Overview
- The White House issued a presidential order on Friday suspending planned Russia-related sanctions and confirmed a deal to allow U.S. purchases of Russian diesel, steps that critics say benefit Moscow.
- Ukrainian officials reported temporary limits this week on SpaceX’s military Starshield service and pauses in some U.S. intelligence sharing, and Elon Musk said the systems are under U.S. government control.
- Feeling “betrayed,” President Volodymyr Zelenski resumed strikes on Russian refineries after a brief pause that Washington had pushed for, arguing the attacks raise global fuel prices.
- Kyiv faces concrete defense shortfalls, including a reported lack of Patriot interceptors and degraded satellite connectivity, which officials say weakens air defenses and heightens civilian risk ahead of winter.
- EU leaders in Brussels rallied to back Zelenski, pledged continued sanctions and prepared a large 2027 funding request from Kyiv of roughly €70–90 billion, a move that could reshape allied finance and political pressure on Washington.