October 31 — Ukrainian President Zelenskiy met Turkish President Erdogan in Istanbul to discuss the Russia-Ukraine conflict and Black Sea security. At a joint briefing Erdogan said attacks on civilian vessels are unacceptable, warned that actions which escalate tensions in the Black Sea benefit no party, and said Turkey will continue diplomatic engagement to restore safe navigation. Zelenskiy said they discussed the current conflict and upcoming peace talks and agreed to cooperate on the Black S

Axios reported a Qatari mediation team led by diplomat Ali Abdullah Ali Tawadi is meeting in Doha with Iran’s deputy foreign minister. Qatar’s mediators have been in contact with the White House. The US and Iran have not agreed to resume direct talks, and the date for a US delegation to arrive in Doha has not been set.

Protesters have repeatedly interrupted Trump campaign rallies from Wasilla, Alaska to Chillicothe, Ohio. At a Florida rally Friday he opened within 15 minutes by calling them “paid protesters” and saying “we're used to this,” a response he has routinely used when events are disrupted. White House officials say the president enjoys the confrontations; his standard playbook accuses demonstrators of being paid $250, labels them “Soros people,” mocks their appearance and, as law enforcement removes them, asserts their parents are actually his supporters.