By Sohaib Shams
First lady Melania Trump will host Russian and Ukrainian officials at the White House on Thursday to discuss a ceasefire in the Ukrainian town of Oleshky, the White House announced Tuesday. The meeting marks an unprecedented diplomatic initiative by a U.S. first lady.
British troops prepare for peacekeeping role
Hundreds of British troops and RAF jets will take part in major military exercises in Poland this month to prepare for potential post-ceasefire peacekeeping operations in Ukraine. The drills come as UK and European forces have been authorized to fire back at Russian forces if attacked during Ukrainian peacekeeping missions.
Russian strike kills dozens at aid center
A Russian air attack on an aid distribution center in the village of Komyshuvakha, in Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia region, killed at least 31 people and injured dozens more on Monday. Among the dead were two rescue workers and four police officers. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the strike as “utterly horrific.”
Trilateral talks set for Abu Dhabi
Negotiators from Ukraine, Russia, and the United States will meet in Abu Dhabi on November 10-11 for the first direct three-way talks since February. The agenda includes security guarantees, an energy ceasefire, and a Black Sea truce to secure food exports.
Other developments
The Kremlin has again invited Zelensky to Moscow, a move he dismissed as “destructive.” Norway announced $107 million in investments for Ukraine. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov met with OSCE Secretary General Feridun Sinirlioglu in Minsk. Reports also suggest a possible trilateral meeting between Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin, and Xi Jinping later this month.
