Ukraine Invasion: Part 58

[MagicFox]

We’re all still here for Thread 58. Thanks to all regular contributors, especially those doing the daily hard work. Slava Ukraini 🇺🇦

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I was wrong about Putin wanting a cease fire for time. Looks like he's been given a free pass to carry on without sanctions instead. He's even demanding all Western sanctions are lifted.
To give Putin that welcome, Trump must have already known the outcome from lead up conversations.
As sickening as it was, I'm even more sickened by how Putin is admired by so many in our country.

Zelenskyy is meeting Trumputin at the WH on Monday

Kyiv Independent Telegram Highlights

⚡️'Clearly 1:0 to Putin' — European officials (kyivindependent.com/clearly-1-0-to-putin-european-officials-react-to-alaska-summit/) react to Alaska Summit.

⚡️Trump says he and Putin ‘largely agreed’ on land swaps (kyivindependent.com/trump-says-he-and-putin-largely-agreed-on-land-swaps-security-guarantees-for-ukraine/), security guarantees for Ukraine.
"I think we're pretty close to a deal," Trump told Fox News, adding: "Ukraine has to agree to it. Maybe they'll say no."

⚡️Zelensky, Trump to meet in Washington next week (kyivindependent.com/zelensky-trump-to-meet-in-washington-next-week-to-discuss-ending-russias-war-in-ukraine/) to discuss ending Russia's war in Ukraine.

⚡️'We didn't get there' — Trump, Putin fail (https://kyivindependent.com/we-didnt-get-there-trump-putin-fail-to-reach-a-deal-to-end-war-in-ukraine/) to reach deal to end war in Ukraine.
The summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin concluded without an agreement to end the war in Ukraine, Trump said during a press conference alongside Putin at the end of their summit.
"We didn't get there, but we have a very good chance of getting there," Trump said. "A couple of big ones that we haven’t quite gotten there, but we’ve made some headway. So there’s no deal until there’s a deal."

⚡️'A 10' — Trump gushes about meeting with Putin (kyivindependent.com/a-10-trump-gushes-about-meeting-with-putin-after-alaska-summit-fails-to-win-ceasefire-in-ukraine/) after Alaska summit fails to win ceasefire in Ukraine.
After speaking with Putin, Trump said he didn't think sanctions on Russia were a necessary measure — despite the lack of ceasefire.

Editorial: That meeting was sickening. Putin loved it. (kyivindependent.com/editorial-that-was-sickening-was-it-necessary/)
"Ukraine’s president endured a public shaming. Russia’s was pampered. Both episodes were disgraceful," the Kyiv Independent writes after U.S. President Donald Trump's Alaska Summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

⚡️Trump, Lukashenko hold phone call (kyivindependent.com/trump-putin-set-to-discuss-russia-ukraine-war-at-high-stakes-alaska-summit/) ahead of high-stakes Putin summit in Alaska.

⚡️EU may advance (kyivindependent.com/eu-may-give-moldova-membership-boost-ahead-of-ukraine-politico-reports/) Moldova's membership bid in September separately from Ukraine, Politico reports.

⚡️ Russian strike hits central Sumy (kyivindependent.com/russian-strike-hits-central-sumy-ahead-of-trump-putin-talks/) just hours before Trump-Putin summit.

⚡️Update: Russia launches attacks (kyivindependent.com/trump-putin-set-to-discuss-russia-ukraine-war-at-high-stakes-alaska-summit/) targeting Ukraine's eastern regions as Trump-Putin meeting continues.

⚡️ Russian propaganda in occupied territories accuses Ukraine, West of 'provocations' during Alaska talks (kyivindependent.com/russia-spreads-propaganda-in-occupied-territories-accuses-ukraine-west-of-provocations/), monitors say.

⚡️ Ukrainian unit claims Pokrovsk cleared (kyivindependent.com/ukraine-clears-pokrovsk-of-russian-saboteurs-military-says/) of Russian saboteurs.
The corps claimed that Ukrainian units are operating inside the city, and civilians can move about, though travel within Pokrovsk remains heavily restricted. It is still possible to reach the city, the statement added.

⚡️Half of Starlink terminals sent to Ukraine found (kyivindependent.com/nearly-half-of-usaid-starlink-terminals-sent-to-ukraine-found-in-russian-occupied-areas-inspector-general-says/) in Russian-occupied areas, US agency says.
Nearly half of the active Starlink satellite terminals supplied to Ukraine have ended up in territories fully or partially occupied by Russia, raising concerns about potential misuse, according to a report by the U.S. Office of Inspector General.

⚡️Explosion at Russian gunpowder plant leaves (kyivindependent.com/explosion-at-russian-gunpowder-plant-leaves-5-dead-20-injured/) 5 dead, 20 injured, media reports.
Russian officials have not named the cause of the explosion, but preliminary accounts reported by Russian media point to possible safety violations in the workshop.

⚡️Major decision maker at Ukraine's central bank resigns (kyivindependent.com/ukraine-central-bank-deputy-steps-down-after-decade-in-key-role/) after decade in key role
Kateryna Rozhkova, one of the heavyweights in charge of the National Bank of Ukraine, has stepped down, the bank said in a statement on Aug. 15.
Rozhkova, who started working at the central bank in 2015, has frequently spoken out in favor of the bank’s independence from the executive branch and was one of the few top officials not controlled by the President’s Office.
She has played a key role in reforming Ukraine’s banking sector in accordance with Western standards. Rozhkova is also widely credited as the key figure behind the 2016 nationalization of PrivatBank, which belonged to oligarch Ihor Kolomoisky.

⚡️ 120,000 Ukrainians in US at risk of deportation (kyivindependent.com/120-000-ukrainians-in-us-at-risk-of-deportation-as-biden-era-program-lapses/) as Biden-era program lapses, WSJ reports.
The issue concerns refugees who have lived in the country since Aug. 16, 2023, under the Uniting for Ukraine program, devised by the Biden administration to allow Ukrainians to stay in the country on humanitarian parole.

PayPal, WhatsApp, Grammarly — 10 global companies you didn't know have Ukrainian roots (kyivindependent.com/paypal-whatsapp-grammarly-10-global-companies-you-didnt-know-have-ukrainian-roots/)
It's a fact little known around the world: Some of the biggest names in tech were founded by Ukrainian-born entrepreneurs, including PayPal, WhatsApp, and Grammarly.

⚡️Melania Trump wrote letter to Putin about kidnapped Ukrainian children (kyivindependent.com/reuters-melania-trump-wrote-letter-to-putin-about-kidnapped-ukrainian-children/), Reuters reports.
Trump handed the letter to Putin during the two leaders' nearly three-hour meeting on Aug. 15, two White House officials told Reuters.

⚡️New York museum asks (kyivindependent.com/new-york-museum-asks-bondi-to-arrest-putin-during-alaska-visit/) Bondi to arrest Putin during Alaska visit.
Beka Museum urged immediate action, highlighting Russian President Vladimir Putin's role in the forced deportation of Ukrainian children and other atrocities committed under his rule.

⚡️ Update: Clinton says she’d consider Nobel nomination (kyivindependent.com/trump-putin-set-to-discuss-russia-ukraine-war-at-high-stakes-alaska-summit/) for Trump if he secures just peace in Ukraine.

‪Ragnar Bjartur Gudmundsson 🇺🇦‬ ‪@ragnarbjartur.bsky.social‬
· 2h
⚡️ WAR IN UKRAINE & RUSSIA — AUG 16, 2025
■ 🇷🇺 forces encircled north of Pokrovsk; casualties & equipment losses both above average
■ Overnight attacks remain above average but interception rate improved
■ Strike ratio in low double digits

UNITED24 Media Telegram Highlights

❗️❗️We decided that we need to end the war, not establish a temporary truce, — Trump

❗️Trump said that the agreement on Ukraine “now depends on Zelenskyy”
▪️We almost reached an agreement. Now listen, Ukraine has to agree. Maybe they will say “no”.
▪️Zelenskyy has to accept the fact that he has a lot to lose in a conflict with Russia.
▪️Now they are going to organize a meeting “between Zelenskyy, Putin and me”.
▪️”Make a deal. Russia is a very big force, unlike Ukraine.”
▪️Trump refused to say what the points of agreement and disagreement are after his meeting with Putin.
▪️Russia has a large nuclear potential “and this must be taken into account”.
▪️There is a “very good chance” of reaching an agreement on Ukraine.

On the night of the Alaska summit, the Russians attacked Ukraine with an Iskander-M ballistic missile and 85 Shaheds and drone simulators — Air Force.
Frontline areas of Sumy, Donetsk, Chernihiv, and Dnipropetrovsk regions were targeted.
Missile impacts and 24 UAV strikes were recorded at 12 locations. Ukrainian air defense shot down 61 enemy drones.

🤦‍♂️Putin said that Russia and Ukraine are brotherly nations and that, for him, the war is a great pain.

Ukraine received the remains of 6,057 fallen soldiers in June 2025—the largest return of bodies since the full-scale Russian invasion began. Many arrived without names, just numbers. Behind each one may be a family, still waiting and hoping. Across the country, DNA specialists are racing against time to restore identities.
Read more: united24media.com/life-in-ukraine/inside-ukraines-dna-search-reuniting-fallen-heroes-with-their-families-10791

Sony has formally ended its presence in Russia, dissolving its local subsidiary, Sony Mobile Communications Rus, on August 11, according to the Unified State Register of Legal Entities.
The Japanese technology company had operated in Russia since 2006, marking an 18-year presence. Liquidation documents were submitted to the Federal Tax Service in October 2024, following an earlier unsuccessful attempt to close the business in 2023. In its final years, the subsidiary primarily sold remaining stock and provided device servicing.
Read more: https://united24media.com/latest-news/sony-closes-all-operations-in-russia-after-18-years-ending-playstation-music-and-film-presence-10728

The White House announced a change in the negotiations with Russia — they will now be held in a “three-on-three” format. The American side will be represented by President Trump, Secretary of State Rubio, and Special Representative Witkoff.
Earlier, it was reported that the meeting between Trump and Putin would take place in a “tête-à-tête” format.

The White House published a joint photo of Trump and Putin with the caption “Pursuing Peace.”

Kyiv Post Telegram Highlights

Zelensky held a phone call with Trump. At first, they spoke one-on-one for about an hour. Afterwards, European leaders joined, and the conversation lasted another half hour.
On Monday, the President of Ukraine will be in Washington, where details on ending the war will be discussed.

Ukraine’s security must, without question, be ensured, and we are ready to work on this — Putin

All root causes of “Ukraine’s crisis” must be eliminated — Putin

Putin confirmed that if Trump had been president in 2022, the war would not have happened.

We have a decent chance to achieve peace. We haven’t reached it yet. But I am grateful to Putin and his team — Trump

Trump, speaking aboard Air Force One, said he believes Russia wants to do business with the US — (www.kyivpost.com/post/58212) but made it clear this would only be possible once the war ends.

Even if Putin wanted to negotiate a peace in good faith – which does not appear to be the case – the momentum of war inside Russia portends (www.kyivpost.com/opinion/58172) turmoil once the soldiers come home.

🎙️ A new episode of Off the Record is live!
Join Natalka Cmoc for a farewell conversation with Norway’s Ambassador to Ukraine, Helena Sand Anderson. She shares her experiences in conflict zones, reflects on Ukraine’s resilience, and talks about the fight to return POWs, civilian detainees, and stolen children with #BringKidsBack.

Live: Ukraine Telegram Highlights

Putin prefers a comprehensive agreement to end the war and does not want a ceasefire, Trump told Zelenskyy and NATO leaders during their call.

Ukraine’s Defense Forces have repelled Russian troops near Rubizhne, Zolote Kolodyaz, Vesely, Vilne, Shakhove, Nikanorivka, and Sukhietske, according to DeepState.

⛽️ European gas prices have dropped close to their lowest levels ahead of the Trump–Putin meeting.
Gas futures traded in Amsterdam have fallen by roughly 10% since the start of the month, reaching their lowest point since May on August 15.
Ahead of the Trump–Putin talks, Dutch month-ahead gas futures — Europe’s benchmark — fell 1.4% to €31.70 as of 09:55 in Amsterdam.

Awful.

The enemy President met the enemy President in Russia's temporarily occupied territory of Alaska and...

...

Although I despise Trump I hold out half a hope that sometimes he means what he says and that like a lucky roll of the dice something might come from what he does.

He should defect.

...

Wanting Alaska back is a running Russian thing. Like turning up to a summit wearing a CCCP t-shirt.

Joint statement on Ukraine talks from UK, France, Germany, Italy, Poland the EU
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/statement-by-president-macron-prime-minister-meloni-chancellor-merz-prime-minister-starmer-president-stubb-prime-minister-tusk-president-costa

At the risk of repeating myself, Putin can end the illegal invasion of Ukraine at any point by removing his army from the country, and refraining from dropping bombs.

This is straightforward.

🤦‍♂️Putin said that Russia and Ukraine are brotherly nations and that, for him, the war is a great pain

Brotherly like Cain and Abel maybe

All root causes of “Ukraine’s crisis” must be eliminated — Putin

There is only one root cause and its name is Putin. I agree, it should be eliminated

Absolutely.

Apologies I'm sure this has been covered but I was reading about melania and I have a feeling she won't particularly like Putin either because of where she is from.
I'm glad she wrote a letter to Putin re these kidnapped children.
I'm really surprised we dont here more about them

Papers like the Guardian are slowly waking up to the issue but I suspect Ukraine, and the suffering of it's population aren't of interest to many people.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jun/27/russia-ukrainian-children-abduction-war-crime

I hope Putin lures him to Moscow.
I hope he goes.
And I hope Putin throws him out of the fucking window and then the US wakes up to this utter farce and shitshow.
I just feel so angry at Trump for being such a craven, narcissistic arse-licker.

So Trump backs Putins demand of surrendering the valuable regions held by Ukraine of Donetsk and Luhansk to Russia.

Beyond sickening.

People, including the UN, have been raising the issue of the kidnapped children for a long time but as @notimagain says, Ukraine isn't of interest to many for a long time now.

Ukraine keeps the issue central to all its negotiations and a couple of countries on the quiet have been helping them.

Kyiv Independent Telegram Highlights

No ceasefire, possible land swaps, vague security guarantees: Everything we know following Trump’s meeting with Putin (kyivindependent.com/everything-that-has-happened-following-trumps-meeting-with-putin/)
Following a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska, U.S. President Donald Trump has dropped demands for a ceasefire in favor of a comprehensive peace deal that would include giving up unoccupied Ukrainian territories to Russia — but he promises that security guarantees will be part of the deal. [what, like the Budapest memorandum?]

⚡️Putin offers Trump frozen battle lines, written promise (kyivindependent.com/putin-offers-trump-frozen-battle-lines-written-promise-not-to-invade-again-if-kyiv-surrenders-donbas-nyt-reports/) not to invade again if Kyiv surrenders Donbas, NYT reports.
Trump appeared to endorse Russia's plan as the fastest way to a peace deal, abandoning the demand for a ceasefire and threats of sanctions agains Moscow, officials told the NYT.

Russia declares isolation over after Putin’s red-carpet welcome in Alaska (kyivindependent.com/russian-officials-celebrate-end-of-moscows-isolation-after-putin-trump-summit/)

⚡️Russia captures (kyivindependent.com/russia-captures-two-more-villages-in-donetsk-oblast-ukraines-military-says/) two more villages in Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine's military says.
Russian forces captured the villages of Popiv Yar, southwest of Dobropillia, and Ivano-Darivka, located northeast of Sloviansk, the official statement on Aug. 16 read.

⚡️Ukrainian troops advance in Sumy (kyivindependent.com/ukrainian-troops-advance-in-northeast-general-staff-says/) oblast, General Staff says.
Ukraine's military has reportedly advanced about two kilometers in Sumy oblast, just a day after Putin and Trump discussed a deal that would give unoccupied Ukrainian territories to Russia.

⚡️'Borders must not be changed by force' — European leaders back Trump's peace effort but say Ukraine must decide its territory. (kyivindependent.com/european-leaders-back-trumps-peace-effort-after-phone-call-but-say-ukraine-must-decide-fate-of-its-borders/)
The joint statement by several European leaders was published on Aug. 16, shortly after their phone call with U.S. President Donald Trump and President Volodymyr Zelensky.

⚡️Russian officials celebrate end of Moscow's isolation after Putin-Trump summit. (kyivindependent.com/russian-officials-celebrate-end-of-moscows-isolation-after-putin-trump-summit/)
The summit restored a "full-fledged mechanism for meetings" between the two presidents, without "ultimatums and threats," Deputy Chairman of Russia’s Security Council Dmitry Medvedev wrote on his Telegram channel on Aug. 16.

Ukrainians fear Trump will shift responsibility for ending war onto Kyiv after failed talks with Putin (kyivindependent.com/russia-emboldened-ukrainians-slam-trumps-failure-to-pressure-putin-at-alaska-summit/)

⚡️Ukraine sanctions (kyivindependent.com/ukraine-sanctions-russian-chinese-belarusian-firms-supplying-drone-technology/) Russian, Chinese, Belarusian firms supplying drone technology.
According to the presidential decree, restrictions were introduced against 39 Russian nationals and 55 companies from Russia, China, and Belarus.

⚡️Kremlin brags about US jets escorting Putin’s plane (kyivindependent.com/kremlin-brags-about-us-fighter-jets-escorting-putins-plane-after-alaska-summit/) after Alaska summit.
The fighter jets seen in the video are U.S. F-35 supersonic stealth aircraft — the country’s most advanced multirole fighters.

⚡️Slovakia's Fico (kyivindependent.com/slovakias-fico-repeats-russian-propaganda-following-putin-trump-summit/) praises Putin-Trump summit, repeats Kremlin propaganda.

⚡️Sensitive details about Trump-Putin summit (kyivindependent.com/sensitive-details-about-trump-putin-summit-revealed-in-discarded-government-documents-npr-reports/) revealed in discarded government documents, NPR reports.
The documents disclose the exact locations and meeting times of the summit and phone numbers of U.S. government staff. They also reveal other sensitive details, such as a menu for a luncheon in honor of "His Excellency Vladimir Putin."
One section notes that Trump planned to gift Putin with a desk statue of an American bald eagle. Another provides phonetic pronunciation guides for the members of the Russian delegation, including "Mr. President POO-tihn."

⚡️Russian attacks (kyivindependent.com/russian-attacks-kill-5-injure-11-across-ukraine-over-past-day/) kill 5, injure 11 across Ukraine over past day.
The Air Force said Russia launched one Iskander-M ballistic missile and 60 Shahed-type attack drones and drone decoys overnight on Aug. 17.

‪Ragnar Bjartur Gudmundsson 🇺🇦‬ ‪@ragnarbjartur.bsky.social‬
· 33m
⚡️ WAR IN UKRAINE & RUSSIA — AUG 17, 2025
■ Fewer casualties & equipment losses reported, but increased engagements
■ Overnight attacks remain above average with a 66% interception rate
■ Heavy 🇷🇺 MLRS strikes

"we will destroy you from within".

And they did.

The US security guarentees Trump talks about are fucking hilarious.

UNITED24 Media Telegram Highlights

⚡️Trump told Zelenskyy and European leaders that he wants to organize a trilateral summit with Putin on August 22, — Axios

The meeting of the so-called “coalition of the willing” countries will take place on Sunday, August 17, in a video conference format, sources at the Elysee Palace told BFMTV.
It will be co-chaired by France, Germany and Britain. The meeting is scheduled to begin at 3:00 p.m. (4:00 p.m. Kyiv time). Macron will join the video conference from Fort Bregancon.

❗️In the coming days, Russia may try to step up pressure and strikes on Ukrainian positions to create more favorable political circumstances, President Zelenskyy said after Commander-in-Chief Syrskyi’s report.

Putin does not want peace and has no intention of backing down from his brutal war in Ukraine, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaia Kallas warned after Trump’s talks, — Politico.
The statement came hours after top NATO allies were invited to a briefing with the US administration, where Trump claimed the talks had been “extremely productive.” European leaders quickly issued a statement supporting the White House’s efforts to secure trilateral talks with Putin, Trump and Zelenskyy.
Ahead of the talks, Latvian Prime Minister Evika Silinė told POLITICO that European countries shared with Trump “our experience with Russia, including its frequent failure to deliver on promises in the long term, and stressed the need to closely monitor each commitment.”
Zelenskyy will visit Washington on Monday as part of the White House’s peace process, paving the way for a possible meeting with Putin, as Trump suggested.

Russian hackers had access to classified U.S. court documents for years, Bloomberg reports.
They used stolen user credentials and exploited a vulnerability in an outdated server’s cybersecurity. Investigators say the hackers specifically targeted classified documents, and evidence points to a Russian state-funded group behind the cyberattacks.

🇫🇷 Macron announced a meeting of the countries participating in the so-called “coalition of the willing” in the near future.

🤦‍♂️Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico said that the peace treaty should include guarantees for both Ukraine and Russia.

All these cities are located in Ukraine’s Donetsk and Luhansk regions, the so-called Donbas.
All these cities have been already reduced to ashes by the Russian army.
All these cities were once full of Ukrainians – children, families. Ukrainians whom Russian war criminals have either killed, captured, forcibly transferred, or driven from their homes under relentless attacks – now cynically calling a "brotherly nation".
Having left nothing but ruins behind, Putin still seeks to seize and destroy more, to turn new cities into the same lifeless wasteland. Russia’s war is not just against Ukraine’s territory – it is against the very right of Ukrainians to exist.
The U.S., European and other partners have the strength to make Russia stop. Strong, coordinated actions grounded in justice, sovereignty, and Ukraine’s territorial integrity will bring a just and lasting peace.

Kyiv Post Telegram Highlights

Zelensky refused to give up Donbas in his conversation with Trump and European leaders — Reuters

Trump, together with European leaders, discussed security guarantees for Ukraine similar to NATO’s Article 5 — CNN, citing its own sources in European circles.
According to one European official, the Alliance itself will not be involved in these security guarantees.

Trump conveyed to Zelensky that Putin wants to gain full control of Donbas — Bloomberg
According to the agency, the US president at the same time emphasized that Ukraine should decide for itself what to do with its territory.

Fox News publishes a letter from Melania Trump, which she handed to Putin yesterday.
She calls for protecting children from war by establishing peace.

A Mugging of Expectations: What we were robbed of at the Trump-Putin summit.
A correspondent’s on-the-spot impressions. (www.kyivpost.com/post/58339)

Live: Ukraine Telegram Highlights

❗️Reuters, citing sources, has published Putin’s demands for ending the war, which he presented to Trump during their meeting. Here are all the points:
🔴Ukraine must fully withdraw its troops from Donetsk and Luhansk regions in exchange for freezing the front line in Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions.
🔴Russia is reportedly ready to return relatively small areas of Ukrainian territory it occupied in the north of Sumy and in the northeastern part of Kharkiv region.
🔴Formal recognition of Russian sovereignty over Crimea. However, Reuters notes it is unclear whether this refers to recognition by the U.S. government alone, or by all Western states and Ukraine as well.
🔴Putin also wants at least partial lifting of sanctions against Russia.
🔴A ban on Ukraine joining NATO, though Putin is reportedly prepared to allow certain security guarantees for Ukraine.
🔴Official status for the Russian language in Ukraine and permission for the Russian Orthodox Church to operate freely.

❗️Zelensky refused to withdraw troops from Donetsk region at Putin’s demand.
He made this statement during his conversation with Trump and European leaders, Reuters reports.

❗️At his meeting with Trump, Putin demanded guarantees that the Russian language in Ukraine would receive official status, The New York Times reports.
Among his other demands were security guarantees for the Moscow-affiliated Ukrainian Orthodox Church.
According to sources, he also proposed freezing the front line and giving a written pledge not to attack Ukraine or any other European country again.

Putin prefers a comprehensive agreement to end the war and does not want a ceasefire, Trump told Zelenskyy and NATO leaders during their call.
Axios correspondent Barak Ravid, citing a source present on the call, reported:
“I think a quick peace deal is better than a ceasefire,” Trump said, according to the journalist.
▪️ Volodymyr Zelensky has repeatedly emphasized that a ceasefire must come first, followed by talks on a lasting peace. European leaders share the same position.

❗️“We have decided that what is needed is a peace agreement, not a temporary ceasefire,” Donald Trump wrote.

❗️The U.S. is ready to provide security guarantees to Ukraine, European leaders announced following talks with Trump.

🇺🇦🇺🇸 In a conversation with Trump, Zelensky stressed that sanctions against Russia must be strengthened if there is no trilateral meeting or if Moscow evades an honest end to the war.
The Ukrainian president once again emphasized that all issues important to Ukraine must be discussed with Ukraine’s participation, and that no questions — particularly territorial ones — can be decided without it.
“We need to achieve real peace, one that will last, and not just become another pause between Russian invasions,” he wrote.
▪️ After meeting with the Kremlin leader, Trump said he does not believe now is the time to think about sanctions or other “serious consequences” for Russia. He added that perhaps he would have to think about it “in two or three weeks, or something like that,” but definitely not now.

Putin wants to seize all of Donbas, Trump told Zelensky in a phone call, according to Bloomberg sources.
At the same time, Trump stressed that territorial questions must be decided by Kyiv.
According to the agency’s sources, Russia may be prepared to drop its claims to the non-occupied parts of Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions, effectively freezing the front line there.

🔥 An oil refinery is on fire in Volgograd.
Earlier, Russia’s aviation authority reported temporary flight restrictions, and an air raid alert was declared in the city.
Local media say the blaze broke out during an oil discharge while storage tanks were under repair. Residents report ambulances and fire brigades rushing to the site.

💥 Drones attacked Russia’s Voronezh region, according to Telegram channels.
The strike targeted a railway station in the city of Liski, Voronezh region — considered one of the largest railway hubs of Russia’s South-Eastern Railway.
The regional governor confirmed the attack, saying debris from one of the drones damaged a power line. Meanwhile, Russia’s Defense Ministry claimed that 46 drones were allegedly shot down.

https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-august-16-2025

Key Takeaways:

• Various US officials indicated that Russian President Vladimir Putin may be willing to compromise on some war termination demands, but Putin's own statements and Russian official statements contradict these claims.
• It is unclear what Putin offered in his meeting with Trump beyond reiterating his demand for Donetsk Oblast and offering a limited ceasefire with no known timeframe in Zaporizhia and Kherson oblasts.
• Putin’s demand for all of Donetsk Oblast is the most clear and consistent demand coming out of the Alaska Summit.
• Ukrainian forces would not be able to conduct a safe and orderly withdrawal from unoccupied Donetsk Oblast in accordance with Putin's demand without a full ceasefire across the entire theater, however
• ISW continues to assess that a potential Ukrainian withdrawal from Donetsk Oblast would degrade Ukraine's defensive capabilities and defense industrial base (DIB) and put hundreds of thousands more Ukrainian civilians under Russian occupation. Ukraine would require robust international security guarantees and the immediate deployment of an international peacekeeping contingent to deter future Russian aggression.
• Seizing the remainder of Donetsk Oblast would likely be a difficult and years-long effort for Russian forces rather than a quick effort as Putin likely aims to portray, as Russian forces remain unable to secure operationally significant advances or advance faster than foot pace.
• Putin's reported rejection of a full ceasefire in Ukraine and the ongoing Russian offensives in Kharkiv and Sumy oblasts indicate that Putin intends to continue his war in Ukraine while negotiations are ongoing — a point that Russian Security Council Deputy Chairperson Dmitry Medvedev welcomed.
• The Kremlin reportedly instructed Russian media outlets to present the Alaska summit as a meeting between two superpowers and to prepare Russian society for the possibility of a protracted war in Ukraine.
• Russian officials continue rhetorical campaigns designed to undermine Ukraine's sovereignty and peace negotiations and to legitimize Russia's war in Ukraine.
• Ukrainian forces likely cleared several settlements within the Russian penetration northeast of Dobropillya.
• Ukrainian forces advanced near Pokrovsk and Velykomykhailivka. Russian forces advanced near Siversk.

I think Melania's signature has got to be one of the creepiest things I've ever seen. Here, for comparison, hers and Donald's.
Is your signature a creepy replica of your husband's? No, mine neither.

I am very worried.

also the thought of the possibility of having to state “Donetsk, Russia” as opposed to Donetsk Ukraine, as my place of birth (required for passport and even when travelling internationally) makes me sick to my stomach 😞