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Russia’s war against Ukraine
Rescuers from Ukraine’s Emergency Services search through the rubble of a building bombed by Russian forces on July 31, in an effort to recover the remains of victims on August 6, 2025 in Kramatorsk, Ukraine. The attack killed seven people and injured 11 others. (Pierre Crom / Getty Images)
Trump plans to meet Putin next week, hold trilateral meeting with Zelensky without European participation, NYT reports. U.S. President Donald Trump plans to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin as early as next week and intends to hold a trilateral meeting with President Volodymyr Zelensky and Putin shortly after, the New York Times (NYT) reported on Aug. 6.
Trump declines to describe Witkoff-Putin meeting as breakthrough, says more secondary sanctions are likely. U.S. President Donald Trump noted additional secondary sanctions will be imposed on Russia’s trading partners, saying that “You are going to see a lot more… you are going to see so much secondary sanctions.”
‘Great progress was made!’— Putin, Witkoff conclude meeting in Moscow as Trump’s sanctions deadline looms. Russian President Vladimir Putin met with U.S. President Donald Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, in Moscow on Aug. 6 for high-level talks as Trump’s deadline for a Ukraine deal draws near.
Zelensky, Trump hold call following Witkoff Moscow visit. “Our joint position with our partners is absolutely clear – the war must end. And it must be done honestly,” President Volodymyr Zelensky said.
Trump signs order imposing additional 25% tariff on Indian imports over Russian oil ties to pressure Moscow into peace deal. The order, which takes effect in 21 days, states that India’s ongoing direct or indirect importation of Russian crude poses an “unusual and extraordinary threat” to U.S. national security and foreign policy.
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Trump to make decision on Russia sanctions within next 24-36 hours, Rubio says. U.S. President Donald Trump will decide whether to impose secondary sanctions on Russia’s trading partners within the next 24 to 36 hours, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio told reporters on Aug. 6.
Ukrainian drones reportedly strike Russian railway hub in Rostov Oblast for second night. The railway station, located roughly 100 kilometers (62 miles) from Ukraine’s border, serves as a logistics hub for Russian military operations.
Russian troops arrive in Belarus ahead of massive Zapad-2025 drills. The drills, expected to be held in mid-September, are among the largest in the Russia-Belarus military calendar.
US to auction $300 million Russian oligarch yacht seized after full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The Amadea yacht, valued at more than $300 million, was seized from sanctioned Kremlin-linked Russian billionaire Suleiman Kerimov in April 2022.
Ukrainians expelled from Russia launch hunger strike at Georgia border. The detainees reportedly include former prisoners deported by Russia after completing their sentences and civilians expelled for opposing Moscow’s full-scale war against Ukraine.
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Ukraine war latest: ‘Great progress was made!’— Putin, Witkoff conclude meeting in Moscow as Trump’s sanctions deadline looms
Russian President Vladimir Putin met with U.S. President Donald Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, in Moscow on Aug. 6 for high-level talks as Trump’s deadline for a Ukraine deal draws near. The Russian leadership requested the meeting with Witkoff as it hoped to avoid new sanctions that Trump threatened to impose by Aug. 8 unless Moscow agreed to end the hostilities, undisclosed sources told CNN.
Photo: Aaron Schwartz/Bloomberg via Getty Images
President Trump has all the cards to stop Russia’s war against Ukraine. Now, he needs to use them
Trump has two additional high-stakes cards to play that can not only bolster his own negotiating posture and prestige, but more importantly, help Ukraine at the same time — tougher sanctions on Russia and frozen Russian asset transfers to Ukraine. If the president genuinely wants to end the war and negotiate from his own position of strength against the Russian dictator, then his first card to play is secondary sanctions and their strict enforcement.
Photo: Brendan Smialowski / AFP
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If you think the truth matters — here’s your chance to stand for it.
Human cost of Russia’s war
Death toll of Russian July 31 attack on Kyiv rises to 32 as another victim dies in hospital. The latest death brings the total number of people killed in the strike to 32. The attack is the deadliest Russian strike on the Ukrainian capital in 2025.
Russian attacks kill 7, injure 37 in Ukraine over past day, damage energy infrastructure. Russia launched 45 Shahed-type attack drones and decoy drones against Ukraine overnight. Thirty-six were intercepted, while nine drones hit three different locations, the Air Force reported.
Russian soldier shoots civilian near Pokrovsk, video shows; prosecutors launch war crimes probe. Ukraine’s Prosecutor General’s Office has opened a war crimes investigation, marking the third recorded case this year of Russian forces killing civilians in Donetsk Oblast.
General Staff: Russia has lost 1,059,270 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022. The number includes 1,010 casualties Russian forces suffered just over the past day.
Anti-corruption
After pressure, Ukraine announces appointment of economic watchdog. Oleksandr Tsyvinsky takes the reins of the Economic Security Bureau after the government controversially blocked his appointment on July 8, citing his estranged father’s Russian citizenship as a security concern.
Zelensky’s trust rating drops to 58% after anti-corruption agencies scandal. Despite the reversal of the controversial law that took away Ukraine’s anti-corruption agencies’ independence, the scandal appears to have damaged the president’s approval.
Trump’s threat won’t stop Putin, Russia expert says
International response
US greenlights $200 million Ukraine arms sales for M777 howitzer support, logistics. “The first package includes equipment, repairs, and technical support for M777 howitzers, valued at $104 million,” Defense Minister Denys Shmyhal said.
EU to enforce new dynamic price cap on Russian oil from Sept. 3. The revised cap replaces the static $60-per-barrel limit introduced by the G7 in December 2022.
In other news
Ukraine planning exhumation of Ukrainians improperly buried in Poland. According to Deputy Culture Minister Andrii Nadzhos, the process will begin in the village of Yurechkova following a preparatory visit scheduled for mid-August.
Trump to host Armenia, Azerbaijan leaders at White House for peace talks. The meeting, expected to take place on Aug. 8, comes as part of U.S. President Donald Trump’s broader push to assert the U.S. role in resolving global conflicts.
Conservative Nawrocki sworn in as Poland’s president. Conservative historian Karol Nawrocki was inaugurated as Poland’s new president in a ceremony on Aug. 6 after securing a narrow election victory in June.
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