Doomsday Clock for Ukraine Peace Ticks On as Zelenskyy Urges Sanctions and Missiles
The doomsday clock for Ukraine peace ticks on as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine needs missiles from allies and the maintenance of sanctions against Russia to counter Vladimir Putin's efforts to prolong the war, while US Vice President JD Vance reported that Russia and Ukraine remain far apart on key issues despite agreeing to resume peace negotiations.
Zelenskyy on Ukraine's Priority Needs from Allies
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has stated that Ukraine currently needs two main things from its allies: missiles and maintaining sanctions against Russia. [3] He commented on recent tensions with the US, stressing that the tensions were not about personalities. [3] Zelenskyy said his attitude to Putin is very clear and that lifting sanctions would make him stronger. [3] He noted that it is not something personal between him and President Trump and that he is against any lifting of sanctions. [3] Zelenskyy is convinced that Vladimir Putin is playing with other people's lives and certainly does not want to end the war. [3] He added that Ukraine wants its partners not to give Putin a possibility to be stronger and break Ukraine. [3] Although European allies have provided Ukraine with some air defence missiles, Zelenskyy said it is not enough to defend itself. [3] He stated that Ukraine mostly needs two things from its allies right now: not to lift sanctions from Putin and to give better missiles. [3]
Zelenskyy's Assessment of Trump's Potential Role
Zelenskyy believes US President Donald Trump can help end Russia's war against Ukraine if he changes his rhetoric towards Kremlin ruler Vladimir Putin. [4] He said Trump can make Putin sit down at the negotiating table very easily by directing the rhetoric he uses towards Zelenskyy at Putin instead. [4] Zelenskyy noted that Trump has sanctions against Russia on his desk that Congress voted for and that he can implement them. [4] He also described as unfair Trump's statements suggesting that the Ukrainian president is to blame for rising diesel prices in the US. [4] Zelenskyy explained that Ukraine is striking Russian oil refineries in response to attacks by the aggressor state on Ukraine's energy infrastructure. [4] An energy ceasefire could change the situation, but Trump has so far been unable to reach an agreement on the issue. [4] He said President Trump cannot reach an agreement with Putin on this because Putin is refusing him, so the president decides to blame Zelenskyy rather than Putin. [4] Zelenskyy added that Trump tells Americans that prices in the US are rising because Ukraine is striking Russia, which is completely untrue. [4] He stated that Ukraine has good relations with Trump and that it is unfair that he blames Zelenskyy by changing the narrative. [4]
US Vice President's Update on Peace Negotiations
Vice President JD Vance said that Russia and Ukraine have agreed to resume negotiations but remain too far apart on key issues to reach a peace agreement. [2] This assessment highlights the Trump administration's difficulties in brokering an end to the war. [2]
US Vice President JD Vance says Russia and Ukraine remain far apart on peace deal. — Source: newsmax
India-Poland Joint Position on the Ukraine War
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy speaks about the need for missiles and sanctions against Russia. — Source: ukrainskapravda
India and Poland agreed to double bilateral trade by 2030 and announced dialogue mechanisms for defence industrial collaboration and counterterrorism cooperation. [1] PM Narendra Modi hosted his counterpart Donald Tusk for talks. [1] Modi and Tusk expressed deepest concern in a joint statement over the war in Ukraine, including its tragic humanitarian consequences and the impact on the Global South. [1] Modi assured Tusk that whether it is Ukraine or West Asia, India will continue to support every meaningful effort for peace. [1] Poland views the war in Ukraine as a direct threat to its national security and sovereignty due to its shared border, influx of refugees and the threat of future Russian aggression in eastern Europe. [1] They reiterated the need for a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in line with international law, consistent with the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, including respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity. [1] The leaders also noted the negative impacts of the war on global food and energy security, especially for the Global South. [1]
Broader Diplomatic and Humanitarian Context
Modi and Tusk, the first Polish PM to visit India in 16 years, also backed an MoU under negotiation for cooperation in critical minerals. [1] Modi said the friendship between India and Poland was based not only on diplomatic ties but also on a shared heritage of humanity and empathy. [1] He recalled how, during the Second World War, the royal families of Jamnagar and Kolhapur had provided shelter in India to thousands of Polish children and families. [1] He also thanked Poland for helping India evacuate Indian students from Ukraine shortly after the Russia-Ukraine war began in 2022. [1] Modi said the world was passing through a period of uncertainty and change, and even in such times, both India and Poland were emerging as important hubs of growth, technology and innovation. [1] Today both sides have agreed to deepen ties in defence, space and nuclear energy. [1] In all these strategic sectors, Modi invited Polish companies to engage in co-development and co-production with India. [1] He also announced a startup bridge to facilitate cooperation in IT, Artificial Intelligence and critical technologies. [1] Both India and Poland believe in democratic values and the rule of law, and both sides considered reforms essential to make global governance institutions more empowered. [1] The two countries agreed that the UN needed structural reforms, including expansion of UNSC in both permanent and non-permanent categories, to remain relevant, credible and effective. [1] In the joint statement, Poland expressed support for India’s membership of a more inclusive, reformed and expanded UNSC, as well as its candidature for a non-permanent seat on the council for 2028-29. [1] Modi and Tusk unequivocally condemned terrorism, including cross-border terrorism, and stressed that there could be no justification for terrorism on any grounds. [1] They condemned in the strongest terms the terrorist attack in J&K’s Pahalgam on 22 April, 2025. [1] They called for strong and concerted action against terrorists and terrorist entities, including those designated by the UNSC 1267 sanctions committee. [1] Defence and security cooperation was a major focus, with the leaders underlining importance of an Agreement on Mutual Protection and Exchange of Classified Information and expressing expectation it would be signed soon. [1] They proposed a defence industry dialogue to develop a forward-looking framework for defence industrial cooperation, including business-to-business engagement and, where mutually agreed, partnerships in technology, co-development, co-production and other forms of collaboration. [1]
Humanitarian Situation and Ongoing Monitoring
UNHCR continues to provide operational updates on the situation in Ukraine as of 15 October 2026. [5] These updates form part of broader international monitoring of the war's humanitarian consequences. [1]
What to watch next
Observers will track whether Trump implements the congressional sanctions on Russia and whether Russia and Ukraine narrow their gaps in resumed negotiations.
