Ukraine Agrees to Protect Kazakhstan Oil Exports via Black Sea 
Russian Strikes on Ukraine Kill Six, Wound Dozens in Balakliia and Sumy 
Mark Carney Jokes About Teleprompter, Takes Swipe at Trump 
Germany Warns of Daily Hybrid Warfare Threats 
US Expects Iran-Oman Hormuz Shipping Deal Soon 
Abdul El-Sayed Wins Michigan Democratic Senate Primary, Sets Up Key Midterm Showdown 
Trump Faces Tough Choices as Iran War Drags On 
Colombia President Abelardo De La Espriella Pledges Drug Crackdown, Economic Reforms 
Taiwan President Lai Oversees Coastal Strike Drills in Han Kuang War Games 
Trump Orders Probe Into Pentagon Munitions Stockpile Leaks After Iran Conflict 
Trump Unveils $3 Billion U.S. Critical Minerals Push 
Rubio, UK’s Miliband Stress Stronger European Security Role in Washington Talks 
Canada, US Hold Constructive Trade Talks as Tariff Negotiations Continue 
U.S. Unseals Charges Against Five Alleged CJNG Leaders, Raises Reward for New Cartel Chief 
Bezalel Smotrich Faces Election Battle as Israel’s Far-Right Vote Fractures 
US-Backed Venezuela Government, Opposition Talks Begin 
Zelensky Urges Faster NATO Action on Air Defense Missiles 
Recently, Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke about his US counterpart Joe Biden as both countries appear to maintain civil ties despite tensions in other aspects. Putin recently said that there is potential for Russia and the US to work together on several key issues.
Speaking at a recent energy conference, Putin touched on the working relationship he had established with Biden, saying that there is a potential for Russia to be able to work with the US on a range of issues. The Russian leader said that the country was ready for constructive discussions on arms control and added that both the US and Russia also had mutual interests in combating tax havens, fighting terrorism and money laundering, and stabilizing the energy markets.
“These...will definitely lead one way or another to our relations being repaired, and the US political establishment will stop speculating on US-Russian relations to the detriment of its own interests and those of its companies,” said the Russian leader, referring to the sanctions the US placed on Exxon Mobile to abandon contracts in Russia.
Putin also said that his working relationship with Biden and his administration was stable and constructive. This is despite the failed consensus from the discussions held by Biden’s Undersecretary of State Victoria Nuland with officials from the Kremlin over the size and operations of each other’s respective embassies. Nuland said Wednesday that the discussions with Kremlin officials were productive and that the US seeks to have a stable and predictable relationship with Russia.
In other news, Biden is set to meet with Pope Francis at the Vatican on October 29, as announced by the White House Thursday. The meeting will take place ahead of the G20 Summit in Rome from October 30 to 31. From the G20 Summit in Rome, Biden will then travel to Glasgow, Scotland for the COP26 Climate Change Summit.
“They will discuss working together on efforts grounded in respect for fundamental human dignity, including ending the COVID-19 pandemic, tackling the climate crisis, and caring for the poor,” said the White House in a statement.
Biden is the second Catholic US president, following John F. Kennedy.
