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
President Vladimir Putin awarded US President Donald Trump’s envoy, Steve Witkoff, the Order of Lenin to pass on to a senior CIA official whose son was killed fighting for Russia in Ukraine. Michael Gloss, the 21-year-old son of CIA deputy director Juliane Gallina, died in Ukraine last year and enlisted with Russian forces in the fall of 2023. The Kremlin has not officially acknowledged the award, while neither the White House, the CIA, nor Witkoff have commented on the matter. Reports indicate Trump and Putin are scheduled to meet to discuss the future of the war in Ukraine.
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Reports suggest Russian President Vladimir Putin and Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko are collaborating with Libyan warlord Khalifa Haftar to orchestrate a new migrant crisis within the EU. European Commission officials have observed a surge in flights between Benghazi, Libya, and Minsk, Belarus, hinting at coordinated efforts to facilitate irregular migration. This tactic mirrors the 2021 strategy, where Belarus aided thousands of asylum seekers in crossing into the EU, potentially aimed at destabilizing the bloc as Russia prepares for negotiations regarding Ukraine’s territories.
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President Zelenskyy declared that Ukraine would not allow Russia a second chance to divide its territory, citing Putin’s tactics of seeking to exchange a pause in the war for the legalization of occupied land. He emphasized that a dignified peace, based on a clear security architecture, is the only acceptable outcome. Zelenskyy highlighted the need for immediate and lasting peace, not a temporary ceasefire, and stated that Ukraine’s partners are ready to help with this. This stance comes amidst reports of potential negotiations that may involve territorial concessions, which Zelenskyy has firmly rejected.
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According to a Western intelligence source, the full Russian integration of Iran’s Shahed-136 drone production, including a massive factory in Russia, has caused tension between Tehran and Moscow. The factory at Alabuga is now producing most of the drone components, potentially allowing Russia to export an updated version. Iran may have expected more reciprocal support from Russia following its aid during the war on Ukraine, especially after Israel’s attacks on Iran. Analysts suggest that Russia’s actions reflect its self-interest, leading to a sense of disappointment in Tehran, compounded by unpaid debts for the supplied weapons.
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President Trump has yet to impose new sanctions on Russia despite Moscow’s failure to meet the August 8 deadline to cease hostilities in Ukraine. A high-level summit is planned for August 15 in Alaska between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss a peace deal. Trump has hinted that a potential deal might involve territorial swaps, possibly aiming to regain some land for Ukraine. While Putin proposed a ceasefire in exchange for Ukraine’s eastern regions, the Russian leader has shown little interest in halting the war, believing his forces have the advantage.
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President Zelensky rejected Putin’s proposal for Ukraine to cede territory, emphasizing that a lack of consequences for Russia’s actions will only lead to further aggression. He warned that allowing Russia to retain occupied territories would create conditions for future reinvasion. The comments were made ahead of a planned meeting between Trump and Putin where a potential ceasefire plan was to be discussed. Despite rejecting the proposal, Zelensky expressed confidence in Trump’s ability to broker a just peace, while also calling for increased sanctions against Russia.
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has rejected the idea of ceding land to Russia to end the war, emphasizing that Ukraine will not give up its territory. This comes after former U.S. President Donald Trump suggested a peace deal involving “some swapping of territories.” Trump has announced a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, potentially in Alaska, without the inclusion of Ukraine, sparking concerns that any agreement without Kyiv’s involvement would be ineffective. The Ukrainian constitution holds its territorial integrity as nonnegotiable.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood