Lucrezia Ciotti Donald Trump announces a possible meeting between Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelensky to help end the war in Ukraine. Meanwhile, the humanitarian truce in Oleshky goes into effect, while a new Russian airstrike hits Kharkiv. Cardinal Zuppi calls for dialogue and a lasting peace, but diplomatic tensions and difficulties on the military front remain.
Humanitarian truce in Oleshky, Zuppi: "Peace is possible." New Russian airstrike on Kharkiv
A humanitarian truce has come into effect in Oleshky, in Ukraine's Kherson region, a city besieged by Russian forces and facing a serious humanitarian emergency. The situation of the population had also attracted the attention of Pope Leo XIV and Melania Trump, who have been busy drawing attention to the suffering of civilians.
Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, president of the Italian Bishops' Conference and papal envoy for the humanitarian crisis linked to the war, welcomed the outcome in an interview with La Stampa , given in Assisi during the Interreligious Meeting of the Community of Sant'Egidio. Zuppi spoke of encouraging signs , linked to the growing collaboration between the parties and the involvement of the international community, emphasizing the value of the meetings promoted by the Pope.
The truce, he explained, represents the result of several diplomatic contacts and a desire to overcome the conflicts that will need to be consolidated over time.
For the cardinal, the goal is to transform the suspension of hostilities into a stable condition , inserting it into a broader peacebuilding project, in which Europe is called to play a central role. Zuppi reiterated that diplomacy must begin with the concrete suffering of people and not be limited to institutional negotiations. Recounting his meetings with prisoners of war in Russia and Ukraine, he recalled men of different ages united by the desire to return home and be reunited with their families, sometimes without news of their loved ones for three years. He also called for strengthening the European Union , the United Nations, and multilateralism , prioritizing dialogue and disarmament over a strategy based on rearmament.
Meanwhile, on the military front, Kharkiv was hit by a new Russian airstrike that hit a multi-story residential building. According to RBC-Ukraine , citing Mayor Igor Terekhov, several people were injured and some residents were trapped in the damaged structure , while rescuers rushed to the scene.
At the same time, Moscow maintains a cautious stance on the prospects for relations with Washington: Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov stated, according to the Interfax news agency, that the Kremlin does not expect a radical improvement in bilateral relations after the US midterm elections . The diplomat attributed his pessimism to the presence of a broad bipartisan consensus against Russia in the United States, speculating that more moderate positions could find room outside the current composition of Congress.
Trump confident about peace in Ukraine: "Putin and Zelensky will meet very soon."
US President Donald Trump expressed confidence in the possibility of a face-to-face meeting between Russian leader Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky soon. Speaking to reporters, the White House chief anticipated that the meeting could take place " very soon ," adding that he believed " significant progress " could be made in negotiations to end the war . The comments are part of international diplomatic efforts to promote a solution to the conflict, while Kiev has issued a renewed appeal for increased Western military support.
Zelensky emphasized that, during 2026, Ukrainian forces were in a stronger position than at several earlier periods of the war. However, the president highlighted the difficulties related to the availability of air defense systems, particularly Patriots, and delays in aid deliveries. In a message published on X, he reported that, starting on October 14, Russia had launched over 100 ballistic missiles against Kiev and the surrounding region in the space of two weeks. According to the Ukrainian leader, timely and sustained support from international partners would strengthen the country's ability to defend itself and its position at the diplomatic table.