18 October: Russia's leading opinion pollster VTsIOM said that half of Russians are expecting stagnation in the country and have not decided yet whom to vote for during the coming parliamentary election.(Kommersant)

Borrell underlined that the European Union will make every effort to support the peace process and to remain a committed partner to the Afghan people. "Of course, we will have to take into account the evolving situation, but disengagement is not an option.  We are clear on that: there is no alternative to a negotiated political settlement, through inclusive peace talks.