Overview
- Trump said he has not yet decided on an in‑person meeting with Vladimir Putin and pledged to outline next steps within two days, later adding he does not view such a meeting as a waste of time.
- NATO confirmed Secretary‑General Mark Rutte is in Washington for an unscheduled visit that includes a meeting with Trump on October 21–22.
- Senate Republican leader John Thune said a tougher Russia sanctions bill is ready to be brought to a vote whenever the White House deems the timing useful.
- Reports from recent talks indicate Trump declined to provide Ukraine with long‑range Tomahawk missiles, a stance praised by commentators who warn of escalation risks.
- Trump ruled out additional tariffs on China over Beijing’s purchases of Russian oil and reiterated that the U.S. could again halt civil aircraft spare‑parts shipments to China as leverage.