Overview

• Zelensky said his Oct. 11 call with Trump was very positive and productive, thanking the U.S. president for his willingness to help.
• Both leaders discussed concrete options to strengthen Ukraine’s air defenses, with Zelensky saying good options and solid ideas are being prepared.
• Ukraine will send a delegation to the United States next week to negotiate sanctions policy, energy and air-defense assistance, and the potential use of frozen Russian assets.
• Russian strikes severely damaged the power network, triggering large blackouts before repairs restored service to most users, with reported deaths including two energy workers in Chernihiv and a 7-year-old in Zaporizhzhia.
• Ukraine’s commander-in-chief reported a 74% interception rate against drones and missiles and said Russian air attacks rose about 30% over the past month, as Zelensky also coordinated next steps with Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney.