Overview
- Following White House talks, Zelensky said discussions focused on strengthening air defenses, long‑range strike options and leveraging pressure to end the war, including a possible Budapest format.
- Trump confirmed Tomahawk cruise missiles were on the agenda but expressed reluctance to supply them, citing U.S. stock needs and saying he prefers to end the conflict without Tomahawks.
- Trump said he spoke with Putin and could meet him in Budapest within about two weeks, as Orban touted preparations, while the European Commission reiterated Hungary must cooperate with the ICC on existing warrants.
- Ukraine’s General Staff logged 128 clashes on October 17 and 74 more by mid‑afternoon October 18, with the Pokrovsk direction accounting for the highest share of Russian attacks.
- Ukrainian strikes in occupied Crimea ignited fuel facilities, and a Ukrainian Navy spokesman said Russian air defenses likely downed a Russian aircraft during the engagement, with details still being verified.