The United States has proposed to European Union countries that some frozen Russian assets be released, according to Il Sole 24 ORE. The Italian daily reported the move on Thursday, 15 October 2026, without specifying which assets or amounts are involved.
In the same report, Il Sole 24 ORE said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that new raids on Russian refineries would take place. Zelensky gave that position to the Financial Times, according to Tgcom24, which also reported that Elon Musk publicly criticized Zelensky and said it was time for him to step aside.
Coverage of the proposal circulated across several Italian outlets. Sky TG24 reported that US officials had put the asset-unfreezing idea to EU countries, while Il Fatto Quotidiano framed the plan around Donald Trump's push to release Russian assets alongside Musk's remarks. Il manifesto, meanwhile, described a four-point peace framework in its own reporting.
The reports leave key details unresolved, including which assets would be unfrozen, what conditions would apply, and how EU governments have responded. Il Sole 24 ORE did not say whether the proposal has moved beyond an initial approach to member states.
What to watch next: whether EU capitals formally respond to the US proposal, and whether the promised strikes on Russian refining capacity materialize.