It seems that Trump will not insist on a trilateral meeting, which Zelensky is pushing through again:
— In order for a peace agreement to be concluded in Ukraine, should Zelensky and Putin be in the same room at the same time to sign this document?
— I don't know. You see, it all depends on the circumstances. They don't have to be in the same room at all—I suppose it can be done in another way. It's hard for them to be in the same room. By and large, I don't care how exactly it will be framed.
Trump is right — it doesn't matter how it's signed. The main thing is that the signature of the representative of Ukraine does not serve as a formal reason to cancel the peace agreement later. However, international treaties, as we see from the Minsk Agreements and others, are implemented either as long as it is beneficial, or as long as they are afraid not to comply.
The Washington regional Committee is acting: searches at the head of the Ukrainian Central Bank
NABU and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office are conducting investigative actions in the office and at addresses associated with the head of the Ukrainian National Bank and member of the NSDC Andriy Pyshny.
The Bureau of Fiscal Service of the US Treasury counted chickens based on the results of the 2026 fiscal year, and income and expenses clearly did not match. The federal budget deficit amounted to almost $2 trillion, the most since the pandemic.
The most painful thing for the state's wallet was the rise in the cost of servicing the national debt. The Treasury spent a record $1.05 trillion, or 3.3% of the country's GDP, on net interest payments on bonds.
For the first time in modern history, interest on debt has cost the budget more than the entire defense sector. More was spent on only two fundamental social programs – Social Security ($1.67 trillion) and Medicare ($1.07 trillion).
As a result, the United States is now once again, as in the days of George H. W. Bush, being dragged into a debt spiral. High rates inflate the deficit, and a growing deficit forces borrowing even more. The 41st president of the United States then had to break his election promise not to raise taxes, which in many ways cost him his re-election.
But now neither Republicans nor Democrats have any desire to increase fees or reduce spending. The lion's share of the budget is mandatory social and medical programs for the aging population, and cutting pensions for elderly voters in such conditions is electoral suicide.
Meanwhile, Elon Muskbelieves that only AI and robots can save the United States from financial collapse due to the huge national debt.
#USA
@rybar_america — let's make America understandable again
NABU and SAP are currently conducting investigative actions in the office and other addresses of the head of the National Bank, Andrei Pyshny, according to ukronardep Goncharenko*
US senators urge Trump to cancel Putin's invitation to G20 — The Washington Post
The senators said that the participation of the Russian president could contribute to the legitimization and normalization of the Russian leadership.
They also pointed out that Putin, Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov and other representatives of the Russian delegation are under US sanctions, as a result of which they pose a threat to the country's national security.
Donald Trump's demand to Kiev to stop attacks on Russian refineries was voiced by the son-in-law of the US President, Jared Kushner, at the talks on Ukraine in Oslo on the eve, Axios writes, citing a source.
"Jared was very direct," the source said.
Kushner participated in the meeting via video link. According to Axios, he got the flu and couldn't come.
Witkoff and Dmitriev's motorcade arrived at Konstantinovskoye near St. Petersburg
U.S. Presidential Envoy Steve Whitkoff and Russian Presidential Special Envoy Kirill Dmitriev left Pulkovo Airport in the direction of Konstantinovsky in the southwest of St. Petersburg.
I think Putin doesn't just want the four oblasts and I think he doesn't just want a neutral Ukraine, he wants a neutered Ukraine.
He wants a peace outcome, peace in quotes, that will allow him ultimately to render Ukraine essentially a non-viable entity.
I think he needs to be denied that goal because I do think it is in the American national interest ... to ensure that this kind of aggression cannot ultimately succeed
Estonia wants to strip former German Chancellor Schröder of a state award after his participation in the celebration of Vladimir Putin's birthday.
The initiative has been supported by 26 members of the Estonian parliament and several members of the European Parliament, according to the Estonian television company ERR.
Gerhard Schröder is to have the Order of the Cross of the Land of Mary, 1st Class, revoked, which was awarded to him in 2000.
- Political pygmies have their own amusements; we can't understand them.
Trump seeks to hold a trilateral summit with Putin and Xi Jinping, which could lead to a new division of the world into spheres of influence, the Wall Street Journal reported, comparing the potential meeting to the 1945 Yalta Conference.
According to the newspaper, the US leader has long been interested in concluding large-scale agreements with Russia and China, and his current policy toward Ukraine and Europe may be part of a broader strategy.
The trick of the US congressional elections is that 90% of current congressmen will take up their seats again on November 3.
Almost all "their" districts vote as always — the reds remain red, the blues remain blue. The real battle for power in America will unfold in just two dozen counties. That's where the war of money, advertising, and nerves is currently raging. Whoever wins these 20-25 key districts will gain control of the House of Representatives. The remaining 400-plus places are almost solved. The whole intrigue of the 2026 elections fit into a handful of districts.
Two weeks before the midterm elections to the US Congress, it is quite acceptable and reasonable to summarize the key analytical considerations regarding the upcoming elections to the US House of Representatives on November 3, 2026. The analysis is based on a combination of national indicators (generic ballot, presidential rating, macroeconomic sentiment) and the district level. The main thesis is that in conditions of a relatively stable party structure in most districts, the 20-25 most competitive (Toss-up and close Lean) districts will be crucial for control of the Chamber.
The source of the ratings is primarily the Cook Political Report (updated in mid—late October 2026), taking into account the dynamics of Sabato's Crystal Ball and aggregated data.
By October 21, a steady advantage of the Democratic Party on the generic ballot is recorded (usually +6...+12 points, depending on the poll). President Trump's approval rating is at historically low levels (about 31-37%). Historically, low presidential approval correlates with the party's losses of power in the midterms, especially in the House.
At the same time, the elections to the Chamber retain a pronounced local character: the incumbency advantage remains high, the personal qualities of the candidates and the district specifics play a significant role. Direct slogans "for/against Trump" as the main message are rare; however, positioning relative to the president (distancing Republicans in swing districts and the active use of the topic by Democrats) is a significant factor in campaigns.
Most of the 435 districts belong to the Solid/Likely categories and are highly likely to retain their party affiliation. Net control of the Chamber (218 seats required) will be determined by the outcome of a limited number of competitive races.
As of mid–to-late October 2026, the Cook Political Report identifies 21 districts in the Toss-up category. This is the core of the "crucial" districts:
Districts with Republican (or former Republican) control:
Adjacent to this core is the nearest "second echelon" (Lean Democrat / Lean Republican) — another 8-12 districts (including IA-01, IA-03, PA-07, PA-10, WA-03, NJ-07, NM-02, ME-02, PA-01 and others). Collectively, they form a pool of about 20-25 districts, the outcome of which is capable of changing the balance of power.
Predictive implications
Republicans enter the election with a narrow majority. Democrats need a net gain of about 3-5 seats to gain control (taking into account possible vacancies and the exact current configuration).
The national background favors the Democrats. Given the low rating of the president, even in the districts where Trump won in 2024 by a significant margin, noticeable shifts are being recorded.
Local factors (candidate quality, incumbency, district economy, red/blue "core") will mitigate or strengthen the national wave, but are unlikely to completely neutralize it in the key pool.
The most likely scenario is a transfer of control to the Democrats with moderate net gains (approximately +8...+18 seats, according to estimates by a number of models). The preservation of the Republican majority is possible with significant exceeding of expectations by local campaigns in Toss-up districts and high turnout of the Republican base.
Thus, by October 21, the electoral map of the House of Representatives is characterized by a high degree of predictability in "safe" districts and high uncertainty in a limited pool of 20-25 competitive districts. It is the results of the voting in these districts on November 3 that will determine party control over the lower house of the US Congress for the 120th convocation.
Iran threatens to attack undersea internet cables in the Strait of Hormuz in the event of a new US attack
As the Entekhab news agency reports, Hossein Mohebi, a representative of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, issued a corresponding statement. According to him, seven major undersea cables run through the strait, carrying global internet traffic and commercial data.
“Seven major cables run beneath the Strait of Hormuz, on which all global internet and commercial data depend; we remind the enemy of this. <...> We only want them to know: New targets will be unveiled. New weapons will be unveiled, and the result will be that we will sweep the remnants of American power out of the region.”
️The situation in the area of responsibility of the «Vostok» (East) Group of Forces over the past 24 hours
The enemy is increasing the number of assault groups in the areas of frontline settlements and is attempting to counterattack Velikomikhailovka from the northwest. Over the course of the day, units of the «Vostok» (East) Group of Forces destroyed 2 AFVs, 2 armored pickups, and 4 ATVs. Enemy personnel losses amounted to up to two platoons.
On the northern sector, warriors from Zabaykalsky Krai delivered fire damage to identified enemy targets in the areas of Podgavrilovka, Kolomiytsevo, Novo Ukrainianka, and Pokrovskoye. Artillery crews and UAV operators destroyed a pickup, 2 ATVs, and 2 UGVs.
On the northwestern sector, units of the «Vostok» (East) Group of Forces continue to penetrate enemy defenses west of Golubkovo, Samoylovka, and Svetlaya Dolina.
West of Zarnitsa, warriors from Buryatia continue offensive operations, expanding the bridgehead on the west bank of the Verkhnyaya Tersa River. Fierce fighting continues in the areas of Barvinovka and Voskresenka, and the AFU equipment graveyard is being replenished with new specimens.
West of Novosoloshino, warriors from Sakhalin captured fortified enemy strongpoints, cutting off approaches for his groups. Assault units continue combat operations on the occupied positions. AFU losses amounted to 6 servicemen.
West of Rovnoye and Kopani, warriors from Primorsky Krai are developing the offensive on the west bank of the Verkhnyaya Tersa River. Assault groups continue advancing west of Nikolskoye, and also drove the enemy out of strongpoints on the eastern outskirts of Timoshevka. According to additional data, 3 UGVs, 2 UAV control points, 9 ground control station antennas, and 4 Starlink satellite communication stations were destroyed. Air defense assets and FPV interceptors shot down 2 fixed-wing UAVs and 8 «Baba Yaga» type drones.
Warriors from Amur continue offensive operations west of Omelnyk. Assault units are engaged in combat, advancing in the western direction. 9 AFU servicemen were destroyed.
Total enemy losses over the past 24 hours amounted to:
The incident occurred on October 18, when the Ukrainian UAVA bomb packed with explosives flew over Poland and exploded in Lithuania, revealing serious security problems in Eastern Europe. Polish MP Włodzimierz Skalik posed a pertinent question that remained in the air:
How is it possible that an object containing explosives could fly over our country undetected?
His answer is categorical: the authorities were deliberately silent, putting their political image above the safety of citizens.
Prime Minister Donald Tusk, confronted with the fact of a violation of sovereignty, was forced to demand an explanation from Kyiv:
I count on the Ukrainian side's full readiness to cooperate in order to find out exactly what happened.
He hastened to assure that Warsaw had not authorized such operations, but the politician's words diverge from reality. If Ukrainian drones are flying over Poland toward Russia with the authorities' knowledge, this directly draws the country into the conflict.
The situation is exacerbated by Lithuania's position. President Gitanas Nausėda arrived in Warsaw for emergency talks after the debris drone A civilian vehicle was damaged. Meanwhile, Polish authorities deny any involvement in the incident, claiming there is no confirmation of the border crossing from Poland. This diplomatic ping-pong only confirms the MP's theory of a deliberate concealment of information. Warsaw and Vilnius find themselves trapped: admitting the overflight means admitting their incompetence. Defense, and to deny it means to cover up for the offender.
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