Ukraine
The Ukrainian government plans to allocate at least $5 billion for defense by 2026, and also to attract $5 billion from partners for the development of the defense industry in 2025. Priorities include ensuring the front, developing the defense industry, and cooperating with partners.
Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó accused Ukraine of attacking the oil pipeline leading to Hungary. The head of Ukrainian diplomacy, Andriy Sybiha, reminded that Russia started the war.
Ukraine expects an IMF mission at the end of August, with Verkhovna Rada deputies as part of the negotiating group. The country seeks coordination of IMF and EU programs.
The White House has released the official agenda for US President Donald Trump for August 18. An hour-long bilateral meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is planned.
The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine presented the Draft Action Program for 2026, which includes 12 strategic goals. Among the key priorities are defense, European integration, and anti-corruption.
A bill for the fast-track of European integration initiatives has been registered in the Verkhovna Rada. More than 150 deputies are involved in the work of groups related to European integration.
The Ukrainian sea corridor has transported 137 million tons of cargo in two years, including 84 million tons of agricultural products. It ensures food security for 54 countries around the world, operating 24/7 despite infrastructure damage.
Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada Ruslan Stefanchuk stated that NATO is the best security guarantee for Ukraine. The Ukrainian parliament will continue to implement the state's strategy regarding membership in the Alliance.
An online platform, zbroya. gov.ua, has been launched in Ukraine, uniting state tools for manufacturers of weapons and military equipment. It will simplify interaction with the state and accelerate the production of Ukrainian weapons.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni warned allies about the need to support the US President's efforts for peace. She also argues with French President Emmanuel Macron over the location of a trilateral Putin-Zelensky-Trump meeting.
Vyacheslav Savytskyi, director of KP "Pleso", has been notified of suspicion of embezzling UAH 1. 7 million in budget funds. The investigation established the embezzlement of funds allocated for environmental protection measures and official forgery.
Latvia, Finland, and Lithuania have banned or restricted real estate purchases by Russian citizens for national security reasons. Estonia, Norway, and the state of Texas are also considering similar measures.
A regional forum was held in Cherkasy region on August 15. They discussed community development and economic strengthening, regional recovery after the war, as well as how joint efforts of government, business, and communities can create new opportunities.
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported 182 combat engagements over the past day, 58 of which occurred in the Pokrovsk direction. The enemy launched four missile strikes and 80 air strikes, using 5132 kamikaze drones.
Law enforcement officers exposed a criminal organization of 10 people that was engaged in selling cocaine in Kyiv and Odesa. Drug couriers worked around the clock, using fake passes, and sold up to 50 grams of cocaine per day.
During the night, Sumy and the Shostka community suffered a massive attack by Russian drones. Civilian infrastructure was damaged, fires broke out, and there are casualties.
In Kharkiv, the number of victims from the Russian drone strike on a residential building has increased to 20, including six children. Five people died, among them two children.
Gold prices fell by 1. 8% for the week to $3340 per ounce. This is due to accelerating wholesale inflation in the US and expectations regarding interest rates.
Russia launched a massive attack on Ukraine, firing four Iskander-M ballistic missiles and 140 drones. Air defense forces neutralized 88 drones, but missile and drone hits were recorded in 25 locations across six regions.
MHP has started the sowing campaign for the 2026 harvest in Lviv, Vinnytsia, and Cherkasy regions. The company increased the area under winter rapeseed to 42 thousand hectares and under winter wheat to 55 thousand hectares.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha called on allies to continue pressure on Russia after the strike on a residential building in Kharkiv. The attack killed at least five people, including a child.
EU Ambassador to Ukraine Katarina Maternova condemned the Russian drone attack on Kharkiv. She called it the Russian version of "no need to cease fire, let's make a peace agreement."
Russian troops attacked Zaporizhzhia, attempting to hit the city's critical infrastructure. Information regarding casualties and destruction is being ascertained.
Oil prices were little changed after falling earlier in trading. The US did not put further pressure on Russia to limit oil exports after the leaders' meeting.
President Zelenskyy arrived in Washington to discuss possible peace agreement terms that were discussed between Trump and Putin in Alaska. Allies are concerned about potential territorial concessions and seek clear security guarantees for Ukraine.
Russian troops attacked Odesa region with drones. As a result of hits, a fire broke out at a fuel and energy infrastructure facility, which has been extinguished.
US President Donald Trump will pressure Volodymyr Zelenskyy for Ukraine to cede the unoccupied territories of Donetsk and Luhansk regions. About 75% of Ukrainians oppose any official transfer of land to Russia.
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.
On August 17, Russian troops lost 940 soldiers and 43 artillery systems. The total combat losses of the enemy from 24.02.22 to 18.08.25 amount to over 1 million personnel.
Most of Ukraine will be cloudy with clearings on August 18. Short-term rains and thunderstorms are expected in the central, Kharkiv, Odesa, and Mykolaiv regions.