Putin reportedly proposes three-way summit with Trump and Xi on Ukraine war — without Zelenskyy

Published Sun, Oct 18 202611:56 PM EDTUpdated 3 Hours Ago1/2

Key Points

The Wall Street Journal reported Vladimir Putin had reportedly suggested a summit between himself, U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping for a deal to end the Ukraine war.

The summit is not confirmed, but if it takes place will not involve Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

The report comes amid mounting tensions between Ukraine and the U.S., its largest military backer.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has reportedly floated a three-way summit between himself, U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping to negotiate an end to the war in Ukraine,without Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the table.

The meeting was mentioned in a phone call to Trump on Oct. 9, the Wall Street Journal reported on Monday, citing a former Russian intelligence officer briefed on the matter. Such a summit may take place at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in November in the Chinese city of Shenzhen, according to the report.

The call also produced a deal for Moscow to sell diesel on the global market.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said early Monday that “there’s been talks of a meeting. I don’t know whether it’s been finalized, but the president has been clear,” he said in comments reported by Reuters.

“The president is open to anything that he can do to help bring a war to an end, if it’s possible, and we’ll continue to look for opportunities to do that,” Rubio told reporters during a visit to Uzbekistan.

It comes amid mounting tensions between Ukraine and the U.S., its largest military backer. Over the past week, a series of moves by the Trump administration has raised fresh questions about Washington’s reliability as Kyiv’s most important military partner. It caused alarm among European allies and prompted criticism from fellow Republicans.

Over the weekend, Trump defended his decision to temporarily lift sanctions on Russian diesel exports, as well as an executive order on Oct. 18 to waive new Russia sanctions from a bill introduced by the late Senator Lindsey Graham.

Trump and Zelenskyy have traded criticism over how to end the war in Ukraine, with Trump accusing the Ukrainian president of not wanting peace, while Zelenskyy has argued that Washington’s easing of sanctions on Russia risks prolonging the conflict. In a post on X, Zelenskyy said that ″the decision to undo all of this, to block all of it, seems wrong to me.”

The tensions come as Russia launched another wave of overnight attacks on Ukraine, firing 16 ballistic missiles at Kyiv and the surrounding region and more than 200 drones across the country, according to Zelenskyy.

In a post on X on Monday, Zelenskyy said the strikes damaged more than 10 energy infrastructure facilities, leaving at least 550,000 households without power. He also said Ukraine had once again received no advance warning from its partners about the missile attacks. Casualties were reported, while a medical clinic, school, metro station and residential buildings were also damaged.

Mounting tensions

Ukraine’s First Deputy Minister for Recovery, Infrastructure and Transport Serhiy Derkach told CNBC on Monday that Kyiv still hoped to retain Washington’s support despite the growing tensions.

Asked whether the Trump administration was abandoning Ukraine and siding with Russia, Derkach said he did not believe the U.S. was abandoning Kyiv, but stressed that Ukraine hoped Washington would continue helping it or at least “stay in the middle.”

“That’s most important for us actually, not to lose the support of the U.S.,” he said.

Russia has also intensified attacks on Ukraine’s transport infrastructure, including road border crossings, railways and shipping routes, Derkach said.

It comes after Trump told Ukraine to stop striking Russian energy infrastructure, claiming that it was driving up global diesel prices.

Despite an “energy ceasefire” announced by Trump on Oct. 11, Russia continued striking Ukrainian infrastructure. Kyiv paused its attacks for three days before resuming them last Thursday, citing continued Russian strikes.

https://www.cnbc.com/2026/10/19/putin-trump-xi-ukraine-war-energy.html

Putin reportedly proposes three-way summit with Trump and Xi on Ukraine war — without Zelenskyy

Published Sun, Oct 18 202611:56 PM EDTUpdated 3 Hours Ago1/2

Key Points

The Wall Street Journal reported Vladimir Putin had reportedly suggested a summit between himself, U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping for a deal to end the Ukraine war.

The summit is not confirmed, but if it takes place will not involve Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

The report comes amid mounting tensions between Ukraine and the U.S., its largest military backer.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has reportedly floated a three-way summit between himself, U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping to negotiate an end to the war in Ukraine,without Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the table.

The meeting was mentioned in a phone call to Trump on Oct. 9, the Wall Street Journal reported on Monday, citing a former Russian intelligence officer briefed on the matter. Such a summit may take place at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in November in the Chinese city of Shenzhen, according to the report.

The call also produced a deal for Moscow to sell diesel on the global market.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said early Monday that “there’s been talks of a meeting. I don’t know whether it’s been finalized, but the president has been clear,” he said in comments reported by Reuters.

“The president is open to anything that he can do to help bring a war to an end, if it’s possible, and we’ll continue to look for opportunities to do that,” Rubio told reporters during a visit to Uzbekistan.

It comes amid mounting tensions between Ukraine and the U.S., its largest military backer. Over the past week, a series of moves by the Trump administration has raised fresh questions about Washington’s reliability as Kyiv’s most important military partner. It caused alarm among European allies and prompted criticism from fellow Republicans.

Over the weekend, Trump defended his decision to temporarily lift sanctions on Russian diesel exports, as well as an executive order on Oct. 18 to waive new Russia sanctions from a bill introduced by the late Senator Lindsey Graham.

Trump and Zelenskyy have traded criticism over how to end the war in Ukraine, with Trump accusing the Ukrainian president of not wanting peace, while Zelenskyy has argued that Washington’s easing of sanctions on Russia risks prolonging the conflict. In a post on X, Zelenskyy said that ″the decision to undo all of this, to block all of it, seems wrong to me.”

The tensions come as Russia launched another wave of overnight attacks on Ukraine, firing 16 ballistic missiles at Kyiv and the surrounding region and more than 200 drones across the country, according to Zelenskyy.

In a post on X on Monday, Zelenskyy said the strikes damaged more than 10 energy infrastructure facilities, leaving at least 550,000 households without power. He also said Ukraine had once again received no advance warning from its partners about the missile attacks. Casualties were reported, while a medical clinic, school, metro station and residential buildings were also damaged.

Mounting tensions

Ukraine’s First Deputy Minister for Recovery, Infrastructure and Transport Serhiy Derkach told CNBC on Monday that Kyiv still hoped to retain Washington’s support despite the growing tensions.

Asked whether the Trump administration was abandoning Ukraine and siding with Russia, Derkach said he did not believe the U.S. was abandoning Kyiv, but stressed that Ukraine hoped Washington would continue helping it or at least “stay in the middle.”

“That’s most important for us actually, not to lose the support of the U.S.,” he said.

Russia has also intensified attacks on Ukraine’s transport infrastructure, including road border crossings, railways and shipping routes, Derkach said.

It comes after Trump told Ukraine to stop striking Russian energy infrastructure, claiming that it was driving up global diesel prices.

Despite an “energy ceasefire” announced by Trump on Oct. 11, Russia continued striking Ukrainian infrastructure. Kyiv paused its attacks for three days before resuming them last Thursday, citing continued Russian strikes.

https://www.cnbc.com/2026/10/19/putin-trump-xi-ukraine-war-energy.html

Outrageous: Lesley Stahl Can’t Understand Why Trump Is Investigating Illegal Alien Voters – Harmeet Dhillon Has to Break Down Why Laws Are Important to Her(Video)

by Jim Hoft Oct. 19, 2026 7:45 am

Attorney Harmeet Dhillon went on with “60 Minutes” to discuss the Trump administration’s policies to bring faith and confidence back into our national elections.

During her discussion with “60 Minutes” tired, leftist battle horse Lesley Stahl. The conversation went to illegal aliens voting in the US today.

As we all know, it is very easy for foreigners to vote in US elections when you have states like California that include them on their voter roles after they apply for a drivers license.

This is common knowledge for anyone who has been paying attention.

But, Lesley Stahl was confused to why the Trump administration would spend their time cleaning up voter rolls.

It was all very confusing.

Lesley Stahl: There are people who feel that the point is to sow distrust about the whole election system. There are very few people who are noncitizens who end up voting, very, very few, and so therefore What’s the purpose?

Harmeet Dhillon: The point is actually the opposite of what you were saying. It’s not to sow distrust. The distrust is there. And so all of these kinds of crimes are being prosecuted now for the first time, really, in volume. And look, even the Biden administration prosecuted 13 people for noncitizen voting.

Lesley Stahl: 13 people. I mean, the numbers are tiny.

Harmeet Dhillon: So, Leslie, we’ve been in office for less than 2 years. We’ve had investigations ongoing for over a year, and it takes time. There are literally thousands of them out there that we are looking at.

Why do we have laws, Leslie? Why is that?

There is a reason why California will not provide its full, unredacted statewide voter rolls to the U.S. Department of Justice, and it more recently declined to act on a specific federal list of alleged noncitizens.

We all know what that reason is. Poor Lesley thinks investigating voter rolls generates voter disenfranchisement. It does. Especially with illegal voters!

https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2026/10/outrageous-leslie-stahl-cant-understand-why-trump-is/

Suspicious Phone Call Triggers Law Enforcement Investigation and Traffic Delays at President Donald J. Trump International Airport – Just Hours Before Trump’s Departure

by Jim Hᴏft Oct. 19, 2026

A suspicious phone call set off a major law enforcement response Sunday afternoon at President Donald J. Trump International Airport in West Palm Beach, Florida, forcing the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office (PBSO) to slow traffic into the terminal as a precaution and leaving travelers facing potential delays.

The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office (PBSO) confirmed that authorities investigated a bomb threat at the airport. Fortunately, no explosive device was found.

Airport officials posted the alert on X around 1:23 p.m.: “Law enforcement is investigating a suspicious phone call. As a precaution, PBSO has slowed traffic entering the terminal. Travelers may experience delays. If you see something, say something. Report suspicious activity to law enforcement.

Thanks for your patience & cooperation.”

According to WPTV, a witness reported that vehicle access to the arrivals and departures area had been blocked.

Some frustrated passengers reportedly abandoned their vehicles along Belvedere Boulevard and began walking toward the terminal, apparently fearing they would miss their flights.

Meanwhile, WPBF 25 News confirmed a significant police presence, with deputies redirecting motorists around the airport.

The timing was particularly concerning.

President Trump had been spending the weekend in South Florida and was reportedly expected to fly back to Washington later Sunday.

However, authorities have not publicly established that the bomb threat specifically targeted Trump or was connected to his scheduled departure. There has also been no publicly confirmed identification of the caller.

By approximately 2:34 p.m., airport officials announced that access roads had reopened and normal operations had resumed.

The scare occurred while President Trump was in the West Palm Beach area and hours before he was scheduled to depart the airport for Washington, D.C.

The airport, formerly Palm Beach International (PBI), was officially renamed President Donald J. Trump International Airport earlier this year after legislation signed by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. The three-letter code is now DJT.

https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2026/10/suspicious-phone-call-triggers-law-enforcement-investigation-traffic/

Biden-Appointed Judge REFUSES to Recuse Herself from Trump Golf Course Case After DOJ Accuses Her of Bias — Defends Angry Outburst Against Administration Lawyers

by Jim Hᴏft Oct. 19, 2026 8:15 am

U.S. District Judge Ana C. Reyes, a Biden appointee, has flatly refused to step aside from the ongoing lawsuit seeking to block President Trump’s renovation of Washington, D.C.’s East Potomac Golf Course.

In a 13-page memorandum opinion issued October 18,Reyes denied the Department of Justice’s motion to disqualify her for bias, arguing that government lawyers “omitted context” behind her furious October 12 outburst and ignored her repeated earlier praise of DOJ counsel.

As The Gateway Pundit previously reported, Reyes, a foreign-born Biden judge, erupted at Trump administration attorneys during an emergency hearing after the National Park Service removed more than 400 trees from the course over the Columbus Day holiday weekend.

She declared she was “furious,” that the government’s actions had “cost the government all of its credibility,” and that “ignorance is not an excuse,” before issuing a temporary restraining order halting further tree cutting. She later extended the block through at least October 26.

In her denial of the recusal motion (filed by Associate Attorney General Stanley Woodward), Reyes laid out the government’s claims side-by-side with what she called “the record.” She noted that she had, for months, declined nearly a dozen requests from the D.C.

Preservation League and other plaintiffs to restrain the government, repeatedly credited DOJ lawyers’ representations, and refused to presume bad faith.

Early in the case she had praised a government brief as “one of the more exceptional government briefs I have seen in three years on the bench,” calling the writing “spectacular” and the analysis “spot on.”

Transcript excerpts she quoted include statements such as “you know I have an immense amount of respect for you. I think at every single hearing I have said that I think you’re doing an excellent job,” “I have 1,000 percent faith in you,” and descriptions of counsel as a “terrific advocate.”

What changed, Reyes wrote, was not sudden bias but the government’s own conduct: a decision to remove over 500 healthy, non-invasive trees, with notice delivered at 4:55 p.m. on the Friday of a holiday weekend that work would begin within 15 hours.

Nearly 430 trees were cut in a single day before a rain delay stopped further work.

Plaintiffs then sought a TRO, which the court granted. Reyes acknowledged she was “furious” and “beyond disappointed” at the October 12 hearing but cited D.C. Circuit precedent that judges in hard-fought, controversial cases may use strong words without automatically requiring disqualification.

She concluded the government had not met the “heavy burden” under 28 U.S.C. § 455(a) and Supreme Court standards in Liteky to show deep-seated favoritism or antagonism making fair judgment impossible.

Reyes also pushed back on claims she had hamstrung legitimate maintenance from the outset, noting that before October 11 the court had not barred any government action at East Potomac, including tree removal.

She framed her earlier restraint as consistent with separation-of-powers principles, quoting her own prior statements that federal courts should not tell the Executive what to do absent an obvious violation of law.

The government, she said, created the emergency that necessitated the holiday-weekend hearing by insisting tree felling would resume Monday weather permitting.

The opinion denies the motion and keeps the case before Reyes. The underlying dispute centers on the Trump administration’s plans, announced after the president toured the site with Interior Secretary Doug Burgum and golf architect Tom Fazio, to transform the aging public course into a championship-level facility open to the public and capable of hosting major events.

Activist plaintiffs have sought to block the work through claims under environmental and historic-preservation statutes.

https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2026/10/biden-appointed-judge-refuses-recuse-herself-trump-golf/

President Donald Trump to shutter East Potomac Golf Course for renovations

Associated Press Oct 18, 2026, 12:26 PM ET1/2

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. –President Donald Trump on Sunday announced plans to close a historic public golf course in the nation's capital for 15 months and redevelop it despite a court challenge to his long-sought renovation.

Trump posted on social media about his intent to shutter the East Potomac Golf Course, not far from the White House, starting Nov. 15 to make it "one of the Best and Most Spectacular Golf Courses anywhere in the World."

A judge last week, however, ordered a halt to his redevelopment plans until at least Oct. 26 after scolding the government for starting a large-scale tree removal at the course over a holiday weekend while providing little notice to the court or the plaintiffs trying to stop the makeover.

Trump did not acknowledge the legal fight in his post, which included an artist's rendering for the course redesign.

"When completed, it will be open to the public while, at the same time, designed to the Highest Level of Golf and able to hold World Class Tournaments such as the U.S. Open, the PGA Championship, the Ryder Cup, and the Presidents Cup," Trump wrote.

Democracy Forward, which is representing the plaintiffs challenging his renovation plans, responded by saying that the course is part of a national park and recreation facility that is meant for everyone to enjoy.

"Our litigation is intended to protect this community jewel for the people and communities it serves and we will continue to work with our plaintiffs to defend it from unlawful and harmful intrusion," Skye Perryman, the president and CEO of the group, said in a statement.

Federal judge orders work halted on historic D.C. golf course

The judge in the case took notice of Trump's online message and ordered the government to notify her by 8 p.m. EDT Sunday whether its position had changed from a court filing Friday that said "at most" Trump has given "preliminary thought" to the rebuilding plan and "there is no final agency action."

Trump, a golf aficionado who plays often, had already announced plans to makeover the links as part of his broader push to renovate and refurbish places around Washington, including the White House and the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Many of his projects, including plans for a huge ballroom at the White House, the installation of his own name on the Kennedy Center and construction of a massive arch, have been challenged in courts.

The 106-year-old park and course has been the subject of many emergency hearings as the president has sought to renovate it. While it has been open to Washingtonians of all income levels, opponents of Trump's plans to turn it into a high-end course have argued it will alter the character of the space and make it less affordable to people.

Trump in his post echoed arguments he has made to justify his plans to remake the Kennedy Center, arguing it is in such dangerous condition that it needs to close.

"The current Course is old, broken, dilapidated, and of no further use or effect. It is in very poor condition, with falling, dangerous, and disease infested trees and, importantly, a collapsing and hazardous seawall," Trump wrote.

https://www.espn.com/golf/story/_/id/50211001/president-trump-close-historic-dc-golf-course-renovations

President Donald Trump to shutter East Potomac Golf Course for renovations

Associated Press Oct 18, 2026, 12:26 PM ET1/2

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. –President Donald Trump on Sunday announced plans to close a historic public golf course in the nation's capital for 15 months and redevelop it despite a court challenge to his long-sought renovation.

Trump posted on social media about his intent to shutter the East Potomac Golf Course, not far from the White House, starting Nov. 15 to make it "one of the Best and Most Spectacular Golf Courses anywhere in the World."

A judge last week, however, ordered a halt to his redevelopment plans until at least Oct. 26 after scolding the government for starting a large-scale tree removal at the course over a holiday weekend while providing little notice to the court or the plaintiffs trying to stop the makeover.

Trump did not acknowledge the legal fight in his post, which included an artist's rendering for the course redesign.

"When completed, it will be open to the public while, at the same time, designed to the Highest Level of Golf and able to hold World Class Tournaments such as the U.S. Open, the PGA Championship, the Ryder Cup, and the Presidents Cup," Trump wrote.

Democracy Forward, which is representing the plaintiffs challenging his renovation plans, responded by saying that the course is part of a national park and recreation facility that is meant for everyone to enjoy.

"Our litigation is intended to protect this community jewel for the people and communities it serves and we will continue to work with our plaintiffs to defend it from unlawful and harmful intrusion," Skye Perryman, the president and CEO of the group, said in a statement.

Federal judge orders work halted on historic D.C. golf course

The judge in the case took notice of Trump's online message and ordered the government to notify her by 8 p.m. EDT Sunday whether its position had changed from a court filing Friday that said "at most" Trump has given "preliminary thought" to the rebuilding plan and "there is no final agency action."

Trump, a golf aficionado who plays often, had already announced plans to makeover the links as part of his broader push to renovate and refurbish places around Washington, including the White House and the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Many of his projects, including plans for a huge ballroom at the White House, the installation of his own name on the Kennedy Center and construction of a massive arch, have been challenged in courts.

The 106-year-old park and course has been the subject of many emergency hearings as the president has sought to renovate it. While it has been open to Washingtonians of all income levels, opponents of Trump's plans to turn it into a high-end course have argued it will alter the character of the space and make it less affordable to people.

Trump in his post echoed arguments he has made to justify his plans to remake the Kennedy Center, arguing it is in such dangerous condition that it needs to close.

"The current Course is old, broken, dilapidated, and of no further use or effect. It is in very poor condition, with falling, dangerous, and disease infested trees and, importantly, a collapsing and hazardous seawall," Trump wrote.

https://www.espn.com/golf/story/_/id/50211001/president-trump-close-historic-dc-golf-course-renovations

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Debris from the demolition of the White House East Wing to make way for his ballroom project has also been dumped on the grounds. The National Park Service has said the debris tested positive for lead, chromium and other toxic metals.

Trump also sought to justify the National Park Service's removal of hundreds of trees that the judge paused, writing in his announcement that when the golf course was originally built, "it was famous for no trees, with views of Washington, D.C., for all to see, but now, it is completely overgrown, dysfunctional, and unsafe."

Trump's post outlining a clear plan for construction complicates a federal court hearing scheduled for Monday in a lawsuit filed by the DC Preservation League and two golfers opposing the construction.

U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes has ordered key members of the Republican administration to testify on the recent tree-cutting and whether those actions are tied to the president's plans for the historical public links.

The administration on Friday asked for Reyes to be replaced on the case, questioning her impartiality and citing what it called "egregious" behavior from the bench in response to an emergency hearing Oct. 12. Her frustration boiled over in a three-hour hearing when she lambasted the government's attorney for the lack of notification she and the plaintiffs received before the trees were chopped down.

At the upcoming hearing, the judge is expected to address the request that she step aside. Meanwhile, over the weekend the plaintiffs asked that she grant them a more long-standing preliminary injunction in the case and/or a stay.

https://www.espn.com/golf/story/_/id/50211001/president-trump-close-historic-dc-golf-course-renovations

Trump says construction at historic Washiongton, D.C. golf course will start next month

By Emily Mae Czachor October 18, 2026 / 12:59 PM EDT / CBS News

President Trump said Sunday that construction on a historic Washington, D.C., golf course will begin next month,despite an ongoing court challenge to his long-sought renovation of the East Potomac Golf Links course.

"I am pleased to announce that the Department of the Interior, under the auspices of Secretary Doug Burgum, and in conjunction with famed Golf Course Architect, Tom Fazio, has developed a plan to build a World Class Championship Golf Course on the site of the current East Potomac Golf Links, located in Washington, D.C.," Mr. Trump wrote in a Truth Social post.

The president, who did not acknowledge the court challenge in his post, said that while the new golf course would remain open to the public, it would also be designed to host tournaments like the U.S. Open, the PGA Championship, the Ryder Cup and the Presidents Cup. He also billed it as a "tremendously positive" economic opportunity for D.C. that would "create many jobs."

Mr. Trump described the current course as an "old, broken, dilapidated, and of no further use or effect … with falling, dangerous, and disease infested trees, and, importantly, a collapsing and hazardous seawall." He said the site "was famous for no trees" originally but has since become "overgrown, dysfunctional, and unsafe."

Mr. Trump said construction will begin Nov. 15 on the course, which will be closed for about 15 months until the new one opens.

His announcement Sunday came less than a week after a federal judge barred the Trump administration from removing trees at the current golf course through Oct. 16, after hundreds of trees were cut down the weekend prior.

U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes said in the order that until that date, the administration may not make "any irreparable modification" to the East Potomac course without first providing three business days' notice of such plans to the court, as well as to the plaintiffs in a lawsuit seeking to stop Mr. Trump's planned overhaul of the site.

"The administration has time and again tried to avoid the law in their mad rush toward converting a public recreation space to a high-end golf course and today's order will stop them from doing further irreparable harm to a precious public resource," said attorneys for the plaintiffs, the D.C. Preservation League and two local golfers, in response to the judge's order. "We are pleased that the court intervened and will prevent additional work while we seek more lasting relief."

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-says-dc-golf-course-construction-start-next-month/

Bessent warns Zelenskyy to ‘be very careful’ about claims U.S. is throttling Starlink

Published Sun, Oct 18 202610:37 AM EDTUpdated Sun, Oct 18 20263:37 PM

Garrett Downs @in/garrettmdowns/1/2

Key Points

• The U.S. Treasury Secretary warned Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to “be very careful” in public statements about U.S. support for Ukraine.

• SpaceX’s military-tier internet service, provided by the U.S., was recently restricted in Ukraine, hindering the country’s ability to use drones in defense against Russian assaults.

• Zelenskyy said earlier Sunday that he believed the U.S. was responsible for the slowdown.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warned Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Sunday to “be careful” in public statements about U.S. support for Ukraine.

U.S.-provided Starlink internet was recently restricted in Ukraine, hindering the war-torn country’s ability to respond to Russian assaults. Ukraine uses Starshield, the military and government-controlled version of the commercial Starlink, to conduct military operations.

In an earlier interview on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” Zelenskyy said he believed the U.S. government was responsible for the slowdown, and that Ukraine was “blocked” from U.S. intelligence for a period of time. Zelenskyy said Starshield-linked vehicles and drones are still being restricted in speed.

Bessent cautioned Zelenskyy about making those claims.

“President [Donald] Trump and Secretary [Marco] Rubio have categorically said that no one under the Trump administration did that, and I think it is very reckless for President Zelenskyy to make such a charge,” Bessent said on “Meet the Press.”

“President Zelenskyy should be very careful about making statements like this that aren’t true,”he added.

Starlink, high-speed satellite internet provided by Elon Musk’s SpaceX , is critical to Ukraine’s defense. Musk himself said in a post on X last week that the U.S. government and President Donald Trump are “ultimately” responsible for any slowdowns to the military version of Starlink known as Starshield.

“Starshield systems are owned and controlled by the US government,” Musk wrote. “Any limits on speed or usage are decided by the US military and ultimately POTUS.”

SpaceX did not respond to a request for comment from CNBC.

Reuters reported last week that the White House ordered the technology restrictions, but Trump has denied responsibility for the slowdown.

“Well, I don’t know if it was anybody because it wasn’t me, and I don’t think it was Elon,” the president said last week. “And from what I understand, it’s the same as it’s always been.”

The U.S. relationship with Ukraine has been highly scrutinized throughout Trump’s second term, as he has frequently antagonized the war-torn country while pushing for a peace deal.

https://www.cnbc.com/2026/10/18/bessent-zelenskyy-starlink-ukarine-war.html

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Trump has recently expressed frustration over Ukrainian strikes on Russian oil refineries as he faces pressure from voters over sky-high gasoline and diesel prices ahead of the U.S. midterm elections. The president has even personally blamed Zelenskyy for the rise in energy prices: “He wants to make problems for the world. He wants to make problems for our farmers, our ranchers, with diesel fuel,” Trump said.

Soaring energy prices are largely due to the U.S. war with Iran, which severely disrupted the Strait of Hormuz and choked oil shipments from the Persian Gulf. The national average for a gallon of gas in the U.S. was nearly $4.30 on Sunday, according to AAA. Diesel was roughly $6.32 per gallon, about 20 cents off September’s record high.

Trump has tried to offset the energy pinch by importing Russian diesel. In a post on Truth Social earlier in the month, he said: “Diesel Prices for Americans and, indeed, the World, will be COMING DOWN, IN RECORD NUMBERS, AND FAST!”

Many U.S. lawmakers, including Republicans, have condemned the president’s plan to buy Russian diesel. Congress recently sent Trump an overwhelmingly bipartisan sanctions package aimed at crippling Russia’s energy industry. Trump signed the bill into law, but waived portions of it over the weekend, citing the national interest in an explanation to Congress.

“Beyond irresponsible. What part of enforcing a law passed 86-11 by the Senate does the President and his advisors not understand?” Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., said in a post on X. “It’s unconscionable that this administration is capitulating to a Russian dictator who illegally invaded Ukraine and butchers innocent civilians every single day.”

https://www.cnbc.com/2026/10/18/bessent-zelenskyy-starlink-ukarine-war.html

Zelensky says he wants to run for president again

The Ukrainian leader, whose term expired two years ago, wants to run again despite promising that he would only serve one term

Published 19 Oct, 2026 13:48

Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky has said he wants torun for president again if an election is held before the conflict with Russia ends. His five-year term expired two years ago, prompting Moscow to question his legitimacy, while US President Donald Trump has called for him to be replaced.

Zelensky has refused to call a new election since his term expired in May 2024, citing martial law, which was imposed after the conflict with Russia escalated in February 2022. During his 2019 election campaign, he promised to only serve one term.

Speaking to NBC News’ ‘Meet the Press’ on Sunday, Zelensky said he would seek another term if an election is held while the fighting continues.

“If it will be during the war – of course. It’s my responsibility, because I have to defend my country from the very beginning to end of this war,” he stated.

Zelensky once again demanded a ceasefire of at least 60 days to prepare for the election, claiming that the country needs time to amend its laws and put election infrastructure in place.

Moscow has rejected the demand. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has said Kiev could use an election as a pretext to secure a 60-day ceasefire to “regroup,” recover its military losses, and resume the fighting. He added, however, that Russia is prepared to suspend strikes on election day.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has argued that Zelensky’s presidential powers should have passed to the parliament after his mandate expired, and questioned whether he can sign binding peace agreements. He called Zelensky’s refusal to hold elections a “strategic mistake.”

Zelensky’s ambitions also face opposition at home. A survey in September by the Kiev International Institute of Sociology found that 53% of respondents believe he should only serve one presidential term, up from 46% in December 2025.

Trump has stepped up pressure on Zelensky, accusing him of prolonging the conflict while receiving billions in Western assistance. Earlier this month, he called for a new president, arguing that Zelensky has repeatedly rejected opportunities to end the fighting.

“I suggest they get a new leader who can make a deal,” Trump told reporters.

He also blamed Ukrainian strikes on Russian oil refineries for the worsening global diesel crisis and rising prices which hurt American farmers, accusing Zelensky of creating “problems for the world” despite his repeated demands to stop the attacks.

In a Truth Social post on Sunday, Trump said Zelensky “doesn’t want to end this war, and probably never did,” arguing that he could have secured a better deal with Russia two years ago. He added that Ukraine is “in shambles,” describing its male population as “low, wounded, and/or dead.”

https://rt-english.com/russia/647384-zelensky-presidency-second-term/

Zelensky says he wants to run for president again

The Ukrainian leader, whose term expired two years ago, wants to run again despite promising that he would only serve one term

Published 19 Oct, 2026 13:48

Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky has said he wants torun for president again if an election is held before the conflict with Russia ends. His five-year term expired two years ago, prompting Moscow to question his legitimacy, while US President Donald Trump has called for him to be replaced.

Zelensky has refused to call a new election since his term expired in May 2024, citing martial law, which was imposed after the conflict with Russia escalated in February 2022. During his 2019 election campaign, he promised to only serve one term.

Speaking to NBC News’ ‘Meet the Press’ on Sunday, Zelensky said he would seek another term if an election is held while the fighting continues.

“If it will be during the war – of course. It’s my responsibility, because I have to defend my country from the very beginning to end of this war,” he stated.

Zelensky once again demanded a ceasefire of at least 60 days to prepare for the election, claiming that the country needs time to amend its laws and put election infrastructure in place.

Moscow has rejected the demand. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has said Kiev could use an election as a pretext to secure a 60-day ceasefire to “regroup,” recover its military losses, and resume the fighting. He added, however, that Russia is prepared to suspend strikes on election day.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has argued that Zelensky’s presidential powers should have passed to the parliament after his mandate expired, and questioned whether he can sign binding peace agreements. He called Zelensky’s refusal to hold elections a “strategic mistake.”

Zelensky’s ambitions also face opposition at home. A survey in September by the Kiev International Institute of Sociology found that 53% of respondents believe he should only serve one presidential term, up from 46% in December 2025.

Trump has stepped up pressure on Zelensky, accusing him of prolonging the conflict while receiving billions in Western assistance. Earlier this month, he called for a new president, arguing that Zelensky has repeatedly rejected opportunities to end the fighting.

“I suggest they get a new leader who can make a deal,” Trump told reporters.

He also blamed Ukrainian strikes on Russian oil refineries for the worsening global diesel crisis and rising prices which hurt American farmers, accusing Zelensky of creating “problems for the world” despite his repeated demands to stop the attacks.

In a Truth Social post on Sunday, Trump said Zelensky “doesn’t want to end this war, and probably never did,” arguing that he could have secured a better deal with Russia two years ago. He added that Ukraine is “in shambles,” describing its male population as “low, wounded, and/or dead.”

https://rt-english.com/russia/647384-zelensky-presidency-second-term/

‘Great progress’ in Ukraine peace talks – Trump

The US president has defended holding back sanctions on Russia to preserve negotiations, while Moscow says it values Washington’s mediation efforts

Published 19 Oct, 2026 11:51 |

Negotiations to end the Ukraine conflict are making “great progress,” US President Donald Trump has said, defending his decision to hold back economic pressure on Russia to keep diplomacy moving.

In a Truth Social post on Sunday, Trump said his priority is securing a settlement rather than taking steps that could undermine ongoing negotiations.

“I am in the process of negotiating peace in the war between Russia and Ukraine, and don’t want to do anything that will drive, foolishly, Russia away from the bargaining table,” he wrote.

“Great progress is being made, and that includes current hostage negotiations!” Trump added, without specifying who he meant. His administration has previously negotiated the release of several Americans jailed in Russia and has also helped mediate several prisoner-of-war exchanges between Moscow and Kiev, including a May agreement providing for the return of 1,000 prisoners on each side.

The president’s remarks followed his waiver of sweeping penalties pushed by the late US lawmaker Lindsey Graham, dubbed the “sanctions from hell,” including tariffs targeting Russia and major purchasers of its energy.

Washington also eased restrictions on Russian diesel exports earlier this month to alleviate rising global fuel prices.

Trump noted that he retains the option to enact the sanctions later, but argued that Russia is “doing very little, if anything, to help the Islamic Republic of Iran, compared to what they could be doing, and I want to keep it that way, and will, unless stupid people get in the way.”

He also accused Ukraine’s Vladimir Zelensky of resisting a settlement despite extensive Western funding, while criticizing Kiev’s continued attacks on Russian refineries for disrupting global diesel markets.

Moscow welcomed Washington’s continued diplomatic engagement on Monday. “The American side continues its mediation and peacemaking efforts, which we highly appreciate,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.

However, a final settlement is impossible without participation by someone representing Kiev who is prepared to take responsibility, he added.

Kirill Dmitriev, Russian President Vladimir Putin’s investment envoy and a participant in negotiations, also applauded Trump’s message for exposing Zelensky’s “true hidden motivation” and pointing out that the Ukrainian leader “doesn’t want to end this war, and probably never did.”

At Friday’s EU summit in Brussels, Zelensky sought another €70 billion ($78.5 billion) in foreign financing for next year, in addition to the €90 billion already being paid out by the bloc to bankroll Kiev’s war effort.

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico rejected participation in further financing, while Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis ruled out guarantees from Prague.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, however, said the European Commission would nevertheless examine further funding options.

https://rt-english.com/news/647387-trump-great-progress-ukraine-talks/

Musk’s tech used in strike that killed Russian students – investigators

Two Ukrainian drones that struck a college dormitory in Starobelsk were equipped with Starlink terminals

Published 19 Oct, 2026 10:02 |

Two of at least seven Ukrainian drones used in a strike on a Russian college which killed 21 people earlier this yearwere equipped with Starlink terminals, investigators have established.

The nighttime attack on a college dormitory in Starobelsk in the Lugansk People’s Republic took place in May and was classified as a deliberate terrorist attack by Russia’s Investigative Committee. Its chairman, Aleksandr Bastrykin, discussed findings from the investigation in an interview with RIA Novosti published on Monday.

“The Ukrainian armed forces usedat least seven drones identified as Fire Point 1, Fire Point 2, Sichen and RZ-100, two of which were controlled via the Starlink satellite communication system,” he said.

The strike also injured scores of civilians and caused an estimated $14.5 million in damage, according to Bastrykin. Investigators identified Robert Brodi, commander of Ukraine’s drone forces, Oleg Ivashchenko, head of Ukrainian military intelligence, and Andrey Klimenko, commander of the 414th drone brigade, as the main suspects, he added.

Kiev’s use of Starlink in territory that Washington recognizes as part of Ukraine became a source of friction with the US this month afterUkrainian officials claimed new restrictions had been imposed on faster-moving platforms. If true, the limitations would disrupt so-called “middle-strike” operations against targets behind the front line but within Starlink’s permitted coverage area, including Starobelsk.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has denied imposing such restrictions, accusing Vladimir Zelensky of making false claims andsuggesting the Ukrainian leader does not know “what he’s talking about.” Starlink owner Elon Musk has also rejected the Ukrainian allegations.

Rubio further stated that Ukraine has no access to Starshield, Starlink’s military-grade sister service.

Bloomberg reported that Kiev had obtained access to Starshield years earlier, with a contract signed in 2024 to expand connectivity through regular Starlink terminals. Recent Reuters reporting suggests Starshield access remained active as of last week, albeit with new restrictions affecting its use in Ukrainian drone operations.

https://rt-english.com/russia/647381-bastrykin-starobelsk-strike-starlink/

Trump eyes reopening Europe to Russian gas – NYT

US negotiators have reportedly proposed restarting pipeline supplies via Ukraine as part of a peace deal with Moscow

Published 18 Oct, 2026 11:32

The US plan for securing peace in Ukraine calls for Europe to increase its purchase of Russian gas, while Ukraine would consider reopening pipelines that once carried it to the EU, The New York Times reported on Saturday, citing people familiar with the talks.

The proposal is the latest in a series of steps by US President Donald Trump to broker peace between Moscow and Kiev. It follows an agreement to ease restrictions on Russian diesel exports and the waiving of sanctions and tariffs mandated by the late American Senator Lindsey Graham.

Washington has reportedly pitched restoring Russian gas exports to Europe as part of a longer-term plan to offer Moscow economic incentives under a broader settlement. The proposed deal would also address relations between Russia and NATO, security guarantees for Ukraine and territorial issues, the sources told the newspaper.

US presidential envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner reportedly raised the idea of restoring Russian gas flows to Europe via Ukraine in talks with European and Ukrainian officials, including Vladimir Zelensky during a visit to Kiev in September.

Russian gas exports through neighboring Ukraine were only halted in January 2025, after authorities in Kiev opted not to extend the transit deal with Moscow.

Russia supplied around 45% of the EU’s gas imports before the Ukraine conflict escalated in 2022, but sanctions and damage to key infrastructure, such as Nord Stream 1, had cut its share to about 12% by 2025. The bloc nevertheless bought 36 billion cubic meters (bcm) of Russian gas last year, including pipeline supplies and liquefied natural gas (LNG). The latest estimates put the value of EU purchases of Russian LNG at €7.2 billion, nearly €1 billion more than in 2024.

Since the halt of gas transit through Ukraine, TurkStream has been the only remaining route for Russian pipeline gas to the bloc.

Brussels began phasing out gas imports from Russia under some short-term pipeline contracts in June 2026 and plans to ban Russian LNG imports from January 2027 and pipeline gas imports by September, with a complete phaseout targeted by the end of that year.

Meanwhile, Russia has shifted more energy exports to Asia, with deliveries of Russian natural gas to China reaching 38.8 bcm in 2025, up 24.8% from a year earlier. Russian President Vladimir Putin has said Moscow is ready to supply fuel to EU countries but needs a signal from Brussels. He said Russia would assess the feasibility and commercial viability of such exports rather than wait for Europe to “slam the door” on energy ties.

https://rt-english.com/russia/647360-trump-reopening-europe-russian-gas/

Waymo has ordered thousands of Chinese-made cars to expand its US robotaxi fleet — sparking security concerns on Capitol Hill

By Thomas Barrabi Published Oct. 19, 2026, 6:30 a.m. ET1/2

Waymo has ordered thousands of Chinese-built electric vehicles to rapidly expand its nationwide robotaxi fleet – an aggressive gambit that’s stoking concerns about national security and fair competition among US lawmakers, The Post has learned.

The Alphabet-owned company’s powder-blue “Ojai” vans – now on the streets of Los Angeles, San Francisco and Phoenix and aimed for Denver, Las Vegas and San Diego this fall – are a rebranded version of a vehicle made by Zeekr, a unit of the Chinese Communist Party-linked Geely Holding Group.

Waymo is on pace to import about 5,100 Ojai vehicles by the end of this year – more than doubling its current fleet, which mostly consists of Jaguar I-Pace SUVs, according to tracking data from research firm MoffettNathanson. The Jaguars are imported from a plant in Austria and outfitted with Waymo’s self-driving tech in Arizona.

The deluge is coming despite the fact that the Commerce Department has banned the import or sale of any “connected vehicles” or self-driving software made in China or Russia starting in model year 2027. Legislation to formalize a ban is currently under consideration in both chambers of Congress.

Waymo says it complies with federal rules by only sourcing physical vehicles from Zeekr and then adding its own sensors and self-driving software at a plant in Arizona. However, critics say the tie-up remains a glaring economic and national security risk.

Missy Cummings, a former senior safety advisor at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration whom Elon Musk once accused of being “extremely biased against Tesla,” told The Post that Waymo’s “carefully curated” attempt to explain away the Zeekr deal is insufficient.

She also raised doubts about Waymo’s assurances that the Zeekr chassis are totally free of Chinese tech.

“I would have to get in and look at the physical construct of the car to know that that’s absolutely true,” said Cummings, director of George Mason University’s Autonomy and Robotics Center. “It’s very possible that the Chinese have layered in other sensors that are recording data and sending it back to China.”

Zeekr, Geely’s luxury vehicle brand, doubled its global sales to 251,000 vehicles as of August. While the bulk of those sales were in China, Zeekr has recently eyed expansion into new markets like Europe and Latin America.

Waymo’s Zeekr deal poses a dilemma for DC policymakers, well-placed sources told The Post. US auto executives have warned that cheap Chinese cars pose a major threat to Elon Musk’s Tesla and Detroit’s Big 3 carmakers. But lawmakers also want to avoid hamstringing Waymo, a frontrunner in the global self-driving car race.

A Waymo spokesperson pushed back on Cummings’ claims, noting that all of its vehicles undergo rigorous, cutting-edge security testing to protect the company’s trade secrets.

Waymo does not share any data it collects on US-based consumers with Zeekr or any other base vehicle manufacturer, the spokesperson added. In addition, Waymo does not license its software to Zeekr, share its source code, or allow any transfer of its algorithms or AI models.

Waymo’s Ojais are among the few Chinese-made vehicles on the road in the US, where government rules and tariffs of 127.5% have essentially shut China out. Polestar, an electric maker that’s majority-owned by Zeekr parent Geely, was barred in June from selling new cars in the US, though existing vehicles can still operate.

Even with the tariffs, TechTimes estimated it costs Waymo between $98,000 to $115,000 to combine a Zeekr-made vehicle chassis with its sensors – compared to an estimated $200,000 for Waymo’s Jaguar I-Pace robotaxis.

The Waymo spokesperson said the firm’s decision to source vehicles from Zeekr dates back to 2019. At the time, US manufacturers were reluctant to work with Waymo due to competing self-driving car projects, leaving with company with little choice but to source vehicles from China to keep its expansion on track, the spokesperson said.

The Commerce Department’s rules ban the import or sale of any “connected vehicles” or self-driving software made in China or Russia beginning in model year 2027. A similar ban on connected vehicle hardware, such as telematics control units and Bluetooth, cell, satellite and Wi-Fi modules, takes effect for model year 2030.

https://nypost.com/2026/10/19/business/waymo-has-ordered-thousands-of-chinese-made-cars-to-expand-its-us-robotaxi-fleet/

>>25157102

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DC insiders who spoke to The Post pointed to recent examples where gaps in the supply chain have been weaponized to great effect.

In September, Trump officials revealed that a Chinese shipping firm, COSCO, had been using concealed equipment on its ships to spy on military communications – including those of the US, Reuters reported. Elsewhere, Israel turned heads around the world in 2024 when it surreptitiously rigged thousands of pagers used by Hezbollah to explode.

Sen. Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio) and Sen. Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.) are co-sponsoring a bipartisan bill that would close the loophole that enabled Waymo’s Zeekr deal by banning the import of any vehicle manufactured in China – even if a US company adds their own software and sensors after the fact.

In the House, China Select Committee Chair John Moolenaar has introduced companion legislation.

Moolenaar outlined nightmare scenarios that could arise from having more Chinese-made vehicles on US roads during a hearing last December – warning that “hidden malware could disable fleets of cars and trucks or turn them into battering rams on wheels.”

“China cheats on trade and threatens our national security,” Moolenaar said in a statement. “We cannot allow its vehicles into our country, or it will use that opportunity to bankrupt US companies, cause massive job losses, undermine the security of our infrastructure, and hollow out the foundation of our nation’s manufacturing base. The total effect would leave our country more dependent on China for everything we need.”

Both bills provide an off ramp for Waymo in the form of a three-year grace period in which the company can phase out its Chinese-made vehicles. If it becomes law, the bill would require Waymo to come into compliance by 2030.

Waymo said it doesn't share any data or source code with China.

In a statement to The Post, Moreno said allowing the import of “Chinese cars would be a cancer to the American market as these CCP subsidized predators are rapidly dominating global markets as Western governments are too weak to fight back.

“My top priority is protecting our American auto industry and auto workers from unfair foreign predators by sealing off the border permanently and avoiding the peril of globalization – the future of the American auto industry depends on it,” Moreno added.

A Waymo spokesperson said the company “strongly supports the Department of Commerce’s BIS connected vehicle rule and legislative efforts to address the national security concerns about foreign connected vehicle technology.”

https://nypost.com/2026/10/19/business/waymo-has-ordered-thousands-of-chinese-made-cars-to-expand-its-us-robotaxi-fleet/