According to sources cited by Caliber.Az, Azerbaijan may consider lifting its ban on supplying weapons to Ukraine due to recent Russian attacks targeting Azerbaijani-linked energy infrastructure in Ukraine. These attacks include strikes on a SOCAR oil depot and a gas distribution station, with recent attacks prompting discussion between Presidents Zelensky and Aliyev. Previously, Azerbaijan had refrained from supplying arms to Ukraine but had provided humanitarian aid, however the situation appears to be evolving. The potential policy shift follows a history of close energy and trade ties between the two countries, suggesting a significant change in Azerbaijan’s stance on the conflict.
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European leaders are urging Donald Trump to include Ukraine in a planned summit with Vladimir Putin in Alaska. Concerns have been raised, particularly from Germany, about any potential deals that exclude Ukraine and its interests. While the US is aiming for a summit involving Trump, Putin, and Zelenskyy, European officials have emphasized the necessity of Ukraine’s involvement and a potential ceasefire. Several leaders across Europe have stated that decisions regarding Ukraine’s future must include Ukraine, and any negotiations should consider its sovereignty and security.
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Ukraine drone attack kills one, damages industrial facility in Saratov, Russia says, and this is where we begin. It’s the headline, the initial punch, and it immediately sets the stage for what’s undoubtedly a complex and emotionally charged situation. The core of the news is straightforward: an attack, drones involved, a target in Russia, and casualties. The information comes from Russia, which, as we’ll unpack, is a significant factor in how we process this information.
Ukraine drone attack kills one, damages industrial facility in Saratov, Russia says, and this prompts the immediate need for context. We’re reminded that any information coming from the Russian side needs to be treated with a healthy dose of skepticism.… Continue reading
President Zelensky has stated that Russia intends to deceive the United States during upcoming peace negotiations, vowing that Ukraine will prevent this. The statement came before an August 15th meeting between Presidents Trump and Putin in Alaska, where a Russian peace proposal involving territorial concessions from Ukraine is expected to be discussed. Zelensky emphasized ongoing communication with U.S. partners to secure peace and highlighted Russia’s lack of genuine interest in peace, citing recent attacks as evidence of its destructive goals. Allies have made it clear that any decisions regarding Ukraine must include its participation, and there is a possibility of trilateral talks with Zelensky, Trump, and Putin after the initial meeting.
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Vance says Ukraine peace deal unlikely to satisfy either side, and honestly, it’s hard to disagree when you break it all down. The whole concept of a “satisfying deal” for both sides in this situation feels fundamentally flawed. How can Ukraine, having been invaded, accept any peace deal that doesn’t involve the complete restoration of its territory? The previous agreements have been disregarded, so trust is non-existent. You have to ask yourself, how could anyone possibly believe that Putin, or for that matter, someone like Trump, would honor any agreement? It’s a minefield of distrust, and that’s before you even get to the details of what a potential deal might look like.… Continue reading
Ukrainian forces have successfully liberated the village of Bezsalivka in Sumy Oblast, as reported by the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The operation involved units from the 33rd Separate Assault Regiment and the 24th Separate Assault Battalion, resulting in the killing of 18 Russian soldiers. Bezsalivka, a village near the Russian border with a population of 91 people, is situated within the Bilopillia hromada. This recent victory follows previous successes in Sumy Oblast, including the liberation of Kindrativka and Andriivka.
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Following a proposal by Russian President Vladimir Putin for a ceasefire in exchange for Ukraine ceding its eastern territories, European leaders swiftly rejected the offer. This rejection, communicated through discussions between the EU, Ukraine, and the U.S., underscored a unified stance against altering borders by force and emphasized that any peace negotiations must include Ukraine’s participation. Baltic states voiced strong opposition, emphasizing the importance of territorial integrity and sovereignty, while other European officials expressed concerns that the proposal conceded too much to Russia. Ultimately, the EU maintained its commitment to supporting Ukraine and stressed that any settlement must respect Ukraine’s borders and self-determination.
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According to a source familiar with the negotiations, Russia has proposed that Ukraine cede Donbas in exchange for a ceasefire, but without offering to return any occupied territories. The Kremlin is unwilling to relinquish control of Kherson and Zaporizhzhia oblasts, as they provide a crucial land bridge to Crimea. A former official suggests Russia may be leaning toward a temporary truce to allow for elections. This comes as President Trump has indicated a potential territorial trade for peace, a notion rejected by Ukrainian President Zelenskyy.
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President Zelenskyy reported on his Telegram channel about multiple conversations with world leaders regarding the ongoing war in Ukraine. Discussions with Keir Starmer, Kristen Michal, Mette Frederiksen, and Emmanuel Macron centered on diplomatic efforts to end the war, secure collective security, and address Ukraine’s European integration. Zelenskyy underscored the need for sustained peace and warned against the Russian strategy of proposing territorial exchanges. These discussions took place amid reports of U.S. and Russian officials considering a deal involving territorial concessions, a prospect Zelenskyy rejected, emphasizing Ukraine’s commitment to a just peace.
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Europe stresses the need to protect Ukrainian interests ahead of Trump-Putin talks, as the whispers of a potential meeting between the former US President and the Russian leader grow louder. It’s becoming increasingly apparent that the European Union is acutely aware of the high stakes and the potential for a deal that could severely disadvantage Ukraine.
The current situation feels precarious, with uncertainty swirling around whether the much-discussed meeting will even materialize. The reports suggest that Putin and Russia are leaning towards excluding Ukrainian President Zelensky from these discussions. This creates a worrying imbalance of power, making Europe anxious about the outcome.… Continue reading
John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood