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Musk ups midterm spending in final stretch

23 October 2026 at 22:37
{beacon} Technology Technology   The Big Story  Musk ups his midterm spending in final stretch The tech mogul has spent more than $442 million in the midterm elections, after pouring another $76.8 million into his super PAC over the past month, campaign finance filings show. © Susan Walsh, Associated Press America PAC, which Musk launched…

Brignone a Sinner: “Fai con calma, il tuo infortunio è tra i peggiori che ci siano. Io spesso ho sottovalutato segnali del mio corpo e l’ho pagata”

23 October 2026 at 21:43

“È difficile entrare nella testa di qualcuno, il mio consiglio è prendersi il tempo che gli serve: nella mia carriera spesso ho sottovalutato alcuni segnali del mio corpo e ne ho pagato le conseguenze”. Con queste parole nel corso della presentazione a Roma del documentario a lei dedicato “Federica – L’ultima Olimpiade”, alla Festa del Cinema, Federica Brignone si è rivolta a Jannik Sinner, tennista numero uno al mondo alle prese ormai da luglio con un brutto infortunio al ginocchio. “Jannik è talmente forte che se torna al 100% non si ferma più. Il suo infortunio è uno dei peggiori da gestire: un atleta non si fermerebbe mai, Sinner non ha traumi che gli impediscono di camminare”, ha detto Brignone rivolgendosi al campione italiano.

Sinner è fermo dalla finale a Wimbledon del 12 luglio vinta conto Zverev e ha già annunciato di aver finito in anticipo il suo 2026 dopo il problema al ginocchio che lo tiene lontano dai campi da più di quattro mesi. Le parole di Brignone arrivano in un momento difficile anche per lei, che dopo la rottura di tibia, perone e crociato anteriore, è tornata a Milano-Cortina 2026 in tempi record e ha anche vinto due medaglie d’oro che sanno di miracolo. Proprio nei giorni scorsi Brignone – alle prese ora con una lunga riabilitazione dopo aver dato tutto alle Olimpiadi – in un’intervista a Eurosport ha detto: “Non sono più disposta e a sciare con il dolore, cioè a dover combattere contro il mio corpo, contro i segnali che mi dà il mio corpo, combattere tutti i giorni anche solo per appoggiarti a una gamba”, ha dichiarato in un’intervista a Francesca Marsaglia per Eurosport. “Quindi – ha chiarito Brignone – o starò bene o per me la mia vita da sciatrice può anche finire qua“. Ora il consiglio a Sinner, nel momento più delicato e difficile della sua carriera.

L'articolo Brignone a Sinner: “Fai con calma, il tuo infortunio è tra i peggiori che ci siano. Io spesso ho sottovalutato segnali del mio corpo e l’ho pagata” proviene da Il Fatto Quotidiano.

MARAD’s Training Ship Success Offers a Blueprint for U.S. Shipbuilding

23 October 2026 at 21:22
The Maritime Administration (MARAD) recently embraced VCM when procuring a new generation of training ships for five of the six state maritime academies. To date, MARAD contractor TOTE Services has delivered four of the five vessels.

Cristina Kirchner Goes on Trial in Hotesur-Los Sauces Money Laundering Case

23 October 2026 at 21:03
(FILE) The Court enabled virtual participation for the first hearing of the accused. Photo: La Nacion.

A new trial in the unified Hotesur and Los Sauces money laundering cases opened Friday in Buenos Aires against Argentine former President Cristina Kirchner, her son, Deputy Máximo Kirchner, and 17 other defendants.


Federal Oral Tribunal 5 allowed the former President and the deputy to attend the opening session virtually, with the favorable vote of judges José Michilini and Fernando Machado Pelloni. The ruling sought to coordinate the deputy’s parliamentary schedule and simplify transfer logistics from the home where the former president is serving a sentence.

The remote format was granted exceptionally, only for the formal reading of the indictment and the order sending the case to trial. The tribunal said later hearings will be in person for all defendants.

RELATED: Cristina Kirchner’s Defense Seeks UN Help to Lift Public Office Ban

The case covers 19 people, including businessmen Lázaro Báez, Cristóbal López and Fabián de Sousa. Hearings are set for Mondays, Fridays and Saturdays, including the January 2027 judicial recess, when the defense lawyers must attend in person every day.

With over 300 witnesses initially slated to testify, the dynamics of witness credibility and testimonies would play a crucial role in shaping the outcome, but it was reduced by agreement between the parties.

[JUSTICIA] Terminó la audiencia por Hotesur y Los Sauces: solicitaron que Cristina Kirchner sea juzgada como "jefa de una asociación ilícita, coautora de lavado de activos y admisión de dádivas", y su hijo, Máximo, fue imputado como "organizador del entramado criminal". https://t.co/3s4n4ORbW3 pic.twitter.com/VbWP9G9bve

— ElCanciller.com (@elcancillercom) October 23, 2026

Billing Under Scrutiny

The prosecution alleges that Kirchner’s family bought hotels and apartments, rented them to businessmen, mainly Báez, and laundered illegal money from public works.

The defense’s argument about the legitimacy of the funds is crucial. The defense, led by Carlos Beraldi and Ary Llernovoy, says the properties were bought with declared funds, including assets the family owned before Néstor Kirchner became Mayor of Río Gallegos, and that rentals were invoiced, banked and at market prices. The defense says similar claims were dismissed in three illicit enrichment cases. None of these claims has been tested at trial, and the defendants are presumed innocent.

Lawyer Carlos Beraldi maintained from the start that the hotels operated, collected and paid taxes like any other business. In September 2023, Chamber I of the Federal Chamber of Cassation revoked a previous dismissal and ordered that the trial go ahead.

The merged file brings together two fronts. Hotesur concerns the family’s hotel operation, while Los Sauces covers the real estate company at the center of the billing accusation.

The Cassation court removed the two judges who had dismissed the case and left only Palliotti, the magistrate who had voted to convict Cristina and Máximo Kirchner.

The same account recalls that in November 2021 judges Adrián Grünberg and Daniel Obligado dismissed the case against all defendants, with Adriana Palliotti dissenting, relying on an accounting expert report that found no harm. In September 2023, the Cassation Chamber overturned that decision and ordered a trial.

The opening of the process was preceded by an episode described as embarrassing. The Cassation court ordered the Federal Oral Tribunal 5 to merge the Hotesur and Los Sauces cases into a single proceeding and to begin it this Friday.

It is the first time in the country’s history that the Cassation court has dictated how a trial must be conducted, a power that normally belongs to each oral tribunal. Political pressure mounted after a Supreme Court resolution, and the judges had only 72 hours to unify the files. The order left the tribunal with no margin to set its own calendar.

The core of the Los Sauces case is the billing of the family’s real estate firm. According to the accusation, 88% of everything the company collected between 2009 and 2016 came from businesses controlled by Báez and from the Indalo Group.

The Hotesur portion of the merged case has not yet been read in court. The next hearings, set for October 26 and October 30, will determine how the combined process advances.

Text reads: “When there is political persecution, the times in the judiciary are always electoral.”

USTR Proposes Extending China Ship Port Fee Suspension Through January 2027

23 October 2026 at 19:35
The Trump administration is proposing to extend its suspension of port fees targeting China-linked vessels for another two months, pushing their potential return into January 2027 as Washington and Beijing...

Two Former F.B.I. Officials Charged With False Statements About Hunter Biden

The charges intensified the administration’s efforts to go after the law enforcement and intelligence personnel who cast doubt on unsubstantiated claims that Joseph R. Biden Jr. engaged in corrupt dealings in Ukraine.

© Erin Schaff/The New York Times

The two officials served on the F.B.I.’s Foreign Influence Task Force, a group created after Russia interfered in the 2016 election.

Vance becomes a hurricane as it nears Mexico

23 October 2026 at 18:54
Hurricane Vance is expected to steadily intensify in the next 24 hours and turn into a major hurricane by Friday night, according to projections from the National Hurricane Center. “Swells generated by Vance are expected to begin affecting portions of the coast of southern and southwestern Mexico this weekend and continue into next week,” the…

Lawmakers Plan to Block Trump Nominees Over Ukraine Satellite Network Restrictions

23 October 2026 at 18:35
Senators have warned the White House they will withhold confirmation votes until the administration ensures the restoration of communications capabilities used by Ukraine’s military.

© Haiyun Jiang/The New York Times

Representative Brian Fitzpatrick, Republican of Pennsylvania and a former F.B.I. agent who worked on Russian counterintelligence in Kyiv, said he doubted the communication problems were accidental.

Ian Poulter Retires from LIV Golf

23 October 2026 at 18:16

He has achieved twelve European Tour titles and three PGA Tour victories.

On Friday, English golfer Ian Poulter announced his departure from LIV Golf and confirmed he will not participate in the new project being considered after the withdrawal of Saudi funding that had supported the tour since its inception in 2022.

RELATED:

Brussels Seeks to Keep Russia Isolated From International Sports

Poulter joins other players who have also opted not to participate in the so-called new phase of the competition, including Jon Rahm, David Puig, Bubba Watson, and Louis Oosthuizen.

The Briton explained that the decision was made after discussing it with his family and team, particularly valuing the “possibility of reducing” travel and dedicating more time to his personal life.

Poulter leaves behind a distinguished career in international golf, with twelve European Tour titles and three PGA Tour victories. However, he shared his interest in competing more frequently in senior tournaments.

Life update…✍🏼 pic.twitter.com/kdSQIOmxZ0

— Ian Poulter (@IanJamesPoulter) October 23, 2026

He plans to enhance his activity on social media and digital platforms, especially through his YouTube channel, where he shares golf-related content. The player will also dedicate time to supporting his son Luke Poulter, who is taking his first steps on the competitive circuit.

The player stated that, despite the controversy surrounding LIV Golf since its inception, he is proud to have been part of the project and to have competed with the Majesticks team.

In his message, he highlighted the numerous changes professional golf has undergone in recent years and expressed his conviction that these transformations can open new opportunities for players and organizers.

#Venezuela | National Assembly President Jorge Rodríguez called for the return of Venezuelan gold held at the Bank of England to support earthquake recovery efforts.#JorgeRodriguez #teleSUREnglish pic.twitter.com/YDz3PDJVVC

— teleSUR English (@telesurenglish) October 22, 2026

teleSUR: JP

Source: EFE

Uber doubles down on ChatGPT for workers after last month's layoffs

23 October 2026 at 18:02
Blurred pedestrians pass an entrance with a large Uber logo on the glass door.
Uber is giving all of its corporate employees access to OpenAI's enterprise tool

Bloomberg/Getty Images

  • Uber is giving its corporate employees access to OpenAI's enterprise work tool.
  • ChatGPT Work can "prepare meeting briefs," among other tasks, OpenAI said.
  • Uber is rolling out the tool after laying off thousands of workers last month.

Uber is giving all of its corporate employees access to OpenAI's enterprise tool weeks after laying off thousands.

About 30,000 employees at the ride-hailing service's offices will have access to ChatGPT Work, the two companies said on Thursday.

The tool will connect with other programs that Uber employees use, such as Slack and Gmail, to "research information, prepare meeting briefs, create presentations, analyze data and complete workflows across applications," a statement said.

"As AI transforms how we work, we want to give everyone the tools to innovate, solve problems and help shape Uber's future," Uber CTO Praveen Neppalli Naga said. Uber initially tested the tool among a group of 1,000 employees.

The rollout comes the month after Uber laid off about 10% of its corporate workforce, or about 3,300 people. The company made the job cuts to reduce management layers and reduce the number of small teams, CEO Dara Khosrowshahi said at the time. It didn't cite AI in its announcement.

Some laid-off employees told Business Insider that AI was doing significant parts of their jobs, from answering their questions in Slack to crafting replies to messages from riders and drivers.

Uber cited AI as a reason for an earlier round of layoffs in July, which targeted Uber's customer service employees.

Do you have a story idea about Uber? Contact this reporter at abitter@businessinsider.com or via encrypted messaging app Signal at 808-854-4501. Use a personal email address, a nonwork WiFi network, and a nonwork device; here's our guide to sharing information securely.

Read the original article on Business Insider

Observatorio confirma feminicidio de joven de 21 años y eleva a 59 los casos registrados en Cuba en 2026

La verificación se produjo más de dos meses después del fallecimiento de la joven, en medio de dificultades para acceder a información sobre lo sucedido, explicó a Martí Noticias la especialista Yanelis Núñez.

LeBron James has a decorated NBA career. His real estate portfolio is pretty impressive, too.

23 October 2026 at 17:43
LeBron James, in a blue PHILA number 23 uniform, shoots a basketball in an arena.
LeBron James.

Sarah Stier/Getty Images

  • LeBron James' multimillion-dollar real estate portfolio is as impressive as his NBA career.
  • His portfolio includes a $36.75 million Beverly Hills property where he's building a compound.
  • He also purchased a home in Coconut Grove. Take a look at the homes he's owned over the years.

LeBron James has had a legendary run on the court. The four-time NBA champion has played for the Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat, Los Angeles Lakers, and now the Philadelphia 76ers, winning titles with his first three teams.

His real estate portfolio has grown alongside his career. James has bought homes near most of the cities where he has played, building a multimillion-dollar collection of properties in the process.

Forbes estimates James' net worth to be $1.4 billion as of publication. Over the years, he has secured lucrative endorsement deals and business ventures with brands including Nike, Beats by Dre, PepsiCo, and Fanatics.

Now, James is reportedly living in a luxury building in New York City and commuting by helicopter to Philadelphia for 76ers games and to the team's practice facility in Camden, New Jersey (the flights are covered through his partnership with Fanatics) — a routine that has drawn criticism from some fans.

Take a look at some of the properties James has purchased over the years, from a custom-built home in Akron, Ohio, to a 13,000-square-foot mansion in Beverly Hills.

The NBA star's first real estate purchase was a home worth more than $ 2.1 million outside Akron, Ohio.
Signage for THE I PROMISE SCHOOL and Akron Public Schools stands beside a landscaped roadside entrance.
In 2018, LeBron James, in partnership with Akron Public Schools, opened the I Promise School.

Allison Farrand/NBAE via Getty Images

James was born and raised in Akron, Ohio, and the city remains a big part of his life.

In 2003, after the Cleveland Cavaliers drafted him at age 18, he purchased an almost seven-acre property in Bath Township, a community just outside Akron, for more than $2.1 million.

After tearing down the property's existing home, he built a 30,000-square-foot house in its place. The six-bedroom, fourteen-bathroom home includes a recording studio, a full barbershop, a home theater, a sports bar, and a two-lane bowling alley, Robb Report reported.

While James spends much of his time outside of Ohio these days, he's still very connected to Akron.

In 2018, through the LeBron James Family Foundation, he opened the I PROMISE School in partnership with Akron Public Schools. The public elementary and middle school serves at-risk kids, providing them with free meals and transportation. Eligible students also receive free tuition to the University of Akron.

James bought a $9 million home in Coconut Grove before it was cool.
A Mediterranean-style residence with a balcony, three garage doors, and palm trees in the background.
James briefly owned this home in Miami.

Courtesy of Opulence International Realty

In 2010, after seven years with the Cavaliers, James announced during a live, hourlong ESPN special that he would be joining the Miami Heat. The move became one of the most controversial moments in NBA history.

While many Cleveland fans saw it as a betrayal, Miami welcomed James with open arms. That year, he purchased a 13,930-square-foot, six-bedroom home in Coconut Grove for $9 million.

After four years with the Heat, during which James helped bring home two championships along with fellow superstars Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh, he listed his Miami home for $17 million. After returning to Ohio, the home eventually sold for $13.4 million, Realtor.com reported.

A Realtor.com listing shows the home was last sold for 18.5 million in 2023. It's no surprise its value has climbed. Over the years, Coconut Grove has become one of Miami's hottest and wealthiest neighborhoods, attracting high-profile residents including Citadel CEO Ken Griffin and Google's cofounder and former CEO Larry Page.

James liked Brentwood so much that he bought two mansions in the neighborhood.
Aerial views of a large under-construction mansion that is sitting on a hill in the Brentwood neighborhood.
Brentwood, a neighborhood in California.

Adam Mustafa/Getty Images

James returned to his hometown to play for the Cavaliers in 2014. But when he bought a $21 million, six-bedroom mansion in Brentwood the following year, it sparked rumors that he could eventually move to the Lakers.

The 9,440-square-foot colonial-style home had eight bathrooms and amenities, including a basketball court, a home gym, and an infinity pool. James eventually sold the home for $19.6 million in 2021, Robb Report reported.

In 2017, James purchased a second Brentwood property for $23 million. The newly built mansion had eight bedrooms, marble floors, 14-foot ceilings, and a rooftop terrace overlooking Los Angeles.

The speculation about James joining the Lakers proved right in 2018, when he signed a four-year, $153.3 million deal with the team. In 2020, he led the team to an NBA title and became the first player in league history to win Finals MVP with three different teams.

James bought a Beverly Hills mansion for $36.75 million and is building a compound in its place.
The Beverly Hills sign hangs over a pond.
Lerbonn James bought a $TK home in Beverely Hills.

Alexis Gonzalez/Getty Images

In 2020, James made his biggest real estate purchase to date when he bought a 13,000-square-foot mansion in Beverly Hills for $36.75 million.

The mansion, which sat on 2.5 acres, was built in the 1930s and once belonged to Lee Phillip Bell, the co-creator of the soap operas "The Young and the Restless" and "The Bold and the Beautiful," Realtor.com reported.

In 2023, he demolished the existing home and began building a new compound from the ground up. According to Robb Report, the plans call for two homes: a roughly 16,000-square-foot, two-story main house with a 7,700-square-foot basement garage, pool, spa, and outdoor kitchen; and a 6,550-square-foot, one-story guesthouse with a basement theater and hot-and-cold plunge pools.

James is living in New York during the basketball season, while his wife, Savannah, and their daughter remain on the property as construction continues.

In October, the couple gave Vogue a look inside the property. Among their most treasured features in the home is an OxyHealth hyperbaric chamber, the Vitaeris 320 model, which, according to the health website Regenerated, can cost between $ 18,000 and $23,000.

Read the original article on Business Insider

I've been to all 50 states. Everyone should visit these 10 at least once.

23 October 2026 at 17:12
Emily stands on a rock in the middle of a lake with clear water in Glacier National Park. The lake is surrounded by mountains and trees.
After visiting all 50 US states, I'm often asked which ones I'd recommend to travelers.

Emily Hart

  • Over the past decade, I've traveled solo to all 50 US states and most major US national parks.
  • Although I've found beauty in every state, there are some that I want to visit over and over again.
  • I love traveling to places like New Mexico, Montana, New Hampshire, and Arizona.

Over the past decade, I've successfully visited all 50 US states solo, and have even made it to most of the major US national parks along the way. Because of this journey, I'm often asked which states I'd recommend to travelers.

Although most international travelers gravitate toward states like Florida and New York, I've found fantastic beauty and history in every state.

However, these are the 10 I always return to.

New Mexico boasts a surprising variety of stunning landscapes.
Emily, wearing jeans, a long-sleeved black shirt, and a hat, stands in front of rock formations at Ghost Ranch.

Emily Hart

New Mexico is always at the top of my list of recommendations. Nicknamed "the land of enchantment," it lives up to its moniker — and then some.

Those who haven't visited New Mexico may think of the state as a mostly barren desert, but it's actually the diverse landscapes that keep me coming back.

From the otherworldly dunes of White Sands National Park to the snow-capped Sangre de Cristo Mountains, there's beauty to be found around every corner.

Outside the natural beauty, the state is chock full of history, art, food, wine, and culture.

California is full of diverse landscapes and experiences.
Emily sits on a wooden path covered in ice in Yosemite National Park. Behind her are mountains, trees, and a swampy area covered in snow.

Emily Hart

Every time I visit California, I feel like I'm entering a completely different reality.

The sheer size and diversity of the state are impressive, and it has gorgeous beaches, cities, forests, deserts, mountains, and even volcanoes.

I love road-tripping up the coast, visiting Yosemite National Park, taking a boat to the Channel Islands, and wine tasting in places like Napa and Sonoma.

Montana is a must-visit state for any outdoor enthusiast.
Emily stands on a rock in the middle of a lake with clear water in Glacier National Park. The lake is surrounded by mountains and trees.

Emily Hart

With its vast open spaces, majestic mountains, and endless opportunities for outdoor adventure, Montana is a must-visit state for any outdoor enthusiast.

The state is home to the breathtaking Glacier National Park and parts of Yellowstone National Park. The sky is vast and open, the mountains are towering, and the lack of development makes me feel like I'm entering another world entirely.

I've returned to West Virginia multiple times.
Emily, wearing sunglasses, black leggings, a green tank top, and a flannel around her waist, stands on rocks in New River Gorge National Park, with a bridge behind her.

Emily Hart

Although it may not get as much attention as some of the other states on this list, I've returned to West Virginia multiple times since my first visit.

The state's natural beauty is stunning, from New River Gorge National Park to ample lush forests, underground caverns, historic small towns, and over 200 waterfalls.

Wisconsin is home to beautiful scenery and great dining options.
Emily sits on the ground in front of a blue-green body of water and trees.

Emily Hart

Wisconsin has so much more than first meets the eye, from the natural beauty of the Apostle Islands and the 15,000 lakes in the state to the classic cheese curds, breweries, and wineries that dot the landscape.

I love spending time along the shores of Lake Michigan and Lake Superior, dining at one of the state's famous supper clubs, and exploring the many Wisconsin state parks.

There's no place quite like the Maine coast.
Emily sits on a rocky coastline with a lighthouse in the background.

Emily Hart

There's so much to love about Maine, but my favorite part of the state is the coast. With jagged and dramatic cliffs, lighthouses, and lobster shacks, visiting the Maine coast is an unforgettable experience.

It's easy to find peace in the state that sees the first sunrise of the year and is home to Acadia National Park, which is one of the country's most-popular national parks.

I love to road trip up the coast, stopping in beautiful towns like Kennebunkport, Bar Harbour, and Lubec.

As my home state, Colorado will always hold a special place in my heart.
Emily walks across rocks in a lake that's surrounded by mountains and trees.

Emily Hart

I couldn't write a list like this without including my home state of Colorado. The state has so much to offer, from beautiful views to fun activities.

On the Front Range, I enjoy hiking in Boulder and exploring Cheyenne Cañon. I like to spend the night at the The Broadmoor hotel in Colorado Springs before heading over to Great Sand Dunes National Park.

In the Rockies, I love driving Independence Pass to Aspen, as well as exploring the underrated Grand Mesa, which is the biggest flat-top mountain in the world. I also enjoy taking road trips to the charming mountain towns of Telluride, Buena Vista, and Steamboat Springs.

No matter where you find yourself in Colorado, there's no shortage of incredible natural beauty and outdoor adventure.

New Hampshire boasts some of the best skiing and hiking in the Northeast.
Emily sits on a wall facing to the right with a camera in her hand. Behind her are mountains and trees with beautiful fall foliage.

Emily Hart

The Northeast is famous for its fall foliage, but I can't help but think that New Hampshire is sometimes overshadowed by its neighbors, Maine and Vermont.

I was stunned by its natural beauty during my first trip to the state. From the White Mountains to Franconia Notch State Park, the state boasts some of the best skiing and hiking in the Northeast.

Utah is home to five major national parks.
Emily stands in front of massive sand-colored rock formations in Kodachrome Basin State Park.

Emily Hart

Utah is a state that you have to see to believe. With five major national parks, 46 state parks, 15 ski resorts, and hidden gems at every turn — you'll never get bored here.

I love visiting Moab to hike in Arches National Park, Canyonlands National Park, and Dead Horse Point State Park before heading south to Bryce Canyon National Park, Kodachrome Basin State Park, and Zion National Park.

I also like making stops in Park City and Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument.

Arizona is the perfect escape for adventure and relaxation.
Emily sits on the ground facing to the right. Behind her are large red-rock formations, and in front of her are a small body of water and a cactus.

Emily Hart

Arizona is well known for the Grand Canyon, but the state has much more to offer. From Flagstaff's high-altitude forests to Sedona's iconic red rocks, Arizona's diversity is surprising and worth a trip.

I love hiking among the cacti in Sedona or Scottsdale before heading to one of the many resorts to jump in a pool or hit the spa — the perfect escape for adventure and relaxation.

This story was originally published on April 5, 2024, and most recently updated on October 23, 2026.

Read the original article on Business Insider

Abu Dhabi Peace Talks: Why Putin’s Ambitions May Defeat Trump’s Economic Bargain

23 October 2026 at 16:34

Washington is offering Moscow sanctions relief, commercial opportunities and a possible return to European energy markets. Yet the Kremlin’s objectives in Ukraine extend far beyond economic interests, raising questions about whether Vladimir Putin has any intention of accepting a settlement that preserves Ukraine as an independent European state.

The Kremlin has announced plans for renewed negotiations between Russia, Ukraine and the United States in Abu Dhabi during the first half of November, reviving a diplomatic process that has repeatedly failed to produce a settlement to Moscow’s war against Ukraine.

Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Friday, 23 October, that the discussions would concentrate on post-war security arrangements. He also left open the possibility of eventual European participation, although the initial meeting is intended to remain trilateral.

The announcement follows talks in St Petersburg between Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff. Yet the emerging American proposals reveal a fundamental problem: Washington appears increasingly prepared to offer Russia substantial economic incentives, while Moscow has provided little indication that its political objectives in Ukraine have changed.

The economic bargain taking shape

According to details reported on 23 October, citing The Economist, the American proposals involve Ukraine abandoning its ambition to join NATO in exchange for investment, security arrangements and the prospect of European Union membership.

Russia would receive sanctions relief, renewed commercial relations with American companies and potentially the restoration of natural gas exports to Europe. A demilitarised zone in Donbas is also reportedly under consideration.

The commercial dimension extends beyond theoretical proposals.

American and Russian representatives have discussed investment in the Nord Stream pipeline system and possible arrangements involving Lukoil’s international assets. The negotiations surrounding Russian energy infrastructure suggest that Washington regards commercial cooperation as a potential instrument for securing Moscow’s agreement.

There is no established evidence that Witkoff, Jared Kushner or members of Trump’s family would personally benefit from these arrangements. Nevertheless, the involvement of investors in strategically important Russian assets raises questions about whether economic agreements might advance independently of a settlement acceptable to Ukraine.

The Trump administration has already demonstrated its willingness to relax economic pressure. On 16 October, the president waived major provisions of the Graham sanctions legislation, which he had signed into law only four weeks earlier.

As EU Today previously examined, the decision suspended measures designed to increase the economic costs of Russia’s continuing aggression. Washington justified the waiver on the grounds that sanctions could interfere with negotiations.

Why Putin’s objectives are not primarily economic

The central weakness in a settlement built around commercial incentives is the assumption that Putin’s territorial and political demands can ultimately be exchanged for economic advantages.

Russia’s objectives have never been confined to Donetsk, Luhansk or access to Western markets.

In his July 2021 essay on the historical unity of Russians and Ukrainians, Putin advanced a conception of the two nations as belonging to a single historical and cultural space. His interpretation, examined by the Centre for Eastern Studies, challenged the legitimacy of Ukraine’s development outside Moscow’s political influence.

These ideas preceded the full-scale invasion of February 2022. They also followed Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014 and its intervention in eastern Ukraine.

Putin’s demands therefore concern more than military geography. They involve the extent to which Ukraine can exercise independent political authority, determine its international alliances and integrate with Western institutions.

Even a settlement granting Moscow substantial territory could leave this larger objective unresolved.

An independent Ukraine, increasingly integrated into the European economy and protected by Western security commitments, would remain outside Russia’s political control. For a Kremlin leadership that has repeatedly questioned Ukraine’s separate historical identity, such an outcome would represent a limitation on its wider ambitions.

Putin reinforced this position on 22 October when he again described Ukrainian territory in Donbas as historically Russian.

The advantages of negotiations without compromise

This creates an apparent contradiction. Why would Moscow return to negotiations if its broader objectives remain incompatible with the proposed settlement?

One explanation is that participation itself offers Russia strategic advantages.

Negotiations can preserve diplomatic engagement with Washington, complicate attempts to introduce additional sanctions and maintain American pressure on Kyiv to accept territorial concessions.

They also provide opportunities to negotiate economic arrangements before fundamental security questions have been resolved.

For Putin, the political timetable in Washington is relevant. Trump’s presidency is constitutionally limited to January 2029. Moscow can seek to exploit the present administration’s interest in a diplomatic agreement while continuing military operations.

None of this establishes that Putin has definitively rejected compromise. However, the Kremlin’s willingness to attend negotiations is not equivalent to a willingness to abandon its demands.

Russia continues attacking Ukrainian cities and energy infrastructure. As EU Today reported on 22 October, Russian forces launched 21 ballistic missiles against Kyiv shortly after Witkoff’s discussions with Putin.

The simultaneous pursuit of diplomatic engagement and military pressure allows Moscow to negotiate while attempting to alter conditions on the battlefield.

Europe cannot be treated as an economic bargaining chip

The proposed return of Russian gas exposes another contradiction in Washington’s approach.

The European Union has already adopted binding legislation to phase out Russian gas imports, with full restrictions taking effect during 2027.

The European Commission reiterated on 19 October that it had no plans to reverse its position. Reopening Nord Stream would also face sanctions, infrastructure and political obstacles, particularly in Germany.

Consequently, Washington cannot independently promise Moscow renewed access to European energy markets.

Nor can it guarantee Ukraine’s accession to the EU. Membership requires agreement among the existing member states, completion of accession negotiations and ratification of the relevant treaty.

A settlement negotiated primarily between Washington and Moscow would therefore depend on European decisions over which neither government has unilateral authority.

This helps explain the significance of Peskov’s remarks about possible European participation. Moscow needs European cooperation to secure meaningful sanctions relief and access to markets, even while seeking to negotiate Europe’s security arrangements principally with Washington.

The unresolved question

Trump’s approach rests on the proposition that economic incentives can make a settlement more attractive to Moscow than continued warfare.

Putin’s position presents a different calculation. The Russian president must weigh the benefits of restored commercial relations against the political implications of recognising Ukraine’s durable independence and Western orientation.

Those objectives may prove incompatible.

A settlement that restores Russian energy revenues without credible guarantees against renewed aggression could reduce Moscow’s economic constraints while leaving the causes of the war unresolved.

The decisive test in Abu Dhabi will therefore not be whether negotiators can agree on investment, pipelines or sanctions relief. It will be whether Russia is prepared to accept a Ukrainian state whose sovereignty, political direction and future European integration remain beyond Moscow’s control.

Until that question is answered, renewed negotiations may offer Washington the prospect of a diplomatic achievement while allowing the Kremlin to pursue objectives it has not publicly abandoned.

Ex-Netanyahu confidant Lauder breaks years of silence, warns against PM’s reelection

23 October 2026 at 16:01
World Jewish Congress chief says Israel risks losing US and Diaspora support, backs Eisenkot if forced to choose; recounts rupture with Netanyahu and secret Syria talks that PM abandoned at finish line
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