Obama says Trump is turning away from Ukraine and US allies

Former US President Barack Obama accused Donald Trump’s administration of siding with Russia over Ukraine at a Georgia rally on Wednesday, as Democrats campaigned ahead of the November 3 midterm elections.

French aircraft to patrol Black Sea after ship attacks

France has deployed an Atlantique 2 maritime patrol aircraft to Romania at Bucharest’s request, to monitor the western Black Sea amid repeated attacks on commercial shipping.

Russia's political repression toll reaches 69 deaths

At least 69 people subjected to politically motivated persecution in Russia have died since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022, according to a Memorial report published in October 2026.

Passengers stranded as Villa Vie Odyssey halts its world cruise

Villa Vie Residences suspended the Odyssey’s world voyage in Cambodia on October 27, forcing 203 passengers to leave the ship as soaring fuel costs strained the operator’s finances.

EU aims to triple border guards and increase their powers for returning migrants

The European Commission has proposed a major expansion of the mandate of the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex). Under the proposal presented on October 27, the agency’s standing corps will grow to 10,000 personnel by 2027 and reach 30,000 by 2041. Frontex will also become the European Union’s main operational body responsible for returning migrants, DW reports.

Bucharest ties arms plant fire to Moscow sabotage network

Romanian authorities confirmed that Russian secret services coordinated a deliberate arson attack near the Carfil arms factory in Brasov on Sept. 14, marking Moscow's first military sabotage operation in Romania.

Zelenskyy says Ukraine will not accept Russian terms

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Kyiv will reject Russian demands for neutrality and limits on its armed forces, while reserving territorial questions for talks between national leaders.

US pressures Kyiv to halt Russian oil strikes ahead of midterms

U.S. President Donald Trump is pressuring Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to halt strikes on Russian oil infrastructure, sparking fears that Washington could scale back military and intelligence aid to Kyiv, Reuters reported.

Could Viktor Orbán lead the United Nations?

The Trump administration has reportedly encouraged former Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán to seek the UN secretary-general post, with Russia and China potentially backing his candidacy, according to the Wall Street Journal.

Iotova and Gyurov head for Bulgaria presidential runoff

Bulgaria’s Central Election Commission reported on October 26 that incumbent President Iliana Iotova’s ticket led with 35.5% of the vote, with 17.86% of tally sheets processed.

Ukraine says pressure on Russia is key to peace talks

Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said on October 26 that Russia would not engage in serious peace talks while it believed it could force Ukraine to surrender, calling for increased pressure on Moscow to end the war.

Vucic concedes defeat as students win Serbia vote

Serbia's student-backed electoral list is projected to win 141 parliamentary seats, according to Ipsos/CeSID estimates, after Aleksandar Vucic conceded defeat in Sunday's snap election.