Ukraine updates in English

[US7IGN]

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said that there is a high probability, many signs that the russian-Ukrainian war may be suspended in the near future. But this does not change our situation in any way. According to him, Poland must be ready for self-defense regardless of the development of events on the russian-Ukrainian front. Tusk's statement came against the backdrop of pressure from the US president on russia. https://www.bbc.com/ukrainian/articles/cn92xqyj1gno

In a telephone conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Polish President-elect Karol Nawrotski assured that his country would support Ukrainians in their fight against russian aggression. “russia is a neo-imperial and colonial state ruled by the war criminal Vladimir Putin. Therefore, Ukraine, fighting the Kremlin regime, can count on Poland’s support,” Nawrotski said.

However, the key topic of the conversation was “historical politics,” since, according to the Polish President-elect, there are many “important and still unresolved historical issues” in relations between the countries. https://x.com/LeskiewiczRafa/status/1950855052383695289

The head of the Main Intelligence Directorate, Lieutenant General Kyrylo Budanov, gave an interview in which, among other things, he noted that Ukrainians should formulate their own strategic goal.

"We must clearly define it for ourselves: if we do not do this, they will try to impose it on us. So it is better to make our own strategic goal: who we are, where we are going. And then choose the tools that we need to achieve this." https://ua.news/ua/ukraine/gruzinskii-stsenarii-dlia-ukrayini-nemozhlivii-budanov

It seems that he is one of the few people in top positions in Ukraine who thinks and talks about such things, and whose strategy is not limited to the usual formula "steal and run". By the way, in all these years I have never heard him accused of corruption.

Meanwhile, NABU seems to be forced to prove its effectiveness more quickly. The National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office have exposed a large-scale corruption scheme during the procurement of drones and electronic warfare equipment for defense needs. According to law enforcement officials, a number of investigative actions were carried out on August 2, as a result of which four people were detained. Among those detained are the current People's Deputy of Ukraine, heads of district and city military administrations, as well as servicemen of the National Guard.

As noted, the essence of the scheme was to conclude state contracts with supplier enterprises for the purchase of products at knowingly inflated prices. Up to 30% of the contract amount was returned to the members of the criminal group in the form of bribes. https://weukraine.tv/novyny/nabu-i-sap-vikrili-masshtabnu-koruptsiju-pri-zakupivli-bpla-ta-zasobiv-reb/

The drone strikes are still ongoing. On the night of August 2, drones attacked industrial facilities in several regions of russia. An oil refinery in Ryazan, located 200 km south of Moscow, is believed to have been attacked. An electronics factory in Penza was attacked, and the Novokuybyshevsk refinery in Samara Oblast is believed to be on fire.

russia launched 45 drones into Ukraine overnight. Two people were killed in a russian strike on Kherson early Saturday morning, August 2. Residential buildings were shelled there. A hotel was destroyed in a strike on the center of Sloviansk, Donetsk region. https://www.bbc.com/ukrainian/articles/cly7en7zxyyo

Ukraine has launched a massive construction of defensive structures to counter the russian offensive, focusing on anti-tank ditches and barbed wire in the east. Triple fortifications are being created, with infantry building the first line, engineers the second, and civil administrations the third, to stop russian troops. Over 46 billion hryvnias (just over $1 billion) have been allocated for fortifications in 2024, and modern trenches are being adapted to new threats such as drones, with shelters for small groups.
https://www.wsj.com/world/europe/ukraine-defense-construction-russia-war-d72f2d29?mod=europe_news_article_pos4

The water supply situation in the russian-occupied territory of Donetsk region has become critical. Last week, water supply was further reduced there: it is provided only once every three days in Donetsk itself and once every two days in other cities, in particular, in Mariupol. Local residents say that soon there will be no water in the water supply at all. The occupation authorities have started installing water tanks, but they will clearly not be enough for all the people living there, even if they are filled on time. But it is not known where they are going to get water for these tanks. https://www.bbc.com/ukrainian/articles/c5yp5pz1yp7o

[N0TZU]

It seems that Trump’s announcement of moving nuclear submarines, in response to veiled nuclear threats from Moscow, has been successful in tamping down their rhetoric. Reuters reported this today:

"In this case, it is obvious that American submarines are already on combat duty. This is an ongoing process, that’s the first thing," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.

"But in general, of course, we would not want to get involved in such a controversy and would not want to comment on it in any way," he added. "Of course, we believe that everyone should be very, very careful with nuclear rhetoric."

[N0TZU]

I hope that NABU will be able to bring the corrupt officials to justice, meaning trial, conviction, sentenced and actually serving an appropriate punishment. No doubt this will take time and will be difficult in the present corrupted system.

[US7IGN]

putin and Trump's relationship has soured - but behind the posturing, a Ukraine deal is still possible, BBC correspondent Steve Rosenberg believes. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cj4wn1j7w1jo

In a couple of days, the deadline for another ultimatum that Trump gave to putin expires, but it seems that no one believes that Putin will back down. As before, I believe that he, like the rest of the russians, only understands brute force. And in this regard, I am sad that Ukraine has chosen to be a victim whose problems should be solved by someone else. In my opinion, such a position only leads to the fact that you are used as cheaply as possible. I have never heard of anyone taking into account the interests of the weak.

The Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Oleksandr Syrsky, stated at the meeting that the russian leadership aims to form 10 new divisions by the end of the year, two have already been created.

"Therefore, we have no choice but to continue mobilization measures, improve combat training, and strengthen the unmanned component of our troops."
https://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2025/08/5/7524903/

Well, it made it possible to hold back the russians, gradually losing people and territory, but I'm still not sure that this strategy will work in the future. For many years we have been hearing that if not tomorrow, then the day after tomorrow, russia will end, or putin will die, but I have not believed it for a long time.

As long as the West is afraid of nuclear threats and wants to trade with russia (and actually does it), and China has become its reliable strategic partner, russia will not only not become weaker, but will also begin to recover after a certain adaptation to new realities.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that he has appointed Lieutenant General Anatoly Krivonozhko, 60, as commander of the Air Force, which has been without a leader for almost a year.
https://www.bbc.com/ukrainian/articles/cedvl15gq5qo

I don’t know anything about this man, but I find it hard to understand how old men of Soviet origin can make the Ukrainian army capable of defeating the russians. In my opinion, there should be no one older than 45 in the army at all. And it seems the military has found a solution.

The cycle of training Ukrainians for national resistance will begin at the age of 14. After completing their studies in educational institutions, Ukrainians will need to undergo basic military service. This was stated by the acting head of the national resistance policy department of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, Ihor Khort, during a roundtable discussion.
https://novosti-n.org/ua/ukraine/Ukrayincziv-z-14-rokiv-gotuvatymut-do-naczionalnogo-sprotyvu-u-Minoborony-rozkryly-detali-329790

A couple of years ago, everyone condemned the russians who militarized education and involved children in military activity. I have the impression that the Ukrainian authorities are not capable of more than copying what the russians are doing, only with a delay of a couple of years. This concerned forced mobilization, and now children. So don't be surprised if they start leaving Ukraine even earlier.

Young Ukrainian refugees have actually helped Germany avoid falling to critically low levels in terms of the proportion of young people in society, according to a report released on Tuesday, August 5, by the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis). https://www.dw.com/uk/ukrainski-bizenci-vratuvali-demograficnu-situaciu-z-moloddu-v-nimeccini/a-73530357

russian occupation forces on Sunday, August 3, for the second time in two days dropped guided aerial bombs from Su-34s in the area of the bridge in Kherson leading to the Korabel neighborhood. Local authorities are urging residents to leave the area, which is located on an island and has only one bridge connecting it to the rest of the city. https://zn.ua/ukr/war/armija-rf-vdruhe-vluchila-aviabomboju-u-rajon-mostu-v-khersoni-.html

I have been there several times and it pains me to look at the photos that show only ruins left of the beautiful city. The same fate has befallen all other frontline cities.

[KD8ZM-Brady]

There certainly is a lot of information to take in, a lot to process and assess. As an American it's easier for me to assess the US position, than the position of other countries. In that, the US is past the olive branch stage, and from now on we will be dealing with Putin as he actually is, that is to say, a man who will only be forced into peace by a stronger power. The carrot didn't work, and now the stick. It will be very economically costly for the US to impose secondary tariffs on India and China for buying Russian oil, but in my opinion it's the only chance of forcing peace. (Only a chance, not a certainty by any stretch of the imagination).
Praying for peace!

[N0TZU]

There certainly is a lot of information to take in, a lot to process and assess. As an American it's easier for me to assess the US position, than the position of other countries. In that, the US is past the olive branch stage, and from now on we will be dealing with Putin as he actually is, that is to say, a man who will only be forced into peace by a stronger power. The carrot didn't work, and now the stick. It will be very economically costly for the US to impose secondary tariffs on India and China for buying Russian oil, but in my opinion it's the only chance of forcing peace. (Only a chance, not a certainty by any stretch of the imagination).
Praying for peace!

It’s promising, especially because of the embarrassment when Trump finally realized that he was being cynically strung along by Pooty-Poo - and on one of his key promises, no less. Donald doesn’t easily forget nor forgive being slighted.

 Im waiting to hear about more than just extremely high tariffs, because those are unsustainable, especially against China because it would be disaster for the United States economy as well as theirs if used for more than a very brief period, and everyone knows it. As usual, they are probably just an opening negotiation tactic.

There are other tools such as banking system restrictions and more enforcement on “shadow” tankers. These also have limitations and workarounds but can be much more effective than tariffs alone. The key thing is to impose many different types of sanctions at once and stick to them.

[US7IGN]

The main event for Ukrainians in recent days is undoubtedly the talks in Moscow between Trump`s special envoy Steve Witkoff and russian President Vladimir putin.

US President Donald Trump has said there is a "good chance" he could meet the russian and Ukrainian leaders "very soon" for talks in person about ending the war in Ukraine.

The Kremlin earlier issued a vague statement about the talks between putin and Steve Witkoff, with a foreign policy aide saying the two sides had exchanged "signals" as part of "constructive" talks in Moscow.

The meeting came days before Trump's deadline on Friday for russia to agree to a ceasefire in Ukraine, or face new sanctions.

Trump's comments in the Oval Office on Wednesday come after he posted on his Truth Social platform that he had briefed some of America's European allies following the talks.

"Everyone agrees this War must come to a close, and we will work towards that in the days and weeks to come," Trump said.
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cr5rdl1y8ndo

US President Donald Trump will decide on the introduction of secondary sanctions within the next 24 or 36 hours, and a lot has to happen for the meeting of the American leader with Putin to take place. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said this in an interview with Fox News. https://www.foxbusiness.com/video/6376633710112
He believes that the territorial issue is one of the main ones in ending the russian-Ukrainian war. According to him, both Ukraine and russia must make concessions that will become the basis for a lasting ceasefire and a further peace process.

It seems that strategic agreements have already been reached, but for now the war continues. The russians massively attacked the Dnipropetrivsk region with drones at night and are preparing to storm Kherson. https://zn.ua/ukr/war/rosijani-masovano-atakuvali-dronami-dnipropetrovshchinu-najbilshe-distalos-dnipru-ta-krivomu-rohu.html
https://edition.cnn.com/2025/08/06/europe/russian-drones-hunt-civilians-kherson-latam-intl

Tensions in society are also constantly growing. In the Odessa region, a moped driver shot and killed a police officer during a document check. https://sud.ua/uk/news/ukraine/337790-na-odeschine-voditel-mopeda-zastrelil-politseyskogo-vo-vremya-proverki-dokumentov

The lawyer was mobilized while performing his professional duties https://unba.org.ua/news/10614-zahishav-policejs-kih-opinivsya-v-chastini-advokata-mobilizuvali-pid-chas-vikonannya-obovyazkiv.html

The way the government implements mobilization leads to the opposite consequences - a decrease in the country's defense capabilities. And using mobilization as a tool of persecution and punishment generally discredits the idea itself.

One of the most cynical versions describes what is happening as maximum pressure on the population to agree to any terms of a peace agreement, including the renunciation of territories, non-aligned status, and disarmament of Ukraine. Trump will still have to work on putin's latest demand - a change of power in Ukraine.

The history with anti-corruption bodies has shown that the authorities have almost lost contact with reality and the people. Or it believes that war justifies everything and exempts from any responsibility. But part of the population continues to fear that the change of power will lead to defeat in the war. https://www.bbc.com/ukrainian/articles/cwy0pn98k55o

On the other hand, putin made it clear that he would not sign anything with the illegitimate Zelensky. In any case, the political crisis in Ukraine not only highlights the problem of the legitimacy of the authorities, but may also lead to a decrease in external funding, on which Ukraine is critically dependent.

[N0TZU]

I fear that Putin will charm Trump during a personal meeting into a much more favorable outcome for Russia. With Zelensky absent, there will be nobody to forcefully point out that Ukrainian civilians are still being bombed mercilessly and Russian armies are gaining ground.

That Trump said “everyone agrees the war must end” is astonishing. It provides an avenue for Putin to claim (as he does) that he’d really like to end the war as soon as possible, but NATO and the US made him do it, Russia is the victim, and rightly should own half of Europe, he has no choice but to make war, blah blah blah.

Putin keeps increasing his demands. Does that sound like a man who is sick of war and wants to find a way to end it? No. Does it sound like a man who is afraid of consequences from the President of the United States? No.

[US7IGN]

Ukraine is once again struggling to compete for attention on the international stage. Israel has decided to fully occupy Gaza, Armenia is signing a peace agreement with Azerbaijan in the US, not to mention a host of other, undoubtedly important, regional events around the world. But the dynamics of communication between russia and the United States regarding Ukraine have significantly accelerated recently.

The Kremlin said it had agreed to hold a meeting between russian President Vladimir putin and US President Donald Trump in the coming days, putin aide Yuri Ushakov said. https://www.ukrinform.ua/rubric-world/4023078-u-kremli-zaavili-so-ssa-ta-rf-uzgodili-zustric-putina-i-trampa-najblizcimi-dnami.html

But the White House on Thursday pushed back on claims by the Kremlin that a meeting between President Donald Trump and russia's Vladimir putin had been agreed to with a location secured. A White House official told ABC News that no location has been set and that President putin must meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for the meeting with Trump to occur -- something the Kremlin has not been willing to commit to so far. https://abcnews.go.com/International/kremlin-trump-putin-agreed-meeting-coming-days/story?id=124438908

US President Donald Trump is seeking a personal meeting with Kremlin leader Vladimir putin to reach an agreement on a ceasefire in Ukraine, but the positions of the parties remain diametrically opposed: Trump calls for an end to the war without delving into the details of the agreement, while putin is ready to talk only on his own terms. Some American and European analysts fear that putin is only dragging out the negotiations to influence Trump, not to achieve peace, and if the meeting fails, the American president will have to decide whether to increase pressure on Moscow or withdraw from the peace process. This is reported by The Wall Street Journal. https://www.wsj.com/world/russia/trump-putin-russia-ukraine-how-meeting-f9e4ac1e?mod=hp_lead_pos8

Despite the colossal losses and pressure from within, putin is not going to end the war against Ukraine. According to Forbes, he is willing to lose thousands of soldiers every day, considering a slow and bloody advance a “winning” strategy. Despite the pressure at home and catastrophic losses on the front, russian dictator Vladimir putin believes that a protracted ground war in Ukraine gives him the upper hand. https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidhambling/2025/08/07/putin-sees-a-road-to-success-by-fighting-on-despite-heavy-losses/

Donald Trump is trying to end the war in Ukraine, but China is standing in the way of peace. Beijing has an interest in a protracted conflict, as it weakens both russia and the United States at the same time. Beijing is keen to maintain tension between Washington and the Kremlin to prepare for a possible invasion of Taiwan, while increasing imports of russian gas and oil, writes The Telegraph. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/us/comment/2025/08/06/xi-jinping-cant-afford-russia-make-peace-ukraine/

All this shows how complicated and complicated everything is. On the other hand, the existing balance can be easily disturbed by any of the main players, as well as by a "black swan" that can fly onto the "big chessboard". In such conditions, no planning and forecasting makes sense. The only thing that pleases is the good weather and the absence of shelling of Kyiv at this time.

[N0TZU]

Yes, the world is a mess. It wasn’t inevitable however. As Winston Churchill said of the times before the outbreak of WW2, “The malice of the wicked was reinforced by the weakness of the virtuous.”

“The only thing that pleases is the good weather and the absence of shelling of Kyiv at this time.” Good, go out and enjoy it!

It was great to see you and Kate on the call yesterday. You appeared much more relaxed than the previous time. Did I hear correctly that now you are working for yourself (per your plans to do so and contract with your previous employer)?

[US7IGN]

Yes, yesterday we walked for almost two hours by the river. There were a lot of people and you would never guess that there was a war in the country. It seems to me that the psyche adapts and you can’t be constantly under stress. Katya is constantly thinking about how to enter university, although she still needs to study at the lyceum for three more years in conditions of complete uncertainty. I have nothing to tell her. In any case, everything she teaches today will come in handy tomorrow. God always gives us opportunities, but we need to be prepared for them.

As for work, it looks like things haven't gone very well at the company, resulting in a loss of clients and big layoffs. In my case, I can assume that after I launched the project, they expect to finish it without me so as not to pay the bonus. But I’m not upset. Everything we do is not lost in vain and I will still get mine even if it will be from other sources.

President Donald Trump said he’ll be meeting with russian President Vladimir putin next Friday in Alaska after earlier in the day previewing terms of a potential peace deal to end the war in Ukraine that could include “some swapping of territories.” https://edition.cnn.com/2025/08/08/politics/trump-putin-meeting

If Trump meets putin in Alaska, it will be the first time in history that a US president has met with an international criminal on US soil as an equal. Neither Adolf Hitler nor Saddam Hussein had such an honor.

Ukraine is ready to consider a ceasefire along the current front line if it would end the war, but only if it does not allow international recognition of russian control over any occupied territories, The Telegraph reports. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/08/07/ukraine-russia-putin-trump-zelensky/

On Friday, August 8, Chinese leader Xi Jinping held a telephone conversation with russian dictator Vladimir putin. During the conversation, the Chinese leader made a statement regarding the war in Ukraine. According to him, in the Ukrainian situation, there is no simple solution to complex issues, while Beijing welcomes the maintenance of contacts between russia and the United States. This was reported by Chinese media. https://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/3321253/chinas-xi-jinping-holds-phone-call-russias-vladimir-putin

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has expressed the opinion that a freezing russian invasion of Ukraine could happen 'sooner rather than later', The Guardian reports. https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2025/aug/08/trump-putin-deadline-day-russia-ukraine-wildfires-azerbaijan-armenia-latest-updates?CMP=share_btn_url&page=with%3Ablock-6895bfa48f08a0ea4fa1c8b0#block-6895bfa48f08a0ea4fa1c8b0

The head of the Finance Committee of the Verkhovna Rada, Daniil Getmantsev, stated that there are currently no prerequisites for the economic collapse of the russian Federation. On the contrary, the revenues from energy resources and the significant reserves of the russian Federation have allowed the economy to be fully adapted for war. "The russian Federation's economy has been restructured on military rails. It works for defense and is financed by large revenues from energy resources. russia has almost 700 billion dollars in gold and foreign exchange reserves. For comparison: we have 45. And we consider this a large amount," said Getmantsev. https://news.novyny.live/peredumov-dlia-krakhu-ekonomiki-rf-protiagom-roku-nemaie-getmantsev-273015.html

In Volyn, a group of people attacked a service car of the mobilization center and the police. https://www.rbc.ua/rus/news/volini-natovp-napav-avto-ttsk-e-zatrimaniy-1754645232.html

[N0TZU]

“If Trump meets putin in Alaska, it will be the first time in history that a US president has met with an international criminal on US soil as an equal. Neither Adolf Hitler nor Saddam Hussein had such an honor.”

True, and a President who is a convicted felon.

We are living in a funhouse mirror world.

[KD8ZM-Brady]

Neither Adolf Hitler nor Saddam Hussein had nuclear weapons, and certainly not 6,000 of them, so, there's really no comparison to be made. I hope they can hammer something out to stop the killing as permanently as possible. Ukraine will have to give up territory but if there is a military mechanism for enforcing peace in the future (which is critical), it will be worth it, in my view.  As Karrass used to remind us, "we don't get what we deserve, we get what we negotiate" and Z is in a very weak negotiating position. Those providing the aid will make the final decisions, not Zelensky, I think we all recognize that fact.

[N0TZU]

The comparison is not about military might, it’s about morality. Putin is a monster and there is an arrest warrant from the ICC on his head for war crimes. He should never have the honor of being hosted by our President, let alone within our borders.

Obviously Zelensky is in a weak position. However I do not believe that Trump will negotiate as hard as he ought to for Ukraine. Part of his motivation for negotiating toward peace in this and some other conflicts is to win a Nobel Peace Prize which compromises whatever commitment or responsibility he may feel toward Ukraine.


 

[US7IGN]

In politics and business, there is usually no morality, only interests.

In recent days, it has been relatively quiet in the air in Kyiv, and some associate it with preparations for Trump's talks with putin, some with the success of Ukrainian attacks on drone production facilities, and some believe that the russians are simply accumulating drones again for a massive attack. Apparently, all factors are acting simultaneously, but yesterday there was alarming news from the front, which in some places the russians seem to have already broken through.

On the night of August 12, russian occupiers launched a missile strike on the territory of one of the training units of the Ground Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. There are reports of deaths and injuries. https://www.unian.ua/war/rf-vdarila-po-navchalnomu-centru-zsu-ye-zagibliy-ta-poraneni-13094919.html?utm_source=ukrnet_news

Currently, the pace of construction of the ammunition plant in Ukraine is not progressing as quickly as we would like, Rheinmetall CEO Armin Papperger said during the presentation of the company's six-month report. Rheinmetall's German plant in Unterlüsse, with a capacity of 350,000 shells per year, is already being prepared for technical launch, while the Ukrainian one is still under construction.

"The first contract from the Ukrainian side has been signed. So far, I am dissatisfied with the pace of work, but the reason is not only ours. You know, we are building a new plant - and in Ukraine we started at about the same time as in Germany. In Germany we are already ready, but in Ukraine we are not yet. Unfortunately, the level of bureaucracy in Ukraine is very high, and I am not happy about that," he said. https://censor.net/ua/n3568197

But most of the attention is focused on Trump's alleged talks with putin. And it seems that these people put their personal interests first, not the interests of the countries they represent.

The United States is ending funding for weapons that Ukraine receives for the war against the aggressor country russia. This was stated by US Vice President J.D. Vance in an interview with Fox News, published on August 10. Commenting on the reaction of a number of European leaders to the peace talks, Vance criticized them for not being, in his opinion, "active" enough during the war. According to him, they were directly telling the Europeans that this was behind them and that they should be active and take on a greater role in this matter. And that they should be ready to play a more direct and significant role in financing this war themselves. https://www.foxnews.com/video/6376764434112

According to the New York Times, after almost losing Trump, putin gets his ideal summit. For President Vladimir V. putin of russia, it is an opportunity not just to end the Ukraine war on his terms, but to split apart the Western security alliance.

“There’ll be some swapping of territories to the betterment of both.” Mr. Trump said Friday. By speaking a language Mr. Trump understands — the language of real estate — Mr. putin secured something he had been seeking ever since January: a one-on-one meeting with the U.S. leader, without Mr. Zelensky present, to make his case and cut a deal.
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/10/world/europe/ukraine-trump-putin-summit.html

The New York Times also reports, Dmitri N. Kozak, who has said privately that the invasion was a mistake, has lost power to another senior putin ally, Sergei V. Kiriyenko, who has embraced the military action. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/10/world/europe/putin-russia-ukraine-war-dmitri-kozak.html

US President Donald Trump has said he will try to get some territory back for Ukraine during his meeting with russian President Vladimir putin on Friday. "russia's occupied a big portion of Ukraine. They occupied prime territory. We're going to try to get some of that territory back for Ukraine," he told a news conference. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c0e99yqv332o

But it seems that Trump's words are not something to be taken at face value. The sanctions that Trump threatened russia with are no longer mentioned, and putin is now in the best shape he has been since the invasion in 2022.

According to the The Telegraph, Ukraine could agree to stop fighting and cede territory already held by russia as part of a European-backed plan for peace.

Volodymyr Zelensky told European leaders that they must reject any settlement proposed by Donald Trump in which Ukraine gives up further territory – but that russia could be allowed to retain some of the land it has taken. This would mean freezing the front line where it is and handing russia de facto control of the territory it occupies in Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, Kherson regions and Crimea. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/08/11/ukraine-prepared-freeze-war-current-frontline-summit/

US-russian economic cooperation in the Arctic could form the basis of a future agreement between Trump and putin to end the war in Ukraine, according to an article by international lawyer James Tidmarsh for The Spectator. https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/could-the-arctic-be-key-to-ending-the-ukraine-war/

According to the Bloomberg putin is about to outplay Trump again in Alaska. Talking to foes is a great idea, but successful summits demand a lot more preparation. https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/articles/2025-08-12/alaska-summit-putin-is-about-to-outplay-trump-again-on-ukraine?srnd=homepage-europe