Russia

Lawmakers say US briefing showed Russia targeting Democrats with misinformation

"And the state of play, I would argue, is that, you know, Russia, similar to prior occasions, is going after Democrats," Senator Mark Warner said.

U.S. Senator Mark Warner (D-VA) speaks during an interview with Reuters on artificial intelligence on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., U.S., September 16, 2026.
Members of the Russian delegation, including President Vladimir Putin and foreign policy adviser Yuri Ushakov, attend a meeting with US special envoy Steve Witkoff at the Constantine Palace in Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 21, 2026.

Putin agrees to resume three-way peace talks with Ukraine, US, after meeting with Witkoff

(Illustrative) Police officers work in the vicinity of an Antonov cargo plane, near which a drone was found, at Leipzig/Halle Airport in Schkeuditz, Germany, August 5, 2026, after the police said explosives experts examined a drone near a runway.

Germany's military warns of 'significant' Russian sabotage threat, raising alert level

US citizen Stephen Hubbard, accused of serving as a mercenary for Ukraine against Russia in the course of a military conflict, appears in a court hearing, in Moscow, Russia October 7, 2024, in this still image from archive video.

Russia releases wrongfully detained US citizen Hubbard following Witkoff-Putin meeting


US special envoy Witkoff arrives in St. Petersburg for talks with Putin after Zelensky meeting

Russian special envoy Kirill Dmitriev, who will take part in the meeting with Putin, will meet Witkoff at the airport, two sources told Reuters.

Illustrative: White House Special Envoy Steve Witkoff gets off the airplane as he arrives at Oslo Airport on October 20, 2026 ahead of Ukraine talks.

Witkoff to present new Ukrainian peace proposal to Putin after meeting with Zelensky - report

Witkoff is set to travel to Russia after meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Norway on Tuesday while Kushner will be joining the meeting virtually, according to the report. 

Russian President Vladimir Putin shakes hands with Jared Kushner, U.S. President Donald Trump's son-in-law, as U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff stands nearby during a meeting at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, September 5, 2026.

Who is Russian-held US citizen Stephen Hubbard? - explainer

In January 2025, Washington designated Hubbard as wrongfully detained, enabling the US government to pursue negotiations for his release.

A screen set up at a hall of the Moscow City Court broadcasts the verdict announcement in the trial of US citizen Stephen Hubbard, then 72, accused of fighting as a mercenary for Ukraine, in Moscow on October 7, 2024.

Rubio says delay to deliver Ukraine weapons may not be political amid Pentagon ammunition shortage

Also on Tuesday, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said that the European Union must adjust its strategic posture in the Arctic as Russia rebuilds its military footprint there.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio looks on upon his arrival at the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel in Mumbai on October 20, 2026.

Israel's Elbit Systems acquires Canadian underwater drone company amid rising Russian Arctic threat

Elbit Systems' acquisition of Canadian firm ISE strengthens its underwater surveillance, mine countermeasures, and anti-submarine warfare capabilities.

International Submarine Engineering Ltd. (ISE)'s Explorer Autonomous Underwater Vehicle. ISE was acquired by Israeli defense giant Elbit. Published October 20, 2026.

Iran hosts Russia’s FM Lavrov as Moscow seeks benefit from US sanctions relief - analysis

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s visit to Tehran this week to meet Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi shows Moscow's maneuvering.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian attend a meeting in Tehran, Iran, October 19, 2026.

Trump open to idea of joint meeting with Xi, Putin next month

US President Donald Trump has sought to warm ties with Russia and China as the two non-Western powers grow closer, a move that could lower global tensions but also raise alarms for US allies.

US President Donald Trump speaks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, as they meet to negotiate for an end to the war in Ukraine, at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska, US, August 15, 2025.

US officials plan to travel to Norway for Ukraine talks, sources say

The next round of negotiations on ending the war between Russia and Ukraine comes amid increased tensions between Washington and Kyiv.

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, US pecial Envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, US President Donald Trump's son-in-law, after a joint news conference, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine September 6, 2026.

Massive overnight Russian attack leaves over half a million Ukrainians without power, Zelensky says

"Another Russian ballistic missile attack came in several waves overnight, and once again, there was no early warning from our partners," Zelensky wrote.

Aftermath of massive Russian attack against Ukraine that left over half a million without power, October 19, 2026.

Putin suggests meeting with Trump, Xi to discuss Ukraine war resolution - report

This comes as Trump and Zelensky publicly criticize the other's decisions, with Trump claiming that Zelensky 'doesn't want to end this war, and probably never did.'

Russian President Vladimir Putin attends a meeting with Jared Kushner, U.S. President Donald Trump's son-in-law, and U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, September 5, 2026.