Russia and Ukraine: the story so far

🧵 The story so far Updated Sat 24 Oct

Russia and Ukraine

In one minute: Russia's war in Ukraine is increasingly fought from the air: the armies are largely deadlocked on the ground, and about a fifth of Ukraine is under Russian occupation. On 11 October President Trump announced an "energy ceasefire". Ukraine said it would comply if Russia did; Russia's foreign minister rejected it, and Russian strikes on Ukraine's power system went on, cutting electricity to 600,000 people.

📍 Ukraine · Russia

📅 What happened

21 OctPutin meets US envoy Witkoff in St Petersburg; the Kremlin says he agreed in principle to resume three-way talks with the US and Ukraine after 10 November. Read it
20 OctWitkoff meets Zelenskyy and European leaders in Oslo; at the White House Trump presses Zelenskyy to make a deal with Russia, saying the US has got “absolutely nothing back” from Ukraine. Read it
18 OctUkraine launches more than 1,000 drones at Russia, setting an oil terminal and depot ablaze in St Petersburg; Russia says it destroyed 1,015. A Russian strike kills a woman in Kyiv. Read it

Show earlier days (7)

16 OctAt a Brussels summit EU leaders keep sanctions on Russia; Zelenskyy asks for an extra 70 billion euros for next year and the Commission is asked how to fill the gap. Read it
14 OctRussian strikes kill at least nine and cut power to over half a million; on 15 October Zelenskyy says Kyiv is done with the energy pause and refinery strikes will resume. Read it
By 14 OctOvernight strikes leave at least 600,000 Ukrainians without power; the EU approves its largest sanctions package since 2022. Read it
12 OctUkraine reports fresh strikes on energy sites, including a power plant in Kharkiv; Foreign Minister Lavrov rejects the idea.
11 OctMr Trump announces an "energy ceasefire", effective immediately. Neither Moscow nor Kyiv confirms it. Read it
9 OctThe US eases sanctions so Russia can supply it with diesel; Ukrainian and European officials criticise the deal. Read it
February 2022Ukraine comes under martial law, still in force, during the war with Russia.

👥 Who's who

Volodymyr ZelenskyyUkraine's president; backs an energy truce if Russia complies.

Vladimir PutinRussia's president; US envoys say he is not ready to negotiate an end.

Sergey LavrovRussia's foreign minister; rejected the energy pause.

Donald TrumpUS president; announced the pause and eased sanctions on Russian diesel.

The EUApproved its largest set of sanctions on Russia since 2022.

❓ Why energy?

Each side has been striking the other's energy system: Russia hits Ukraine's power plants and grid, and Ukraine hits Russian oil refineries with long-range drones.

❓ What is the diesel deal?

Two days before the announcement, the US eased sanctions so Russia could supply it with diesel. Ukrainian and European officials said this helps fund Russia's war, and US senators from both parties objected.

❓ Will Ukraine hold elections?

Ukraine's constitution bars elections under martial law, in force since February 2022. Mr Zelenskyy says he would organise one if Russia agreed to a 60-day full ceasefire.

💛 If this news worries you

News of war can feel heavy. Diplomats are still talking: Ukraine says it would accept an energy truce if Russia does, and the Kremlin says contacts are continuing. If the news is upsetting you, it's fine to take a break from it and talk to someone you trust.

For grown-ups: sources

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