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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has warned that a planned meeting between Russia, China, and the United States next month could give the three participating nations an opportunity to redraw global spheres of influence. Speaking to journalists on Wednesday, Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine wants to avoid a repeat of the 1945 Yalta Conference where Allied powers carved up the world map.
Summit Concerns and Diplomatic Talks
The Kremlin previously indicated that preparations were underway for a summit between Russian President Vladimir Putin, US President Donald Trump, and Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of an Asia-Pacific gathering next month. The Wall Street Journal first reported the three-way proposal, noting that Putin raised the idea and that Trump was open to it as a way to end the war in Ukraine, though Trump had not formally agreed to attend.
Zelenskyy noted that the discussion agenda has not been clearly defined, stating that Russia wants the meeting more than anyone and warning against giving Moscow a major diplomatic advantage. For years, Russia has sought a new agreement with Washington regarding European security and an end to what Putin describes as NATO’s expansion. Putin continues to frame the invasion of Ukraine as an act of self-defense, a claim rejected by Kyiv and Europe.
The warnings preceded planned discussions between Ukrainian, Russian, and US envoys in the United Arab Emirates next month, with Kyiv hoping the Abu Dhabi meeting occurs before any US-Russia-China summit. Additionally, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will travel to the United States to meet G20 counterparts in Atlanta on October 30-31.
International Support and Military Needs
Zelenskyy’s remarks coincided with a visit to the Netherlands for meetings with Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten and King Willem-Alexander in The Hague. The Dutch government announced €1.2 billion in non-military support for Ukraine over the coming years. Zelenskyy also spoke by phone with British Prime Minister Andy Burnham to express gratitude for an extra £10 billion in support announced on Wednesday, calling it a timely step.
Despite international aid, Zelenskyy emphasized that Ukraine’s primary defense asset remains US Patriot air defense missiles, urging Washington to increase deliveries. He stated that Ukraine currently receives 12 missiles a month while facing incoming barrages of 150 ballistic missiles monthly.
Oleshky Ceasefire and Ongoing Attacks
On the battlefield, officials reported that a six-day localized ceasefire in the Russian-occupied southern town of Oleshky completed its first full day and night. The truce, running from Tuesday through Sunday, facilitates a humanitarian operation to deliver food and medicine to about 2,000 remaining residents and evacuate those wishing to leave. Zelenskyy expressed gratitude for the evacuation opportunity, noting the plight of Oleshky drew the attention of US First Lady Melania Trump, who the White House said helped broker the mission.
Ukrainian negotiator Davyd Arakhamia called it the biggest de-escalation since 2022, though fighting continued elsewhere. A Russian drone strike in Kharkiv injured five people, including a four-year-old child. In Russia, the Ministry of Defense reported downing 531 Ukrainian drones overnight, while Belgorod regional authorities reported one death from a drone attack.
Meanwhile, in Sofia, Bulgarian Defense Minister Dimitar Stoyanov reported that three maritime drones struck a container ship in the Black Sea off Bulgaria’s coast, forcing the crew to evacuate with no immediate casualties reported. The incident coincided with trilateral talks on Black Sea security attended by defense ministers from Bulgaria, Romania, and Turkey. Turkish Defense Minister Yasar Guler called for commercial navigation to be kept out of the conflict zone, while Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev noted to parliament that suspicion for recent Black Sea drone attacks points toward Moscow, though proof is lacking.
