In brief

• Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha stated that Russia is not ready for serious peace negotiations, and it is crucial to maintain pressure on Moscow.
• Russian troops have gained new territories in the Kostiantynivka and Vozdvyzhivka areas, which may affect the situation on the front.
• An expert warns that a possible withdrawal of the USA from NATO could increase the risk of Russia using nuclear weapons in the Baltic states.
• On the night of October 24 to 25, drone attacks occurred in Russia, causing fires in several regions, including Belgorod and Omsk.
• A former American intelligence officer reported that Putin has ordered an intensification of attacks on civilian merchant ships in the Black Sea, affecting Ukraine's trade.

Ukrainian press

According to the Ukrainian Українська правда, Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha stated that Russia is not ready for serious peace negotiations as long as it hopes to achieve its goals through pressure on Ukraine. Sybiha emphasized that it is crucial to maintain and strengthen pressure on Russia to end the war, and the only effective strategy is "peace through strength". (Сибіга: РФ не готова до серйозних переговорів – Українська правда) TSN also reports that Minister Sybiha highlighted the importance of international unity in pursuing a just peace and that Russia has not received the expected support from the USA in exerting pressure on Ukraine («Не сяде за серйозні переговори»: Сибіга назвав умову, за якої Росія не піде на mir – TSN).

According to the Ukrainian press, the analytical project DeepState reports on the progress of Russian troops in the Kostiantynivka area in the Donetsk region and near the village of Vozdvyzhivka in the Zaporizhzhia region. The Russians have managed to gain new territories in these locations, which may affect the situation on the front (DeepState: Росіяни просунулись на Донеччині та Запоріжжі – Українська правда). TSN also reports on attacks in Zaporizhzhia, where buildings were damaged and one person was injured (Нічні обстріли України, ситуація на фронті: головні новини ночі 26 жовтня 2026 року – TSN).

Ukrainian TSN reports that a possible withdrawal of the USA from NATO could increase the risk of Russia using nuclear weapons, especially concerning the Baltic states. Expert Spencer Warren points out that after Ukraine, Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia could become potential targets for Moscow, and their armed forces are significantly weaker than Russia's. In the absence of NATO support, these countries may struggle to defend against Russian aggression, and forecasts indicate that Russia may be ready for a local conflict within six months and a regional war within two years (Вихід США з NATO може спровокувати застосування Росією ядерної зброї — Forbes – TSN).

Ukrainian press highlights the growing tensions surrounding a possible meeting between US President Donald Trump, Russian leader Vladimir Putin, and Chinese leader Xi Jinping. According to Espreso, such talks could strengthen Putin's position and harm the interests of Ukraine and its allies, including Poland and the Baltic states. The authors emphasize that the United States should act in close cooperation with Ukraine and Europe to avoid undermining its authority on the international stage and not repeat past mistakes, such as those from the Yalta Conference. (Путін прагне залякати НАТО, а Трамп може озлобитися на Україну, - Ян Бжезінський – Espreso)

The Ukrainian portal Telegraf reports that on the night of October 24 to 25, drone attacks occurred in Russia, causing fires in several regions, including Belgorod and Omsk. In Belgorod, there was an explosion in a shopping center, and in Omsk, an industrial zone was attacked, where a chemical company may have been affected. Explosions were also reported in the Perm Krai, but details regarding damages and casualties are not yet known (Бєлгород, Омськ, Перм, Орел вибухи 25 жовтня — що відомо про нічну атаку, де пожежі, карти - Телеграф – com.ua).

According to the Ukrainian Українська правда, Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Mike Johnson announced that the United States is close to starting trilateral negotiations to end Russia's war against Ukraine. Johnson emphasized that the U.S. administration is working intensively to end the conflict while noting that one cannot trust Russian President Vladimir Putin. In the context of negotiations, Putin previously expressed readiness for talks, but on terms favorable to Russia, raising doubts about his intentions. (Спікер Конгресу заявив, що США на порозі тристоронніх переговорів щодо України – Українська правда)

According to the Ukrainian portal Espreso, Russia may wage war for many years, but only if it can demonstrate some results. Otherwise, internal tensions may lead to a change in leadership, and international support for Russia may weaken. Therefore, it is crucial for Ukraine not to allow Putin to achieve successes, which should be the goal of every citizen. (Росія може воювати роками. Але... Росія не може воювати роками – Espreso)

According to the Ukrainian portal Espreso, former American intelligence officer Colonel Jonathan Swit reported that Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered his generals to act without any restrictions. Swit noted that Russia is intensifying attacks on civilian merchant ships in the Black Sea, affecting Ukraine's trade, including grain exports. He added that NATO should respond to this aggression, despite concerns about full support from the USA, and the Alliance's defense plan does not provide Ukraine with any security guarantees. (Путін наказав генералам діяти без жодних правил, — ветеран американської розвідки Світ – Espreso)

The Ukrainian newspaper NV points out that the war between Ukraine and Russia is a continuation of the struggle against post-Soviet institutions, reminiscent of events in Hungary in 1956. The author emphasizes that the Kremlin cannot allow the existence of independent institutions at its borders, as this poses a threat to its influence. In the context of Ukraine's pursuit of integration with Europe, Putin views denazification and control over the Church as key elements of his strategy, confirming that he has no intention of conceding on this issue (Путин не шутит. О годовщине Венгерского восстания и нашей войне – NV).

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