The Kyiv Independent [unofficial]
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Russia’s war against Ukraine
Ukrainian firefighters work to extinguish a blaze after a Russian shelling hit a house, when a Russian FPV drone attack damaged their fire truck during the operation, in Kostiantynivka, Ukraine, on August 16, 2025. (Diego Herrera Carcedo/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Russia’s refusal to declare ceasefire casts doubt on peace process, Zelensky says ahead of White House talks. “If they do not have the will to implement a simple order to stop the attacks, it may take a great deal of effort to get Russia to implement something much more significant, namely peaceful coexistence with its neighbors for decades to come.”
Sensitive details about Trump-Putin summit revealed in discarded government documents, NPR reports. The documents disclose the exact locations and meeting times of the summit and phone numbers of U.S. government staff. They also reveal other sensitive details, such as a menu for a luncheon in honor of “His Excellency Vladimir Putin.”
Putin offers Trump frozen battle lines, written promise not to invade again if Kyiv surrenders Donbas, NYT reports. Trump appeared to endorse Russia’s plan as the fastest way to a peace deal, abandoning the demand for a ceasefire and threats of sanctions against Moscow, officials told the NYT.
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Trump, Zelensky to meet in Washington next week after US-Russia summit ends without agreement. Zelensky said he supports Trump’s proposal for a trilateral meeting between Ukraine, the U.S., and Russia, noting that the three leaders can cover the “key issues.”
Trump says he and Putin ‘largely agreed’ on land swaps, security guarantees for Ukraine. “I think we’re pretty close to a deal,” Trump told Fox News, adding: “Ukraine has to agree to it. Maybe they’ll say no.”
Russia declares isolation over after Putin’s red-carpet welcome in Alaska. The summit restored a “full-fledged mechanism for meetings” between the two presidents, without “ultimatums and threats,” Deputy Chairman of Russia’s Security Council Dmitry Medvedev wrote on his Telegram channel on Aug. 16.
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Ukrainians fear Trump will shift responsibility for ending war onto Kyiv after failed talks with Putin.
In the wake of the Putin-Trump summit in Alaska, Ukrainian lawmakers, experts, and soldiers expressed their reservations, fears, expectations for future peace negotiations.
Photo: Gavriil Grigorov/POOL/AFP via Getty Images
Everything we know about the fallout of Trump’s meeting with Putin.
Following his meeting with Putin in Alaska, U.S. President Donald Trump has dropped demands for a ceasefire in favor of a comprehensive peace deal that would include giving up unoccupied Ukrainian territories to Russia.
Photo: Drew Angerer / AFP via Getty Images
From Crimea to Donbas, Russia’s “peace” has always meant more war. We’re here in Ukraine to give the world a reality check. Support independent journalism in this critical moment.
Human cost of Russia’s war
General Staff: Russia has lost 1,069,050 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022. The number includes 1,010 casualties that Russian forces suffered over the past day, according to the General Staff of Ukraine’s Armed Forces.
Russia captures two more villages in Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine’s military says. President Volodymyr Zelensky acknowledged on that the situation in Donetsk remains “extremely difficult” but said Ukrainian forces have achieved some gains.
International response
Slovakia’s Fico praises Putin-Trump summit, repeats Kremlin propaganda. In an Aug. 16 video, Slovakia’s Prime Minister Robert Fico praised the recent Putin-Trump summit in Alaska and repeated Kremlin propaganda about the “root causes” of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
‘Putin cannot be trusted’ — Nordic, Baltic countries issue joint statement supporting Ukraine’s sovereignty. The Nordic-Baltic Eight nations on Aug. 16 issued a joint statement in support of Ukraine’s sovereignty and a just end to Russia’s full-scale war.
European leaders back Trump’s peace effort but say Ukraine must decide its territory. The joint statement by several European leaders was published on Aug. 16, shortly after their phone call with U.S. President Donald Trump and President Volodymyr Zelensky.
In other news
Melania Trump wrote letter to Putin about kidnapped Ukrainian children, Reuters reports. Trump handed the letter to Putin during their nearly three-hour meeting on Aug. 15, two White House officials told Reuters.
Kremlin brags about US jets escorting Putin’s plane after Alaska summit. Russian officials bragged about U.S. fighter jets escorting Russian President Vladimir Putin’s plane from Alaska on Aug. 16, following his meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump.
Ukrainian troops advance in Sumy oblast, General Staff says. Ukraine’s military has reportedly advanced about two kilometers in Sumy oblast, just a day after Putin and Trump discussed a deal that would give Ukrainian territories to Russia.
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