FAULTLINEGlobal event monitor The world todayAll situations

Diplomacy · Impact 1 Watch

Downing Street rejects Witkoff's description of Putin as a 'humanitarian'

· London, United Kingdom · single source so far

No 10 said Putin has killed thousands of innocent Ukrainians and his own people. Witkoff met Putin in St Petersburg on Wednesday as the US pressed Kyiv toward a settlement.

Location
London, United Kingdom · United Kingdom live map
Coordinates
51.50°N 0.13°W
Reported
22 Oct 2026, 16:33 UTC
Category
Diplomacy
Impact
1 of 5 · Watch
Situation
Russia–Ukraine

Russia–Ukraine right now

■ Steady

Ukraine says Starlink restored; Abu Dhabi talks expected next month amid ongoing strikes

On Saturday Ukraine said its Starlink and Starshield connection was stable again after disruptions that caused tensions with Washington, and negotiators from Ukraine, Russia and the US are expected to meet in Abu Dhabi next month. Strikes continued on both sides. On Thursday the UN said Russian attacks killed at least 14 civilians and injured 78 across Ukraine, hours after Moscow said it was ready to resume talks. Maritime analysts say nearly 50 commercial vessels have been attacked in the Black Sea in October.

  • Ukraine's defence minister said the Starlink and Starshield link is stable again. On Friday Zelensky said limits persisted, and US officials and Elon Musk gave conflicting accounts of who controls access.
  • Putin said Russia is ready to resume three-way talks on the security parameters of a final deal, not a short truce.
  • Romania blames Russia for a drone strike that sank the Comoros-flagged Khoryv near its waters, killing one sailor with three missing.
  • The White House says a localised ceasefire in Oleshky will take effect, but neither Russia nor Ukraine has confirmed it.
Updated 24 Oct 2026, 16:59 UTC · Written by Claude from the reports on this page and on the map. Check the linked sources for full details.

More from Russia–Ukraine

All 118 events in Russia–Ukraine →