Vladimir Putin
ISW analysts claim that Russia will not be able to quickly occupy the entire Donetsk region by force. Seizing the rest of the territory will take Russian troops several years, as their campaigns have been ongoing since 2014.
Donald Trump stated that Volodymyr Zelenskyy could immediately end the war if Ukraine renounces Crimea and NATO membership. According to the US president, "some things never change."
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived in Washington for a meeting with US President Donald Trump and European leaders. He emphasized the importance of lasting peace and expressed gratitude for the support.
American senators Lindsey Graham and Richard Blumenthal are considering a bill to recognize Russia and Belarus as state sponsors of terrorism. This is due to the systematic abduction of Ukrainian children during the war, which threatens their Ukrainian identity.
The Commissioner for the Protection of the State Language, Olena Ivanovska, stated that Putin's demands regarding the Russian language and the Moscow Patriarchate are unacceptable. She emphasized that these are tools of ideological war against Ukraine's independence.
Former US Vice President Mike Pence called on Donald Trump to impose secondary sanctions against Russia. He emphasized that this would destroy the Russian economy and accelerate the conclusion of a peace agreement.
Republican Senator Lindsey Graham believes that the next step in American diplomacy regarding the war in Ukraine should be economic pressure on Moscow. He proposes imposing tariffs on countries that buy Russian energy resources and calls on China to influence Putin.
EU Ambassador to Ukraine Katarina Maternova called "peace" that demands Ukraine give up the unoccupied parts of Donbas unacceptable. She emphasized that the EU will not tolerate peace that is just another word for Ukraine's capitulation.
Putin proposed ending the war in Ukraine in exchange for full control over Donbas. Donald Trump supports these terms and urges Zelenskyy to accept the offer.
President Zelenskyy stated that the Constitution of Ukraine makes it impossible to cede territory. He emphasized that real negotiations can begin on the current front line, which is supported by Europeans.
Donald Trump reposted on social media a post stating that Ukraine should be ready to lose part of its territory to Russia. Otherwise, the longer the war lasts, the more land will be lost.
Trump's special envoy, Steve Witkoff, stated that security guarantees include a legally enshrined commitment in Russia not to pursue "any other territory. " This is the equivalent of NATO's Article 5.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that the only way to end the war is to reach a peace agreement that Ukraine and Russia will agree to. Earlier, agreements on security guarantees at a summit with Putin in Alaska were reported.
US President's Special Envoy Steve Witkoff stated that agreements on reliable security guarantees were reached at the historic summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska. These agreements could fundamentally change the situation.
US President Donald Trump announced a "significant shift" in relations with Russia and urged to follow the news. This comes amid his proposal to Ukraine to exchange territories for peace after meeting with Putin.
President Zelenskyy stated that security guarantees for Ukraine lie in a strong army and its financing. He called Putin's words about readiness to provide guarantees mere rhetoric.
From August 4 to 16, the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the National Guard cleared 7 settlements in Donetsk Oblast, including Pokrovsk. The enemy suffered significant losses in manpower and equipment.
European leaders plan to send Finnish President Alexander Stubb to the Trump-Zelenskyy meeting in Washington. He is expected to become a "bridge" between the parties and help avoid tensions during the negotiations.
Russia proposes to freeze the front in Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions in exchange for control over Donetsk region - these conditions became known to Reuters from sources, in the context of topics that Putin and Trump discussed in Alaska.
Documents outlining a plan for a meeting between Russian and American leaders were found in a public hotel printer in Alaska. Among the findings were a dinner menu in honor of Putin and a gift from Trump.
Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin have offered Ukraine a deal: give up Donbas in exchange for peace and security guarantees. This offer, although "terrible," may be the only option for Ukraine.
Ukraine needs international security guarantees and the deployment of a peacekeeping contingent to deter future Russian aggression. Allowing Russia to occupy the Donetsk region will enable it to resume aggression on more favorable terms.
ISW analysts believe that the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from Donetsk Oblast without a complete ceasefire is risky. This could lead to significant losses and complicate the defense of other territories.
Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvičs commented on the meeting between Trump and Putin, noting that the coming weeks will show whether Russia seeks a settlement of the war. He emphasized the need for serious guarantees for a peace agreement and continued pressure on the Russian Federation.
Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski commented on the negotiations between Trump and Putin, stating that the US is giving Russia a chance to withdraw from the war. Poland will not send troops to Ukraine, but will provide it with concrete assistance.
US First Lady Melania Trump wrote a letter to Vladimir Putin, urging him to protect children and future generations. The letter was personally delivered before the Alaska summit on August 15.
US President Donald Trump, after meeting with Putin, proposes that Ukraine exchange territories for peace. Ukrainian officials and experts call this a "stab in the back" and a "terrible" mistake.
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico spoke about the "root causes of the war" in Ukraine and called for security guarantees for Russia. He also used talking points from Kremlin rhetoric when commenting on Donald Trump's meeting with Vladimir Putin.
Donald Trump proposed holding a trilateral Ukraine-US-Russia summit on August 22. Putin is making demands for territorial concessions from Ukraine and recognition of Russia's sovereignty over captured Ukrainian territories.
Donald Trump told European leaders he was ready to provide security guarantees to Ukraine. This is a significant change in position after his meeting with Putin, after which he was "exhausted and annoyed."