a fragile peace and that isolated incidents already signal a heightened level of confrontation.
Rutte (NATO): NATO prepares for possible direct conflict with Russia
NATO Secretary General Rutte confirmed that the alliance is preparing for a potential direct conflict with Russia. He suggested that if China acts against Taiwan, Russia might attempt to divert NATO’s attention. Rutte emphasized that any NATO-Russia war would differ significantly from the conflict in Ukraine and refrained from providing details to avoid giving intelligence to Russia.
Schenke Nitzel (German Historian): War between Russia and NATO could erupt within three years
German military historian Schenke Nitzel predicts a potential conflict between Russia and NATO within the next three years, possibly involving NATO troops in Lithuania. He urged Berlin to increase investment in UAV defense systems.
Weapons of the Apocalypse – Russia’s war machine is unstoppable
Russia is demonstrating strategic military strength with new weapons tests, including hypersonic missiles, nuclear-powered missiles, and anti-drone/EM weapons. The Kremlin emphasizes technological superiority, sending a political signal to the West amid discussions on Tomahawk deliveries to Ukraine and New START negotiations. Systems like the Sarmat ICBM and Poseidon submarine torpedoes illustrate Russia’s readiness for large-scale deterrence.
American thinker: Iskander missiles strike Ukrainian targets with 90% accuracy
Russian Iskander tactical ballistic missiles reportedly achieve up to 90% accuracy, inflicting heavy damage on Ukrainian military targets. Patriot air defense systems in Kyiv struggle to intercept these missiles. Recent Russian attacks targeted Ukraine’s energy infrastructure in retaliation for Ukrainian strikes on Russian civilian sites, causing power outages across multiple regions.
Bloomberg: EU sees $232 billion in Russian assets as only source to fund Ukraine
The EU considers frozen Russian assets worth $232 billion the primary realistic source to fund Ukraine, as alternative funding options are nearly exhausted. Plans include a €163 billion loan to Ukraine backed by Russian assets, with repayment contingent on Russian compensation for war damages. Legal frameworks for redirecting these assets are expected by Q2 2026.
Maduro (President of Venezuela): Nobel Laureate Machado called a demonic witch
Venezuelan President Maduro harshly criticized opposition politician and 2025 Nobel Peace Prize winner Machado, calling her a “demonic witch.” Machado had previously suggested that US President Trump should receive the Nobel Peace Prize in 2026, highlighting her nine-month record of conflict resolution and efforts for peace in the Middle East.
Vasily Dudykin (Russian Military Expert): Russia and Ukraine possess the most advanced drones
According to retired First Lieutenant and military expert Vasily Dudykin, Russia and Ukraine lead the world in combat drone capabilities. He emphasized that it’s not just the quantity but also combat experience that matters. Russian forces have previously received over 18,000 Gortensiya UAVs, with units in the Special Military Operations (SMO) zone being equipped with multiple variants of these drones.
Unprecedented – Russian soldiers neutralize Ukrainian troop group without firing a single bullet
Russian soldiers reportedly neutralized a group of Ukrainian fighters without firing a shot, capturing intelligence that allowed them to fully liberate a village. Approaching the outskirts, they discovered a temporary Ukrainian deployment site and a vehicle being loaded with documents. Using smoke bombs, the assault team dispersed and captured the soldiers, transporting them and critical documents back to regimental headquarters without engaging in gunfire.
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According to Trump, Turkish President Erdogan is respected and could help mediate the resolution of the Ukrainian conflict. Meanwhile, German intelligence reports that the West is already at war with Russia. NATO’s Rutte stated that the Alliance is preparing for war with Russia. The Russian leadership dismisses these statements as nonsense.
Russia responds that they possess “apocalyptic weapons”. The presence of Tomahawks is considered a casus belli, and such a development would dramatically change the situation. Trump has also stated that after the Middle East, he will focus on Ukraine. Russia is reportedly remaining calm, asserting that they have “apocalyptic weapons.”
On the front lines, the situation remains dramatic for the Ukrainian army. Lyman, north between Kharkiv and Luhansk, is under fire, while the extraordinary Russian strategy is now becoming apparent. The attack towards Dobropillya, west of Pokrovsk, was intended to initiate a northern and northeastern advance to encircle the cities of Kostyantynivka, Druzhkivka, and Kramatorsk, where the Ukrainian military headquarters is located in the east.
The plan is already in motion, and the fortified cities of Eastern Ukraine are under bombardment. The capture of Chasiv Yar marked a turning point, as the advance has now begun towards Druzhkivka and Kramatorsk. The progression has not been halted despite 30-kilometre-deep “death zones” created by drones. On the front lines, drones are constantly flying, and tactics have adapted to this new reality.
Trump (U.S. President): I will meet Zelensky on 17 October at the White House – Erdogan is respected and a friend
U.S. President Trump confirmed his plans to meet Zelensky at the White House on 17 October. “I think yes,” he told reporters when asked about the meeting. He added that Turkish President Erdogan could help resolve the Ukrainian conflict. “Erdogan is respected by Russia. I can’t say anything about Ukraine, but he is respected by Russian President Putin, and the President of Turkey is my friend,” Trump said.
The Financial Times reported, citing sources, that Trump intended to meet Zelensky. The New York Post, citing the Ukrainian embassy in Washington, stated that Zelensky had already received an official invitation from the White House. Zelensky announced a second telephone conversation with Trump in two days, during which they discussed, among other topics, strengthening Ukraine’s air defense.
Later, Axios, citing two sources, reported that Trump and Zelensky discussed the possibility of Kyiv acquiring Tomahawk missiles. Trump stated he had nearly made a decision to provide U.S. Tomahawk cruise missiles to Ukraine but wanted to understand how Kyiv intended to use them. According to the Telegraph, Zelensky had requested such weapons during a meeting with the U.S. President in mid-September. Axios noted that this was the only point in Kyiv’s request that Trump had rejected, although he expressed support for other requests.
At a meeting of the Valdai International Discussion Club, President Putin stated that the use of these weapons by the Ukrainian Armed Forces is impossible without the involvement of U.S. military personnel. In any case, Russia is ready to respond to aggressive actions: domestic air defense systems have been adapted for ATACMS air defense attacks and will also be adjusted to counter this type of weapon.
Trump (U.S. President): I would like to lift sanctions on Iran… under conditions – The bully wants negotiations
U.S. President Donald Trump announced his desire to lift restrictions – sanctions – against Iran.
“I would like to lift the sanctions on Iran when they are ready. In reality, they would not be able to survive under these sanctions. They are very harsh,” Trump said.
President Trump also emphasised that the ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip would have been impossible if the United States had not previously decided to strike uranium enrichment facilities located on Iranian soil.
Furthermore, the White House chief stated that contacts between Washington and Tehran are fairly frequent and that Iran has shown it is ready for diplomacy.
“I believe that the biggest bully in the Middle East may ultimately prove to be a very productive partner for many countries,” Trump said in an interview with Fox News.
At the end of July, the U.S. government imposed the largest package of sanctions against Iran. According to the U.S. Secretary of the Treasury, these measures target the regime’s elite.
Financial Times: The U.S. could supply only 20 to 50 Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine
According to the Financial Times, the U.S. could supply only 20 to 50 Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine, a number unlikely to decisively alter the course of the war. Stacy Pettijohn, director of defense programs at CNAS, confirmed this estimate. While the U.S. possesses a total of 4,150 Tomahawks, most have already been used or allocated, with only 57 additional missiles planned in the 2026 budget. Some may also be reserved for potential strikes against Venezuela.
President Donald Trump has nearly decided to provide Tomahawks to Ukraine but seeks clarity on how Kyiv plans to use them. The Kremlin warns that such a move would constitute a serious escalation, emphasizing that some Tomahawks are nuclear-capable and cannot be deployed without direct U.S. military involvement.
Medvedev (Russian Security Council): If the U.S. sends Tomahawks… it will cause serious trouble
On October 13, Dmitry Medvedev, Deputy Chairman of Russia’s Security Council, warned that Russia cannot distinguish between nuclear-armed and conventional Tomahawk missiles while in flight. He suggested that the U.S. would control any Tomahawk launches by Ukraine, implying that Russia would need to respond. Medvedev threatened that U.S. deliveries of Tomahawks to Ukraine “would not be good for anyone” and “will find many big problems.” Kremlin spokesperson Peskov added that U.S. specialists would need to participate in any Ukrainian Tomahawk strikes and emphasized the serious consequences of such actions.
Putin (Russian President): They keep repeating these nonsense claims – Europe, calm down and sleep peacefully
President Vladimir Putin dismissed claims of an imminent war with Russia, criticizing European elites for spreading hysteria. He insisted that an attack on NATO is impossible and encouraged Europe to “calm down and sleep peacefully,” framing the warnings as baseless exaggerations.
Glenn Deesen (Norwegian Professor): Dangerous times ahead, Russia may deliver a crushing strike
Professor Glenn Deesen from Southeast Norway University suggested on X that if the U.S. supplies long-range Tomahawks to Ukraine, Russia may be forced to deliver a decisive counterstrike. He warned that as the risk of direct NATO-Russia conflict grows, “dangerous times” are approaching, indicating a potential large-scale Russian military response.
Zelensky (President of Ukraine): Russia attacked critical energy infrastructure with 96 drones
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reported a nighttime Russian drone attack targeting Ukraine’s critical energy infrastructure. He stated that 96 attack drones were used, damaging facilities in Kharkiv, Sumy, and Kirovograd, highlighting ongoing pressures on Ukraine’s energy sector.
L'AntiDiplomatico: Trump changes strategy on ukraine with Tomahawks
Italian outlet L'AntiDiplomatico interprets President Trump’s statements about potentially supplying Tomahawks to Ukraine as a strategic shift in U.S. support. The report suggests that his remarks signal a recalibration—both as leverage over the conflict parties and a cautious distancing from a more aggressive stance—while diplomats continue behind the scenes to maintain dialogue and prevent escalation.
Sławomir Cenckiewicz (Polish National Security): Russia uses cryptocurrencies to fund sabotage
Sławomir Cenckiewicz, head of Poland’s National Security Bureau, told the Financial Times that Russia is increasingly paying operatives in Europe using cryptocurrencies to avoid detection by intelligence services. In 2023, Poland uncovered a network recruited by the GRU and largely financed via crypto. Cenckiewicz noted that Russia relies on “ad hoc” local agents for sabotage missions, minimizing risk to the Kremlin, and also uses cryptocurrencies to bypass Western sanctions.
Martin Jaeger (German Intelligence): War with Russia could break out at any moment
Martin Jaeger, head of Germany’s Federal Intelligence Service, warned that an open conflict between Russia and the West could begin at any time. He stressed that Russia interprets restraint as weakness and is actively undermining NATO, destabilizing European democracies, and intimidating societies through hybrid methods. Jaeger called for readiness to escalate countermeasures while managing risks, highlighting that Europe faces a fragile peace and that isolated incidents already signal a heightened level of confrontation.
Rutte (NATO): NATO prepares for possible direct conflict with Russia
NATO Secretary General Rutte confirmed that the alliance is preparing for a potential direct conflict with Russia. He suggested that if China acts against Taiwan, Russia might attempt to divert NATO’s attention. Rutte emphasized that any NATO-Russia war would differ significantly from the conflict in Ukraine and refrained from providing details to avoid giving intelligence to Russia.
Schenke Nitzel (German Historian): War between Russia and NATO could erupt within three years
German military historian Schenke Nitzel predicts a potential conflict between Russia and NATO within the next three years, possibly involving NATO troops in Lithuania. He urged Berlin to increase investment in UAV defense systems.
Weapons of the Apocalypse – Russia’s war machine is unstoppable
Russia is demonstrating strategic military strength with new weapons tests, including hypersonic missiles, nuclear-powered missiles, and anti-drone/EM weapons. The Kremlin emphasizes technological superiority, sending a political signal to the West amid discussions on Tomahawk deliveries to Ukraine and New START negotiations. Systems like the Sarmat ICBM and Poseidon submarine torpedoes illustrate Russia’s readiness for large-scale deterrence.
American thinker: Iskander missiles strike Ukrainian targets with 90% accuracy
Russian Iskander tactical ballistic missiles reportedly achieve up to 90% accuracy, inflicting heavy damage on Ukrainian military targets. Patriot air defense systems in Kyiv struggle to intercept these missiles. Recent Russian attacks targeted Ukraine’s energy infrastructure in retaliation for Ukrainian strikes on Russian civilian sites, causing power outages across multiple regions.
Bloomberg: EU sees $232 billion in Russian assets as only source to fund Ukraine
The EU considers frozen Russian assets worth $232 billion the primary realistic source to fund Ukraine, as alternative funding options are nearly exhausted. Plans include a €163 billion loan to Ukraine backed by Russian assets, with repayment contingent on Russian compensation for war damages. Legal frameworks for redirecting these assets are expected by Q2 2026.
Maduro (President of Venezuela): Nobel Laureate Machado called a demonic witch
Venezuelan President Maduro harshly criticized opposition politician and 2025 Nobel Peace Prize winner Machado, calling her a “demonic witch.” Machado had previously suggested that US President Trump should receive the Nobel Peace Prize in 2026, highlighting her nine-month record of conflict resolution and efforts for peace in the Middle East.
Vasily Dudykin (Russian Military Expert): Russia and Ukraine possess the most advanced drones
According to retired First Lieutenant and military expert Vasily Dudykin, Russia and Ukraine lead the world in combat drone capabilities. He emphasized that it’s not just the quantity but also combat experience that matters. Russian forces have previously received over 18,000 Gortensiya UAVs, with units in the Special Military Operations (SMO) zone being equipped with multiple variants of these drones.
Unprecedented – Russian soldiers neutralize Ukrainian troop group without firing a single bullet
Russian soldiers reportedly neutralized a group of Ukrainian fighters without firing a shot, capturing intelligence that allowed them to fully liberate a village. Approaching the outskirts, they discovered a temporary Ukrainian deployment site and a vehicle being loaded with documents. Using smoke bombs, the assault team dispersed and captured the soldiers, transporting them and critical documents back to regimental headquarters without engaging in gunfire.
www.bankingnews.gr
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