Kaja Kallas announced the European Union's plans to expand sanctions lists and urged the US to join in increasing pressure on Moscow. Andrii Sybiha confirmed that Ukraine continues to receive intelligence from the US side. Separately, the Center for Countering Disinformation reported a temporary drop in the activity of certain Russian bot networks following strikes on Yandex data centers.
Zelenskyy States Russia Is Not Observing Energy Truce
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy received a report from the negotiating team that had returned from the US and stated that Russia is currently failing to meet the terms of an energy ceasefire. According tohim, Ukraine supported the proposal for an energy truce and is ready to guarantee its observance. Meanwhile, the Russian side—as the President noted—has not taken corresponding steps. Zelenskyy pointed out that strikes on energy infrastructure had occurred just prior to his statement and were continuing on the day he made it.
"A report from the negotiating team following meetings in the US and based on daily communication with the US President's team. Ukraine is ready for real solutions and de-escalation steps to bring the end of this war closer. Ukraine has supported an energy ceasefire. The position is absolutely clear: Ukraine is ready to guarantee an energy ceasefire, as announced by the US President, and Russia must take corresponding steps," Zelenskyy stated.
He noted that air raid alerts sounded across Ukraine throughout the day, with Russian forces deploying "Shahed"-type attack drones and aerial bombs. "If these strikes are Russia's response to the US President's statement, it means the Russians have squandered yet another opportunity to bring peace closer. Much depends on America's stance for de-escalation to actually work. Pressure on Russia is essential. We continue to engage with the American side at all levels. We have outlined the next steps and the diplomatic framework," the Head of State added.
Ukrainian strikes on Yandex data centers affected the operation of Russian bot networks abroad
The Center for Countering Disinformation at the NSDC of Ukraine analyzed changes in global internet traffic following Ukrainian strikes on data centers belonging to the Russian IT company Yandex in Sasovo, Kaluga, and Vladimir. Preliminary results indicate no significant overall decline in Russian bot network activity; however, the strikes did disrupt the continuity of their operations and content dissemination. Specifically, a drop in views was observed in France and the US for content from certain speakers linked to the spread of Kremlin narratives. Temporary disruptions were also recorded in the automated information networks Pravda, InfoDefense, and Nod of Time.
According to the Center, the intensity and volume of posts within specific clusters of these networks dropped by approximately half for about 12 hours, after which activity resumed. A notable decline was also recorded in the spread of specific thematic search queries that, according to the agency, were being artificially promoted by Russia on the social network X. The Center noted that the disruption of Yandex’s digital infrastructure hindered the coordination of Russian bot farms and automated disinformation-spreading systems. The agency continues to monitor botnet activity and analyze changes in their operations.
Ukraine continues to receive intelligence from the US, Sybiha says
Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga stated, that Ukraine continues to receive intelligence from the United States. He made these remarks during the Warsaw Security Forum while answering a question about cooperation between the two countries. "You are likely asking whether we receive intelligence from the American side. Yes, we are continuing this cooperation," the Foreign Minister noted. Sybiha also commented on the air raid alert issued overnight into Tuesday, stating that it was delayed due to Russia's use of a specific type of weaponry.
Previously The Financial Times reported, citing sources, that US officials had threatened to halt intelligence sharing with Ukraine if it continued to attack Russian oil refineries. Meanwhile, the Chairman of the US Senate Armed Services Committee, Roger Wicker, stated at the same forum that intelligence sharing between the countries is a two-way process.
"It is a fact that the United States shares intelligence, but we also receive a great deal of intelligence from our Ukrainian friends," the senator said. He described this cooperation as a "two-way street."
Wicker also stated that the world is facing "the most serious and dangerous international security situation we have seen since before World War II." He attributed this to an "axis of aggression" involving Russia, China, North Korea, and Iran.
"There is no doubt that they are helping each other. Undoubtedly, Russia could not act the way it does in Ukraine without China's assistance; we must realize this, and the consequence of such realization should be an intensification of efforts by all parties," Wicker said.
He also supported the efforts of NATO countries that have agreed to allocate five percent of their GDP to defense and urged the US to cooperate more actively with South Korea and other allies in the Asia-Pacific region.
Zelenskyy stated that the US could secure a real energy truce from Russia
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky stated, that the United States possesses sufficient strength and capability to secure a real energy truce from Russia. According to him, the Ukrainian negotiating team maintains daily contact with the American side, and Ukraine is ready for a ceasefire in the energy sector. Zelenskyy emphasized that Kyiv has repeatedly proposed such a truce, while Russia must take its own steps to halt the strikes. He also noted that air raid alerts and Russian drone attacks were ongoing in Ukraine on the day of his address.
"We will continue to engage constructively with the American president's team. In fact, our negotiating team is in touch with them every day. Everyone in America knows—and many support—our position that things must be fair. Ukraine is ready for an energy ceasefire; indeed, we are the ones who have repeatedly proposed such a ceasefire." "Russia must take steps toward a cessation of hostilities. Right now, the day is filled with air raid alerts, strikes, and 'Shahed' attacks. America certainly possesses the power and capacity to ensure a cessation of hostilities—a real, reliable de-escalation. A real and reliable halt to Russia. There must be genuine movement toward this," the President stated.
He also reported on talks with European leaders who reaffirmed their support for Ukraine. Specifically, Zelenskyy spoke with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, and participated in the Warsaw Security Forum alongside Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk and the heads of government of Norway and Lithuania.
"Everyone holds absolutely clear positions. Ukraine must be supported, and Russia must not be given a chance to break us—our country, our people, and by extension, Europe. I thank all the leaders and all the nations for their support. The main thing is that decisions will be made, and packages will be delivered that will help us—our defense and our protection," Zelenskyy said.
According to him, Ukraine will continue diplomatic contacts with the US and European partners. The President emphasized the need for practical solutions to support Ukraine's defense. He also stated that the US has the capacity to influence Russia's adherence to an energy truce.
EU to Maintain Sanctions Pressure on Russia Despite Trump-Putin Agreements
The European Union does not plan to alter its sanctions policy regarding Russia, despite the agreements reached between US President Donald Trump and Putin concerning the supply of Russian diesel fuel. Kaja Kallas, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, stated this ahead of the EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting in Luxembourg on October 12. According to her, the EU proposes adding another 1,600 items to the sanctions lists, as it considers pressure on Russia essential to ending the war. Kallas also emphasized that the EU expects adherence to the announced energy truce but currently sees no fulfillment of its terms by the Russian side.
"That is why we are continuing on our own path. We are currently adding 1,600 items to the sanctions lists because we see that only pressure on Russia can yield results. Russia started this war, and we must not forget that," Kallas said.
She stated that the imposed restrictions have deprived Russia of resources that could have been used to finance the war.
"Sanctions have deprived them of one trillion euros, and that trillion euros will not go toward financing this war," the official emphasized. According to her, sanctions against Russia's shadow fleet also complicate the financing of the war, although Moscow continues to seek ways to circumvent the restrictions.
Kallas urged the US to coordinate its sanctions policy with the European Union and other partners.
"Everything would work much more effectively if our partners from the UK and the US acted in coordination with us. The UK acts in coordination with us, but if the US also acted in coordination—if they passed Graham's bill regarding Russia—we could truly exert pressure to make Russia end this war," she stated.
Kallas noted that over the last ten meetings of the EU Foreign Affairs Council, member states have adopted new sanctions lists. "If we want to put an end to this war, the only way to do so is to increase pressure on Russia. We call on the US to impose sanctions so that we can truly end this war," the EU High Representative added.
Photo: SOPA Images/Sipa USA
Author: Danylo Pievchev