Coalition of the Willing
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Ukraine, US and Russia open first direct trilateral talks in Abu Dhabi since February
The first round of direct Ukraine-US-Russia negotiations opened in Abu Dhabi on 10 November, with the United States mediating at working level. The parties discussed humanitarian measures, a prisoner exchange, security guarantees, de-escalation and Europe's post-war security architecture. Ukraine and Russia remain far apart on sequencing a ceasefire and on territorial issues.
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Coalition of the Willing begins major military exercises in Poland with 2,800 troops
The first joint military exercises of the Coalition of the Willing supporting Ukraine began in Poland on 9 November. About 2,800 personnel from 11 countries are taking part in Koalicja 2026, which is designed to test multinational cooperation, troop deployment, logistics and preparations for possible support to Ukraine after the war.
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Zelenskyy and Germany’s defence minister discuss accelerating PAC-2 missile deliveries
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius in Germany to discuss strengthening Ukraine’s air defences. The sides will work to accelerate PAC-2 missile deliveries and consider supplying IRIS-T systems and ammunition for F-16 fighter jets.
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Britain and France Lead Exercise Koalicja in Poland for Possible Ukraine Deployment
Britain and France are leading the multinational Exercise Koalicja in Poland to prepare for a possible European force deployment to Ukraine after hostilities end. The November 9–22 exercise involves about 2,800 personnel from 11 countries and covers ground, air and maritime operations.
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EU has yet to agree who should represent Europe in possible talks with Putin
European governments are considering a single negotiator, or a group of negotiators, to hold direct talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin about ending the war in Ukraine, but no consensus has been reached. Candidates include Finnish President Alexander Stubb, European Council President António Costa, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas. The debate intensified after US envoy Steve Witkoff proposed a trilateral meeting involving Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky.
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Zelensky urges Trump to pressure Putin, keep sanctions and provide air defense missiles
President Volodymyr Zelensky said Donald Trump could help end Russia’s war against Ukraine and force Vladimir Putin to negotiate if he applied the same rhetoric toward Putin that he uses toward Zelensky. He named two priorities for Ukraine’s allies: preserving sanctions against Russia and supplying more effective air defense missiles. Zelensky also rejected Trump’s claim that Ukraine is responsible for rising US diesel prices.
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Ukraine's finance minister tells Rada country is in liquidity crisis, blames $29.5bn shortfall in partner aid
Finance Minister Serhiy Marchenko told the Verkhovna Rada on 12 October that Ukraine's state budget has fallen roughly 50 billion hryvnia short of planned revenues over nine months of 2026, with 39 billion hryvnia in payments deferred to year's end and capital expenditures blocked. He attributed the squeeze to a $29.5 billion shortfall in expected partner support tied to delayed reforms under IMF, EU and World Bank programs. Marchenko said military pay and social programs remain fully funded, but the Rada must now pass dozens of reform-related bills to unlock the rest.
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Ukraine says defence deficit for 2026 is $27 billion, $20 billion in partner talks
Ukrainian Prime Minister Serhiy Koretsky said Ukraine's 2026 defence budget deficit stands at $27 billion. About $7 billion is to be covered through domestic austerity and reallocation, while the remaining $20 billion is being negotiated with international partners. The government is racing to meet commitments by mid-October or risk losing access to $29.5 billion in planned international financing.