September 18, 2026
-
Trump signs 'Graham Act' imposing up to 100% tariffs on buyers of Russian energy
US President Donald Trump signed the 'Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026' on September 18, 2026 (overnight into September 19 Kyiv time). The law authorizes tariffs of up to 100% on imports from countries that remain among the five largest buyers of Russian crude oil and natural gas, and continues existing US sanctions against Iran. China, India, and Turkey are named as the most likely targets. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky thanked Trump and Congress, while Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha called the signing a 'truly historic day.'
-
Pentagon weighs pulling up to 25,000 U.S. troops out of Europe in largest post-Cold War drawdown
The Pentagon is weighing a large-scale withdrawal of U.S. aircraft, ships, weapons and tens of thousands of military personnel from Europe, with one scenario envisioning roughly 25,000 troops removed — about a third of the 80,000-strong American contingent on the continent. Supreme Allied Commander Europe Air Force General Alexus Grynkewich is delivering his analysis to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on September 18, with a final recommendation due November 6. Lawmakers from both parties and European allies have warned the cuts could embolden Russia.
-
UN report documents over 1,000 cases of conflict-related sexual violence in Ukraine since 2022
The UN Human Rights Office has documented around 1,004 cases of conflict-related sexual violence in Ukraine between 24 February 2022 and the end of July of the reporting year, attributing 89% of cases to representatives of Russian authorities. The report, based on confidential interviews with hundreds of victims as well as court documents and official records, details specific methods including rape, genital mutilation, and the use of Soviet-era "tapik" field telephones to deliver electric shocks to victims' genitals. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk called for the immediate cessation of hostilities and a full Russian withdrawal from Ukraine.
-
Russia mass-launches repurposed training missiles from S-400 systems against Ukraine
Russia has sharply increased its use of RM-48U missiles — originally built for air-defense crew training — against Ukraine, launching them from S-400 systems. The repurposed missiles accounted for more than half of all Russian ballistic and hypersonic strikes in July, according to the General Prosecutor's Office, while the use of precision Iskander missiles dropped sharply. Analysts say the strategy aims to exhaust Ukraine's air-defense interceptors and conserve Iskander, KN-23 and Zircon missiles for a winter campaign.
-
EU draft budget for 2028–2034 includes €100 billion for Ukraine, diplomat says figure not questioned
The EU's draft Multiannual Financial Framework for 2028–2034 includes a planned €100 billion allocation for Ukraine, according to reporting by European Pravda. A senior EU diplomat familiar with the budget preparations said the figure is not currently being questioned among member states. A significant portion of the EU leaders' summit on 15–16 October in Brussels was to be devoted to the long-term budget.