Putin proposes Ukraine summit with Trump and Xi, oil falls, deadly fire at Alberta army base
The Wall Street Journal reports Putin proposed a summit with Trump and Xi on Ukraine, oil fell about 2% after Trump paused new Russia sanctions, four soldiers died in a grass fire at CFB Wainwright, Albertans vote today on a path toward separation, and the Rays moved one win from the World Series.
The Wall Street Journal reported Sunday, citing people familiar with the discussions, that Russian President Vladimir Putin proposed a summit next month with President Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping to negotiate an end to the war in Ukraine. The idea was reportedly raised in an Oct. 9 phone call, and the Kremlin suggested the sidelines of the APEC summit in Shenzhen, China, on Nov. 18-19. Ukraine's president would not take part. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed discussions but said there is no clear understanding yet of the meeting or its agenda. A senior U.S. official told the Journal that Trump has not agreed but could be receptive.
The Kremlin saysSpokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed discussions on a possible meeting are taking place but said there is "no clear understanding yet regarding the meeting itself or its potential agenda."
The U.S. saysA senior U.S. official told the WSJ that Trump has not agreed to a summit but could be receptive. Trump wrote that he is "in the process of negotiating Peace" and that he paused sanctions so as not to push Russia away from the table. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said there has been talk of a meeting but he does not know whether it has been finalized.
Ukraine saysPresident Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on NBC's "Meet the Press" that waiving sanctions would strengthen Putin's war effort and that siding with Moscow would be a "historic mistake" for Washington.
Oil prices fell about 2% early Monday after President Trump signed an order pausing broad new U.S. sanctions on Russia, which may keep more Russian energy on the market. AP reported Brent crude down 2.5% to $107.16 a barrel; Reuters had it down 1.8% to around $107. Oil remains well above pre-Iran-war levels, and uncertainty over shipping through the Strait of Hormuz is still pushing prices up. Iran's Revolutionary Guard said late Sunday, via Iranian state media, that another oil tanker hit a mine and caught fire south of the strait; that claim comes from the Guard alone. U.S. stock futures were higher.
Four Canadian Armed Forces members were killed and 39 others hospitalized, 19 in critical condition, after a grass fire swept through a training area at Canadian Forces Base Wainwright in Alberta on Saturday during a live-fire exercise. Maj.-Gen. Rutland, the commanding officer who briefed reporters, said officials knew of the fire for hours and continued training, then the wind shifted when the fire was about a kilometre away: "It is not normal for a fire to move a kilometre in 30 to 60 seconds." The cause is under investigation; National Defence said there were no indications of terrorist activity. Prime Minister Mark Carney called it one of the worst peacetime tragedies for the forces on Canadian soil.
Albertans vote Monday on whether the province should remain in Canada or begin the legal process toward a future referendum on separation. A vote to start that process would not take Alberta out of Canada on Monday. Polls show remaining well ahead; an Angus Reid poll released Oct. 16 put it at 66% to 34%. The separation question is one of 10 on the ballot.
Separatist leaders sayKeith Wilson sees the vote as leverage for negotiating with Ottawa and would accept major structural changes short of independence; Jeff Rath said he would be "thrilled" with more than 30% of the vote.
Opponents sayPrime Minister Mark Carney, who leads the federal unity campaign, says Canada faces "real threats" and must "be strong." Premier Danielle Smith called the vote but supports staying in Canada, saying support for starting the process is "still too high for my liking."
Drew Rasmussen allowed one run on four hits over seven innings as the Tampa Bay Rays beat the Cleveland Guardians 3-1 in Cleveland on Sunday to take a 3-2 lead in the American League Championship Series. Game 6 is Monday at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida, with Game 7, if needed, on Tuesday. The winner faces the National League champion Milwaukee Brewers in the World Series, which starts Friday.
