Chris Weafer, CEO at Macro Advisory, says Trump is keen to re-engage with Russia and that initial elements of a Ukraine ceasefire deal already appear to have been agreed.

Budapest

Russian forces have invaded Ukraine from land, air and sea with strikes causing widespread damage. Global leaders have condemned the move and imposed sanctions.

Ukraine Invasion

US President Donald Trump has announced plans to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Budapest, following what he described as a productive phone call. The announcement comes as Trump is also scheduled to host Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House, raising questions about future US support for Ukraine.

Analyst Chris Weaver of Macro Advisory noted that there appears to be increased dialogue between US and Russian officials, suggesting a possible deal is being discussed. Weaver indicated that Trump is keen to avoid new sanctions on Russia and may push Ukraine to consider negotiations. Meanwhile, the European Commission is preparing for increased defense spending, reflecting broader concerns about regional security.

Analyst: Trump wants Russia deal ahead of Putin meeting in Budapest

The president of the United States Donald Trump has announced he will meet his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin in Budapest hailing a very productive phone call between the leaders. The surprise announcement comes the US after as the US leader prepares to host the Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House later today and potentially puts into question fresh US support for Kyiv. Now the US leader has floated supplying Ukraine with long-range Tomahawk missiles a weapon capable of hitting Moscow. However he appeared to cast doubt on the prospect yesterday following his call with President Putin. Let's discuss what's going on here with our next guest Chris Whiffer CEO for Macro Advisory. Chris good morning and thank you for being with us on this Friday morning. Just what do you think is different this time around in terms of the summit that we witnessed between President Trump and Putin in Alaska and now the plans to meet up once again in Hungary? Well I think if we look at say the headlines you know there's very little reason for any optimism it appears there's not a lot going on the war continues etc but when you drill down and you listen listen to what you know senior officials in Washington or Moscow have been saying before Alaska and since Alaska it's quite clear that there is a much more active dialogue taking place between senior officials in in both capitals. It gives credence to if you like the view that in Alaska a President Trump and President Alaska it like to put it one way they cut a deal. It appears as if there is some deal has been agreed between Washington and Moscow over perhaps a timeline over objectives but it's pretty clear that Washington wants or President Trump perhaps more particularly wants to do a deal with Moscow. He does not want as he said yesterday he does not want to impose any new sanctions. He does not want to ruin any chances of rebuilding relationship with Moscow. He wants to engage with Russia long term and it does appear as if there is at least some substantial bones of a deal on the tables now being discussed and I would expect that to advance further at the summit in Budapest and now to feel like Trump has achieved what he wants in Gaza whether it you know however that goes but he has achieved what he wants now his attention is turning firmly to Ukraine. So what kind of expectations do you have for today's meeting at the White House because earlier in the week the suggestion was that we might get further support from the US towards Ukraine perhaps more Tomahawk missiles even but that prospect has now diminished. So what do you think is going to happen later today? Yeah you're right and President Trump is clearly stages that the Tomahawks are off the table for now. What I would expect is that President Trump will on the one hand you know continue giving a commitment of support for Ukraine but I would expect this meeting to be more like the one you know with the earlier meeting that was quite contentious where President Trump and Vice President Vance were lecturing President Zelensky. I would expect this meeting to be more like that in other words telling President Zelensky that he's got to be realistic that he's got to let you know look at what deals are on the table and move it forward. Now at the same time that's not to say the President Trump you know has turned sides and is entirely pro-Moscow. I would expect we will see a ratcheting up of threats and of incentives in other words of easing sanctions to Moscow over the next couple of weeks. This is very much Trump's modus operandi. It's a mixture of threats and and sanctions but I would expect that he will push President Zelensky to be more accommodating for more open for talks but at the same time I'm expecting making threats to Moscow if they don't cooperate. So continuing this process. Yeah let's see what the commentary will be later today once their meeting is over at the White House. I would also like to get briefly your comments on what we have heard from the European Commission yesterday. They've put together a plan to be prepared for war over the next five years. Is this enough when you think about the timeline of five years? Look I mean at this point in time there really is no way to to assess that. What we do know is that Europe is going to or is planning to increase defense spending in a number of areas. You know Moscow's position is that this has always been about Kiev and about NATO expansion in Ukraine and nothing else. It really you know obviously geopolitics is difficult to call beyond the medium term but we are certainly I think it's quite clear we are entering entering a period or have entered a period where defense spending in Europe and around and concerning Europe is going up and that's got to be dangerous long term. Chris thank you so much for joining us this morning. Chris Weaver CEO for Macro Advisory and of course we'll be following very closely the developments at the White House later today.

The Trump administration is awaiting word from the Supreme Court after asking it to allow the immediate deployment of National Guard troops to Illinois to protect Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers. A lower court blocked the move.

Portland

Tensions rising in Portland, Oregon over immigration tactics

President Trump posted a video of a U.S. military strike on a submersible suspected of smuggling drugs. Two people were killed in the strike but the survivors were brought to a Navy ship. Trump says the U.S. will send the them back to their home countries for prosecution.

Washington

Trump says survivors of U.S. drug submersible will be sent home

The U.S. State Department issued a warning that Hamas appeared to be planning an attack 'against Palestinian civilians,' warning that such an attack would 'constitute a direct and grave violation of the ceasefire agreement'.

Tel Aviv-Yafo

Middle East Conflict

State Dept. flags ceasefire violation by Hamas

Britain's Prince Andrew said on Friday he would give up using his title of Duke of York following years of criticism about his behavior and connections to the late U.S. sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Windsor

Prince Andrew gives up title of Duke of York

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy came to the White House on Friday looking for weapons to keep fighting his country's war with Russia, but met an American president who appears more intent on brokering a peace deal than upgrading Kyiv’s arsenal.

Trump pauses on sending Tomahawks to Ukraine

Tension is rising between the U.S and Venezuela. The latest threats from the US warning of stronger measures against Nicolas Maduro’s government — have sparked both fear and fragile hope across Venezuela.

Caracas

Venezuela on high-alert amid U.S strikes

In the aftermath of a destructive Typhoon Halong, historic floodwaters have destroyed remote communities across western Alaska, forcing hundreds of evacuations that could continue for days.

Kipnuk

Mass evacuations in Alaska after record floodwaters

Mr. Trump seemed open to trading U.S.-made Tomahawk's for Ukrainian-made drones, but then he argued Ukraine might not even need new weapons if he can broker a swift end to the invasion.

Trump says he'd rather broker peace than send Tomahawks to Ukraine

President Trump announced that he has commuted former New York Rep. George Santos' sentence on Friday in a post on his social media platform Truth Social.

President Trump commutes George Santos' sentence

The head of the World Trade Organization said on Thursday (October 16) she is urging the U.S. and China to de-escalate trade tensions, warning that a decoupling between the world's two largest economies could reduce global economic output by 7% over the longer-term.

WTO urges U.S., China to ease trade war or risk global growth

John Bolton pleaded not guilty at a Maryland federal court on Friday (October 17). This comes after the former Trump administration national security adviser was indicted on 18 counts for his alleged mishandling of classified information.

Greenbelt

John Bolton pleads not guilty to criminal charges

Buckingham Palace announced Friday that Prince Andrew is giving up his royal titles. This comes after a posthumous memoir by Jeffrey Epstein accuser Virginia Roberts Giuffre emerged.

London

Prince Andrew giving up his royal titles, Buckingham Palace says

U.S. President Donald Trump is meeting at the White House with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy Friday as the war between Russia and Ukraine continues. On Thursday, Trump spent more than two hours on the phone with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Trump set to meet with Zelenskyy

Ahead of a meeting with Ukrainian President Zelensky, Trump cast doubt on supplying Tomahawk missiles to Kyiv, citing U.S. stock concerns. He also discussed the issue with Russian President Putin, who opposed the idea, raising questions about future Ukraine aid.

Trump questions sending Tomahawks to Ukraine after Putin call

At least one person was killed and dozens of police officers injured in widespread protests overnight in Peru against President Jose Jeri, who assumed power just days ago. The government will declare a state of emergency in Lima within hours and is preparing a package of measures to tackle rising insecurity.

Lima

Peru to impose state of emergency after violent clashes

The espionage case against Christopher Berry and Christopher Cash collapsed after government officials refused to testify under oath that China posed a threat to national security.

MI5 chief warns China a ‘daily threat’ after spy case collapse

NATO is increasing its capabilities on its eastern flank after recent Russian drone incursions. At the same time the EU has announced a major defence policy roadmap aimed at deterring threats from Russia.

Šiauliai

NATO, EU step up defences to deter Russia

The U.S. military flew three B-52 bombers on missions near the coast of Venezuela, according to a Global Strike Command spokesperson and a U.S. official, as the Trump administration continues to exert pressure on Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro's government.

U.S. flies B-52 bombers off the coast of Venezuela

A federal judge overturned a Homeland Security decision to cut anti-terrorism funding for New York City. The ruling comes as the Trump administration faces lawsuits from Democratic governors over similar cuts.

New York

Judge blocks Trump cuts to New York City's anti-terrorism funds

China has accused the U.S. of stoking panic over its rare earth controls and said Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent had made "grossly distorted" remarks about a top Chinese trade negotiator, rejecting a White House call to roll back the curbs.

Beijing

Global Tariffs

China blames U.S. for global panic over rare earths controls

U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday said he had a "productive" phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin and announced plans for a meeting with Putin in Hungary.

Trump says he plans to meet with Putin in Hungary

Israel said it was preparing for the reopening of Gaza's Rafah crossing with Egypt but set no date as it traded blame with Hamas over violations of the ceasefire. A row over the return of bodies of hostages from Gaza retains the potential to upend the truce.

Jerusalem

Netanyahu says fight with Hamas 'not over yet'

Tumultuous scenes unfolded during the public viewing of late Kenyan Prime Minister Ralia Odinga's body. The 80-year-old's coffin was on its way to a Nairobi stadium when security forces fired tear gas and gunshots into the crowds. At least two people have reportedly been killed.

Nairobi

Kenyan police open fire at mourners at Odinga public viewing

Pakistan and Afghanistan agreed to a temporary ceasefire on Wednesday after airstrikes and ground fighting ramped up tensions between the South Asian neighbors, leaving more than a dozen civilians dead and 100 wounded.

Balochistan

Pakistan, Afghanistan agree temporary truce after fresh fighting

U.S. President Trump confirmed CIA covert operations in Venezuela during a press conference in the Oval Office on Wednesday. CBS News' Ed O'Keefe asked Trump about what that means for Nicolás Maduro.

Trump authorizes CIA covert operations in Venezuela

Israel is still limiting the number of aid trucks allowed to enter Gaza nearly a week after a ceasefire deal was agreed. It’s told the United Nations will only allow 300 per day - that's half the minimum number agreed under the truce.
The UN says even 600 trucks entering daily would not be enough to meet the needs of the population.

Gaza ceasefire fears as Israel limits aid trucks to less than agreed

President Trump confirmed that he has authorised the CIA to go into Venezuela and conduct covert operations.

Trump says he authorised covert CIA operations in Venezuela

Hamas is back on the streets of Gaza in an attempt, it says, to restore law and order -- and to send a message.

Hamas executes Palestinians accused of collaborating with Israel

A federal judge in Oregon has extended temporary restraining orders that block the Trump administration from deploying National Guard troops to Portland. Meanwhile, federal agents in Chicago used tear gas to disperse a crowd after a car chase ended in a crash.

Chicago

Federal agents deploy tear gas in Chicago despite court order

A federal judge on Wednesday temporarily ordered the Trump administration to halt the firing of workers during the government shutdown.

Analyst: Trump wants Russia deal ahead of Putin meeting in Budapest

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Ukraine Invasion