Updated

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on October 16 at the EU summit in Brussels that Russian President Vladimir Putin does not want negotiations in any format, while the Kremlin said it fully agrees with Donald Trump's recent criticism of Zelensky. The Moscow Times reported Putin continues to demand Kyiv cede full control of Donetsk region as a precondition for any ceasefire, a condition Ukraine rejects. A German political scientist said Trump is ready to make virtually any deal with Putin that benefits him personally, regardless of Ukraine's interests. Zelensky warned NATO must take Russian drone threats seriously, saying the Kremlin would not stop at Ukraine's borders, and said Europe may need to secure Ukraine's victory without US support if Washington's backing wanes.