Russia has stepped up strikes on Ukraine and is waging fierce battles for Pokrovsk, while the US and China are taking steps to contain the conflicts. Bulgaria is seeking an exemption from anti-Russian sanctions, and the Kremlin has once again spoken in the language of ultimatums. Against this backdrop, Donald Trump is demonstrating strength - resuming nuclear tests, increasing sanctions pressure and at the same time promising "eternal peace" with China.
New nuclear tension between the US and Russia: from Poseidon to Trump's tests
After Putin's statements about the successful tests of the Poseidon nuclear torpedo, US President Donald Trump ordered the resumption of testing of American nuclear weapons, which was suspended more than a decade ago.
According to CNN, this decision was a reaction to the demonstrative steps of the Kremlin, which has recently been actively demonstrating new weapons systems, including the Sarmat and Burevestnik missiles.
Trump stressed that the order was not related to China, but aimed at maintaining strategic parity with Russia.
Putin, in turn, said that the Poseidon has a “virtually unlimited range” and is “impossible to intercept.”
Analysts believe that the Kremlin is using nuclear rhetoric to exert political pressure on the West and try to influence the US position on Ukraine. However, Washington’s reaction indicates a willingness to prevent Moscow from gaining unilateral advantage.
Experts warn that after the expiration of the SNO-III treaty in 2026, both states risk entering a new phase of the nuclear arms race.
Russian strikes on Ukraine: deaths, power outages and heavy fighting for Pokrovsk
On Sunday night, Russia carried out massive missile and drone strikes on the territory of Ukraine, which killed at least two people and left hundreds of thousands without electricity. The worst-hit regions were Odesa, Zaporizhzhia, Chernihiv, and Kharkiv, while the entire Donetsk region was left without electricity.
The Ukrainian Defense Ministry reported the destruction of energy infrastructure, which led to emergency power outages. President Volodymyr Zelensky noted that in the past week alone, Russia has launched about 1,500 drones, 1,170 guided bombs, and more than 70 missiles into Ukraine, a significant portion of which hit residential buildings and civilian energy facilities.
Simultaneously with the airstrikes, fierce fighting continues for Pokrovsk, a strategic city in the Donetsk region. The commander of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Oleksandr Syrsky, reported that special forces have been deployed there to stabilize the front, conducting a “comprehensive operation to destroy the enemy.” According to Ukrainian sources, about 200 Russian soldiers have broken through to the city, and fighting continues on the outskirts. Deepstate confirms that part of the southern zone of Pokrovskaya is controlled by the enemy, the rest of the territory remains disputed. Russia is trying to cut off logistical routes, but the Ukrainian army retains control over the main supply routes.
In parallel, Ukraine responded with strikes on the Russian port of Tuapse, where a Rosneft oil terminal caught fire. Footage of the fire on the terminal territory appeared on the network, but the Russian authorities stated that there were no casualties. Analysts link this attack to the escalation of shelling of Ukraine: in October alone, Russia launched 270 missiles at the country - the most since the beginning of 2023. Kyiv calls these actions a “cynical campaign of pressure on the civilian population” aimed at depleting the energy system on the eve of winter.
Kremlin says Trump-Putin meeting not needed
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said, that there is currently “no need” for a meeting between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin, despite previous talks about a possible summit in Budapest.
According to him, “what is needed is not a meeting, but painstaking work on the details of a peaceful settlement.” This indicates that Moscow does not expect quick results from the negotiation process, despite statements about “certain progress.”
Trump previously said that he saw no point in personal talks with Putin until he stops fighting on the current front line.
After the cancellation of the meeting, Washington imposed sanctions on Russian energy giants Lukoil and Rosneft, which irritated the Kremlin.
Despite Russian envoy Kirill Dmitriev’s attempts to create the impression that the parties are close to an agreement, Moscow’s real position remains unchanged – no compromises without Ukraine’s surrender.
Bulgaria seeks a way to circumvent US sanctions against Lukoil
Sofia has asked Washington to consider a temporary exemption from sanctions against the Russian company Lukoil. This is reported by Politico.
The Bulgarian government fears that the shutdown of the Burgas oil refinery, which provides up to 80% of domestic fuel needs, could lead to acute shortages and protests. The sanctions will come into effect on November 21, after which banks must stop cooperating with the company.
The Bulgarian government warns that the economic consequences could destabilize the political situation in the country. In particular, this could strengthen the positions of President Rumen Radev, who has repeatedly spoken out from a pro-Russian position and hinted at creating his own political force.
European partners have not yet commented on the possibility of an exception for Sofia, but experts emphasize that any easing of sanctions would create a dangerous precedent in the unity of the anti-Russian front.
US and China agreed to create military communication channels
The US and Chinese defense ministers have agreed to launch military cooperation channels to prevent conflicts and crises. Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth said this after meeting with his Chinese counterpart Admiral Dong Jun.
The agreement was the result of the summit between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping in Busan, which the parties called “historic”. According to Trump, the “G2” meeting creates the basis for “eternal peace and mutual success.”
The Chinese side welcomed the agreements, but emphasized, that it expects Washington to fulfill its promises “not to contain China and not to support Taiwan’s independence.”
Зустріч стала першим великим дипломатичним кроком у військовій площині між двома наддержавами після кількох років напруженості.
Крім військової комунікації, сторони обговорили торговельне перемир’я та спільний пошук шляхів завершення війни росії проти України.
Author: Danylo Pievchev