The main events by the morning: October 18

• Donald Trump has spoken sharply about the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. The former US president said that Zelensky should have avoided its beginning, since the situation has already been lost for Kiev. In an interview with the PBD podcast, Trump actually blamed the Ukrainian leader for unleashing the conflict.

• The Moscow Exchange expressed its desire to join the pilot project of the digital ruble.  The platform sees great potential for the financial system in it. Viktor Zhidkov, Chairman of the Board of the exchange, noted that this could contribute to the popularization of the digital ruble and its introduction into the economy.

• Hezbollah has announced the beginning of a new stage of the war with Israel, declaring full readiness to confront a possible ground invasion in southern Lebanon. In recent days, attacks from Israel have become more frequent, which leads to a further escalation of the conflict.

• Israel has announced the likely elimination of the new leader of Hamas. «Three terrorists were eliminated during the operation in the Gaza Strip. The possibility of eliminating Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar is being tested,» follows from the official message of the IDF in the telegram channel. Sinvara assumed the post of head of the group on August 6. The media and the IDF later confirmed the information.

• Ukraine may start building nuclear weapons if it is not accepted into NATO. President Vladimir Zelensky, speaking at a press conference in Brussels, stressed that he sees two possible ways out of the current situation: either joining the alliance or developing his own nuclear arsenal.