Key developments on Oct. 28:

• Putin 'wanted very much' for Melania Trump to broker Oleshky ceasefire, first lady adviser says
• Ukraine reportedly strikes chemical, metallurgical plants in Russia
• Russia building new drone launch site near Millerovo airfield in Rostov Oblast, HUR says
• Netherlands announces 500 million euro military

"We need to have this meeting till the end of (next) month, I hope... between Nov. 6 and 10," Zelensky said at a press conference with Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten.

A planned meeting between Ukraine, Russia, and the U.S. in Abu Dhabi will focus on de-escalating Russia's war, President Volodymyr Zelensky told reporters on Oct. 27, as Moscow seemingly agreed to resume talks with Kyiv after a pause of more than eight months.

Although Ukrainian officials do

Zelensky praised Norway and Finland for putting their diplomacy "completely out in the open: discussions in advance, a full briefing, and transparent objectives," saying that not all countries had taken the time to speak with Ukraine beforehand.

Talks are aimed at reopening strait of Hormuz and lifting sanctions on Iran, and for Houthis to withdraw in Yemen

A multipronged peace deal to reopen the strait of Hormuz within four days of sanctions being lifted and for the Houthis to withdraw substantial forces inside Yemen are at the heart of Gulf states’ plans to avert what they regard as a disastrous renewal of war between Iran and the US.

The US is aware of the talks’ progress but is holding out for a concession that European powers suggest could involve Iran allowing UN weapons inspectors back into the country.

Continue reading...

© Photograph: Amirhosein Khorgooi/AP

© Photograph: Amirhosein Khorgooi/AP

© Photograph: Amirhosein Khorgooi/AP

Russian President Vladimir Putin delivered a lengthy lecture on medieval Slavic history to the leaders of Norway and Finland during an Oct. 27 phone call, offering little mention of an immediate ceasefire despite renewed diplomatic efforts to end Moscow's war in Ukraine, the Financial Times (FT) reported.