Turkey
July 2024 was the third hottest month on record globally. The temperature was 0.27°C cooler than the record-breaking July 2023 and 0.23°C cooler than July 2024.
Ukraine is preparing for the visit of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to Kyiv. The main topic of discussion will be the ratification of the free trade agreement between the two countries.
From January to July 2025, Gazprom exported 9. 93 billion cubic meters of gas to Europe, which is the lowest figure since the early 1970s. This happened after the loss of transit through Ukraine, which led to an almost twofold decrease in supply volumes.
Poland has signed a contract worth over 6 billion euros with South Korea for the purchase of an additional 180 K2 tanks, which will increase its tank fleet to 1,100 units. This will make the country one of the leading tank powers in NATO, surpassing the combined tank numbers of Great Britain, Germany, France, and Italy.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced the application of sanctions against 94 captains and five companies of Russia's "shadow fleet. " These individuals and organizations transported Russian oil circumventing the price cap.
ISW analysts claim that the Kremlin is not interested in a compromise that does not mean Ukraine's capitulation. Lavrov's statements from August 1 are consistent with the positions of Putin and Lukashenka, confirming Moscow's unchanged demands.
Indian officials have stated their intention to continue purchasing Russian oil, despite threats of sanctions from US President Donald Trump. India and Russia have a stable and time-tested partnership.
Average daily supplies of Russian gas to Europe increased by 37% in July. This happened due to recovery after maintenance work and the use of "TurkStream" as the only transit route.
The full-scale war has placed Ukrainian businesses under extraordinary pressure. For the aviation sector, this has meant more than the loss of access to infrastructure — it has brought a complete shutdown of the domestic market, forced relocation, adaptation to new realities, and the challenge of maintaining world-class standards on the international stage.
The National Bank of Ukraine reports that food prices in Ukraine have converged with European ones, and some, like butter, have even exceeded them. This is due to internal and external factors, including high production costs and differences in VAT rates.
The US Treasury Secretary warned China about high tariffs on Russian oil, but Beijing declared the protection of energy sovereignty. China remains the largest buyer of Russian oil, despite the threat of sanctions.
Over 1,300 firefighters and dozens of aircraft are involved in battling three large forest fires in Portugal. Due to prolonged heat and drought, a red alert has been declared in the country, and residents have been evacuated and tourist routes closed in the Arouca area.
Investigations into the activities of the Istanbul Municipality continue in Turkey, with 25 people detained on charges of tender fraud. Dozens of people were detained during operations conducted in Istanbul, Antalya, Çanakkale, Trabzon, Bursa, and Giresun.
In the first 5 months of 2025, Ukraine imported 539 buses worth 25. 9 million US dollars. Among them, 161 were new and 378 were used, with Turkey and Poland being the largest suppliers, respectively.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that a "peace table" would soon be set in Turkey, which would end the war. This will happen similarly to the negotiations that began in Istanbul.
Forest fires continue to rage in Greece and Turkey, where the highest temperature in history has been recorded. In Turkey, three volunteers died in a water tanker accident while extinguishing a fire in Kestel.
In the southeastern province of Şırnak, Turkey, a new temperature record for continental Europe was recorded — 50. 5 °C, surpassing the previous maximum of 48.8 °C set in Sicily in 2021. Extreme heat has gripped 31 provinces of Turkey, where temperatures significantly exceed seasonal norms.
Numerous forest fires, caused by strong winds, have engulfed Turkey, leading to the closure of the Bursa-Ankara highway. At least 13 people have died, flames are approaching residential areas, and authorities are advising citizens to stay indoors due to ash.
Head of the Presidential Office Andriy Yermak held meetings with representatives of the USA, Germany, Great Britain, Italy, and France. Issues of security, reforms, the peace process, military cooperation, and the exchange of 1200 prisoners of war from each side were discussed.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan announced a principled agreement between Ukraine and Russia on a meeting of their leaders. Negotiations on the summit's terms are ongoing, with delegations working on an interim solution.
Donald Trump suggests the possibility of a trilateral meeting between Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Vladimir Putin, and himself. The US President believes that such a meeting should have taken place earlier.
The head of Chechnya, Ramzan Kadyrov, almost drowned in Bodrum, Turkey. He was rescued by coast guard representatives and taken to a hospital where he received assistance.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced possible talks with Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump this week. He seeks to gather the leaders in Istanbul to discuss the war in Ukraine.
Political scientist Oleh Lisnyi believes that the negotiations in Istanbul are a continuation of Russia's mockery of Donald Trump.
The Ukrainian side at the Istanbul talks outlined three priorities: a complete ceasefire, organizing a meeting of the leaders of Ukraine and Russia with the participation of Trump and Erdogan, and continuing the humanitarian track. Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council Rustem Umerov noted that Ukraine is ready for a ceasefire and is awaiting a political decision from the Kremlin.
Russia does not want a ceasefire, claiming its troops are advancing. Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Heorhiy Tykhyi, stated that Russia rejects moving towards peace, having not achieved any strategic goal in 3.5 years.
MFA spokesperson Heorhiy Tykhyi stated that Volodymyr Zelenskyy is ready to meet with Vladimir Putin at any moment. Ukraine insists on a meeting of the leaders to make important decisions, particularly regarding a ceasefire.
Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council Rustem Umerov announced a humanitarian exchange of over 1,200 people between Russia and Ukraine. Ukraine insists on the return of civilians and children, as well as an unconditional ceasefire.
MFA spokesperson Heorhiy Tykhyi stated that the Ukrainian text of the ceasefire memorandum is logical, while the Russian one contains ultimatums. There is no common agreement on these documents, as they are only drafts.
The head of the Russian delegation, Vladimir Medinsky, announced proposals to Ukraine regarding the exchange of 1,200 prisoners of war, short truces, and the transfer of 3,000 bodies of fallen Ukrainian soldiers. Negotiations between the Ukrainian and Russian delegations concluded in Istanbul.