Vladimir Putin has demanded Ukrainian forces withdraw from Donetsk as part of any ceasefire deal potentially brokered by Donald Trump, Volodymyr Zelensky said.
The Ukrainian president said Mr Putin wanted the remaining 30 per cent, or 3,500 square miles of the region, which has seen some of the fiercest fighting in the three-and-a-half-year-old war.
But Mr Zelensky vowed Ukraine would “never leave” the Donbas and warned Mr Putin’s troops could use it as a spring board for a future invasion.
"We will not leave Donbas. We cannot do this. Everyone forgets the first part - our territories are illegally occupied. Donbas for the Russians is a springboard for a future new offensive,” he said.
Mr Zelensky learned of Russia's position after holding a call with Mr Trump and special envoy Steve Witkoff, after Mr Witkoff’s bilateral meeting with Mr Putin.
Mr Witkoff told Zelensky that Russia was ready to end the war and that there should be territorial concessions from both sides.
Mr Trump will meet the Russian leader in Anchorage, Alaska’s largest city, on Friday, for what he described as “feel out” meeting.
Read More
Key Points
- Putin demands Ukrainian withdrawal from Donetsk, says Zelensky
- Russia tries to make sudden advance in Ukraine before Trump-Putin summit
- Ukraine will not pull its forces out of Donbas, Zelensky says
- Putin preparing for new offensives instead of ceasefire in Ukraine, says Zelensky
- EU leaders urge Trump not to exclude Ukraine from talks about its future
Talks with Putin will be a 'listening exercise' for Trump
04:00
,
Alexander Butler
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt has said that the upcoming meeting between the two leaders will be a “listening exercise” for Trump.
She added that she is “very confident” the US president will remain optimistic after the summit in Anchorage in Alaska on Friday.
"Only one party that's involved in this war is going to be present, so this is for the president to go and get a more firm understanding of how we can hopefully bring this war to an end."
She said there are plans in the works for Trump to visit Russia in the future.
Comment: When Trump and Putin go head to head in Alaska, who wins?
03:00
,
Alexander Butler
White House is already downplaying expectation for Trump-Putin meeting painting it as only a step toward peace
01:00
,
Alexander Butler
Starmer determined to secure 'robust security guarantees'
Tuesday 12 August 2025 23:30
,
Alexander Butler
Ahead of Wednesday’s call, a Downing Street spokesperson said: “The Prime Minister remains absolutely focused on a solution to this conflict grounded in Ukraine’s national interests.
“He is determined to achieve a just and lasting peace in Ukraine, backed by robust and credible security guarantees that will deter Russia from threatening Ukraine in future.”
This comes ahead of the expected meeting between Mr Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska on Friday.
The two leaders are set to meet to discuss the future of the Kremlin’s invasion, without the presence of Mr Zelensky.
Starmer to co-chair Ukraine meeting after call with Trump and European leaders
Tuesday 12 August 2025 22:30
,
Alexander Butler
Sir Keir Starmer will co-chair a meeting with pro-Ukraine allies on Wednesday after a call with US president Donald Trump and European leaders about ending the war.
Sir Keir will join a virtual call at midday with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky, French president Emmanuel Macron and German chancellor Friedrich Merz.
They will then be joined by Mr Trump and US vice president JD Vance. Later, the PM will co-chair a “Coalition of the Willing” meeting to update wider partners on the day’s discussions.
RECAP: Russian troops surge on frontline as Ukraine claims hit on Russian drone warehouse
Tuesday 12 August 2025 21:00
,
Nicole Wootton-Cane
Tuesday has seen reports of a surge from Russian forces concentrated around land east of the mining town of Dobropillia.
The DeepState war map showed Russian forces had quickly moved north in two prongs covering as much as 10 kilometres (6.2 miles).
Ukraine later said it had sent reserves in to cover “difficult” near the cities of Pokrovsk and Dobropillia.
Later in the day, its SBU intelligence agency said its drones had hit a building containing long-range Shahed attack drones in Russia's Tatarstan region, 1,300 km (800 miles)from Ukraine.
The SBU said this was the second such strike in four days, and that videos filmed by local residents there confirmed the facility had been hit.
Nato Secretary General will participate in leader's meeting tomorrow
Tuesday 12 August 2025 20:30
,
Nicole Wootton-Cane
Nato Secretary General will participate in a meeting between President Zelensky, President Trump, and European leaders on Wednesday, a spokesperson said.
In a statement, they wrote: “On Wednesday, 13 August 2025, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte will participate in the virtual meetings of European leaders, the US and Ukraine, hosted by the Federal Chancellor of Germany Friedrich Merz to discuss Ukraine.”
Analysis: 'Europe's leaders must prepare their countries for the worst'
Tuesday 12 August 2025 20:00
,
Nicole Wootton-Cane
Europe’s leaders must prepare their people for war with Moscow, says The Independent’s world affairs editor Sam Kiley.
“There should be no expectation that Trump will take the side of democratic pro-Western Ukraine over the dictator Putin on Friday – and the Europeans know that,” he writes. “That why they’re working very hard to make sure that Zelensky is at the summit too – and that he’s reinforced with the full force of European diplomacy if he’s allowed to attend.
“But it is military force that Europe needs to be able to show – not just as US taxpayer subsidies to European security are cut back by Trump, but right now.”
You can read his full analysis here.
Putin demands Ukrainian withdrawal from Donetsk, says Zelensky
Tuesday 12 August 2025 19:54
,
Alexander Butler
Vladimir Putin has demanded Ukrainian forces withdraw from Donetsk as part of any ceasefire deal potentially brokered by Donald Trump, Volodymyr Zelensky said.
The Ukrainian president said Mr Putin wanted the the remaining 30 per cent, or 3,500 square miles of the region, which has seen some of the fiercest fighting in the three-and-a-half-year-old war.
But Mr Zelensky vowed Ukraine would “never leave” the Donbas and warned Mr Putin’s troops could use it as a spring board for a future invasion.
"We will not leave Donbas. We cannot do this. Everyone forgets the first part - our territories are illegally occupied. Donbas for the Russians is a springboard for a future new offensive,” he said.
Mr Zelensky learned of Russia's position after holding a call with Mr Trump and special envoy Steve Witkoff, after Mr Witkoff’s bilateral meeting with Putin.
Putin pictured chairing meeting at the Kremin on Tuesday
Tuesday 12 August 2025 19:30
,
Nicole Wootton-Cane
Pictures show Russian leader Vladimir Putin chairing a meeting on economic issues at the Kremlin in Moscow on Tuesday.
It comes as Putin prepares to travel to Alaska to meet US President Donald Trump to discuss the war on Friday.
Talks with Putin will be a 'listening exercise' for Trump
Tuesday 12 August 2025 19:24
,
Holly Evans
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt has said that the upcoming meeting between the two leaders will be a “listening exercise” for Trump.
She added that she is “very confident” the US president will remain optimistic after the summit in Anchorage in Alaska on Friday.
"Only one party that's involved in this war is going to be present, so this is for the president to go and get a more firm understanding of how we can hopefully bring this war to an end."
She said there are plans in the works for Trump to visit Russia in the future.
White House defends Zelensky not being invited to US-Russia summit
Tuesday 12 August 2025 19:19
,
Holly Evans
Taking questions from reporters, Karoline Leavitt was asked why Volodymyr Zelensky has not been invited to participate in the talks between the US and Russia.
"This meeting came about because the President of Russia asked the President of the United States to meet through his special envoy Steve Witkoff," she says.
"The president is agreeing to this meeting at the request of President Putin."
She added that the meeting was for Trump and Putin to walk away “with a better understanding” of how to end the war, and said that the US president had “deep respect for all parties”.
"This administration has really used every lever, has taken every measure to achieve peace through a diplomatic solution," she adds.
Trump and Putin talks to be held in Anchorage
Tuesday 12 August 2025 19:12
,
Holly Evans
Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin will meet in Anchorage, Alaska’s largest city, on Friday, the White House has confirmed.
Press secretary Karoline Leavitt opened the news conference by saying: "President Trump is determined to try and end this war and stop the killing.
"As the president has said over and over again, his strong preference will always be for peace and partnership whenever those outcomes can be achieved.”
Trump will participate in virtual Ukraine talks on Wednesday, CNN reports
Tuesday 12 August 2025 19:02
,
Holly Evans
U.S. President Donald Trump will participate in virtual Ukraine talks on Wednesday ahead of his meeting with Russia's Vladimir Putin on Friday, CNN reported, citing a White House official.
Germany said on Monday it was convening a series of top-level video conferences on Wednesday to prepare for the summit, including one at 1pm GMT between European leaders, Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelensky, Trump and U.S. Vice President JD Vance.
Moscow 'trying to exploit lack of manpower' as Kyiv calls in reserves
Tuesday 12 August 2025 19:00
,
Nicole Wootton-Cane
Open source investigators DeepState have said Moscow is trying to exploit Kyiv’s lack of manpower.
"The situation is quite chaotic, as the enemy, having found gaps in the defence, is infiltrating deeper, trying to quickly consolidate and accumulate forces for further advancement," DeepState said on its Telegram channel.
Later in the day, Ukraine confirmed reserves had been sent in to engage in "difficult" combat near the cities of Pokrovsk and Dobropillia.
Putin wants the rest of Ukraine's Donetsk region as part of a ceasefire, says Zelensky
Tuesday 12 August 2025 18:48
,
Holly Evans
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Tuesday that Russian President Vladimir Putin wants Ukraine to withdraw from the remaining 30% of the Donetsk region that Ukraine controls as part of a ceasefire deal.
Zelensky said Russia's position had been conveyed to him by U.S. officials ahead of a summit Friday between Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump in Alaska on the war in Ukraine.
Zelensky reiterated that Ukraine would not withdraw from territories it controls, saying that would be unconsitutional and would serve only as a springboard for a future Russian invasion.
It remained unclear whether Ukraine would take part in the Friday summit.
European Union also have been sidelined from the meeting, and they appealed to Trump on Tuesday to protect their interests.
Zelenskyy said at a news briefing in Kyiv that Putin wants the remaining 9,000 square kilometers (3,500 square miles) of Donetsk under Kyiv's control, where the war's toughest battles are grinding on, as part of a ceasefire plan.
He said the Russian position was conveyed to him by U.S. officials. Doing so would hand Russia almost the entirety of the Donbas, a region comprising Ukraine's eastern industrial heartland that Putin has long coveted.
Zelensky thanks Romanian leader in call
Tuesday 12 August 2025 18:30
,
Nicole Wootton-Cane
President Zelensky has said he is preparing to welcome the Romanian president to Ukraine following a call between the leaders.
“I thanked Nicușor Dan and all EU leaders for today’s statement of clear support for Ukraine’s independence, territorial integrity, and sovereignty,” he wrote on X. “We all agree: the first step toward a just peace must be a ceasefire.
“Right now, all is defined by President Trump’s determination and Europe’s unity. If Russia is not ready to stop the killings, then there must be sanctions on its economy that will force it to do so.
“I also thanked Romania for supporting our synchronized and joint path with Moldova toward EU membership. We look forward to welcoming the President to Ukraine. Our teams are already working on the details.:
I spoke with Romania’s President @NicusorDanRO.
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) August 12, 2025
We coordinated our next joint steps in diplomacy and are preparing for important contacts already tomorrow. I thanked Nicușor Dan and all EU leaders for today’s statement of clear support for Ukraine’s independence, territorial… pic.twitter.com/6KkRfZRDdE
Russia tries to make sudden advance in Ukraine before Trump-Putin summit
Tuesday 12 August 2025 18:30
,
Holly Evans
Russian forces have made a sudden thrust into eastern Ukraine near the coal mining town of Dobropillia, a move that may be an attempt to increase the pressure on Kyiv to give up land as the U.S. and Russian presidents prepare to meet.
Ukraine's authoritative DeepState war map showed on Tuesday that Russian forces had advanced by at least 10 km (six miles) north in two prongs in recent days, part of their drive to take full control of Ukraine's Donetsk region.
The advance is one of the most dramatic in the last year, although military analysts said the Russians were using small groups of soldiers to try to establish footholds and that it was uncertain if they could maintain their positions in the face of a Ukrainian pushback.
DeepState said the Russians had surged forward near three villages on a section of the frontline associated with the Ukrainian towns of Kostyantynivka and Pokrovsk, which Moscow is trying to encircle by exploiting Kyiv's lack of manpower.
"The situation is quite chaotic, as the enemy, having found gaps in the defence, is infiltrating deeper, trying to quickly consolidate and accumulate forces for further advancement," DeepState said on its Telegram channel.
Ukraine will not pull its forces out of Donbas, Zelensky says
Tuesday 12 August 2025 18:23
,
Holly Evans
President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Tuesday he would reject any Russian proposal to pull Ukrainian troops out of the eastern Donbas region as it would deprive Kyiv of defensive lines and open the way for Moscow to conduct further offensives.
The Ukrainian leader told reporters that territorial issues should be discussed after Russia agrees to a ceasefire, and security guarantees for Ukraine should be an integral part of that discussion.
RECAP: Land swap deal would be illegal under Ukrainian constitution
Tuesday 12 August 2025 18:00
,
Nicole Wootton-Cane
President Donald Trump has suggested that a land-swap deal could be an outcome from Friday’s meeting with Putin.
But such a deal would involve changing Ukraine’s borders, and therefore its constitution - something that could only be done through a national referendum.
The move would be seen as a disaster for Zelensky’s presidency, and likely spark the end of his government.
Ukraine says it hit attack drone warehouse in Russia
Tuesday 12 August 2025 17:30
,
Nicole Wootton-Cane
Ukraine's SBU intelligence agency said on Tuesday its drones hit a building containing long-range Shahed attack drones in Russia's Tatarstan region, 1,300 km (800 miles)from Ukraine.
The SBU said this was the second such strike in four days, and that videos filmed by local residents there confirmed the facility had been hit.
Russian embassy in UK insist country is 'open' to solving conflict
Tuesday 12 August 2025 17:00
,
Nicole Wootton-Cane
Russia’s embassy in the UK has insisted the country is “open” to resolving the conflict in Ukraine through “political and diplomatic means”.
It comes after a reported surge from Russian forces near three villages on a section of the frontline associated with the Ukrainian towns of Kostyantynivka and Pokrovsk.
Earlier today, the embassy accused the UK and Europe of using Ukraine as an “anti-Russian battering ram”.
Yesterday, Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s spokesperson said the UK supported both Kyiv and the US president’s push for peace, but not Moscow.
RECAP: Ukrainian war blogger warns offensive could be used for leverage
Tuesday 12 August 2025 16:30
,
Nicole Wootton-Cane
A Ukrainian war blogger and former army officer whose Frontelligence Insight analysis tracks the war has warned Russia’s reported offensive could be a bid by Putin to “gain leverage” prior to Friday’s meeting.
Tatarigami_UA wrote on X: "This is critical. In both 2014 and 2015, Russia launched major offensives ahead of negotiations to gain leverage. The current situation is serious, but far from the collapse some suggest.”
Please refer to my note from four days ago - this is critical. In both 2014 and 2015, Russia launched major offensives ahead of negotiations to gain leverage. The current situation is serious, but far from the collapse some suggest. So, what is actually happening on the ground? pic.twitter.com/Q37gKTOHoL
— Tatarigami_UA (@Tatarigami_UA) August 12, 2025
President Zelensky: 'An imitated peace will not hold for long'
Tuesday 12 August 2025 16:00
,
Nicole Wootton-Cane
President Zelensky has said an “imitated peace” rather than a genuine resolution “will not last for long”.
The statement follows his phone call with Turkish President Erdogan, who previously said he “welcomes” the progress in peace talks.
Posting on social media, Zelensky said he thanked the Turkish president for “supporting Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity”.
I spoke with President of Türkiye Recep Tayyip Erdoğan @RTErdogan. Our conversations are always friendly and substantive, and we feel and greatly value the sincere and warm attitude of Türkiye and the entire Turkish people toward our nation.
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) August 12, 2025
I thanked him for supporting… pic.twitter.com/5mcfR5dBVF
Ukraine sent in reserves to block "difficult" surge by Russian troops
Tuesday 12 August 2025 15:30
,
Nicole Wootton-Cane
Ukraine's military said on Tuesday afternoon that it had sent in reserves after becoming engaged in "difficult" combat near the cities of Pokrovsk and Dobropillia.
It added the soldiers had been sent to block advances by “small groups” of Russian troops.
In a statement, the General Staff said some of the groups attempting to bypass Ukraine's defensive lines in the area had already been destroyed, and that others were being engaged by Ukrainian forces.
Smoke detected near Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, Ukraine's energy ministry says
Tuesday 12 August 2025 15:23
,
Nicole Wootton-Cane
Smoke has been detected near a nuclear power plant in the cargo port of Zaporizhzhia, according to Ukraine’s energy ministry.
The port city, situated on the river Dnieper, lies in the southeast of the country and is home to the largest nuclear power point in Europe.
The map below from the Institute for the Study of War shows Zaporizhzhia in relation to Russian-controlled areas in red.
Turkey's Erdogan tells Zelensky he hopes to see "meaningful progress" towards ceasefire
Tuesday 12 August 2025 15:02
,
Nicole Wootton-Cane
In a call with President Zelensky, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan has said he welcomes the progress in peace talks.
As the pair spoke on Tuesday, he added he hoped to see “meaningful progress” toward a ceasefire, according to a statement released by the Turkish government.
The statement added Erdogan repeated an offer to host a leaders' meeting between Russia and Ukraine.
Russia's UK embassy accuses Europe of using Ukraine as 'anti-Russian battering ram'
Tuesday 12 August 2025 14:47
,
Nicole Wootton-Cane
The Russian embassy in the UK has accused the UK government of trying to “hinder a peaceful resolution”.
The post on X follows a joint statement from EU leaders on Tuesday warning that Ukraine must be involved in any peace negotiations.
It comes as Sir Keir Starmer is set to join a call with Donald Trump and EU leaders ahead of the US president’s meeting with Vladimir Putin in Alaska.
The Prime Minister reiterated his support for Ukraine on Monday, saying “any ceasefire cannot just be an opportunity for President Putin to go away, re-arm, restrengthen, and then go again”.
Responding, the Russian embassy in the UK said his statement “confirms once again the opportunistic approach of European capitals, who intend to continue exploiting Ukraine as an anti-Russian battering ram”.
Recap: Alaska governor welcomes Putin to 'most strategic location in the world'
Tuesday 12 August 2025 14:30
,
Bryony Gooch
Alaska’s governor Mike Dunleavy has said he welcomes an upcoming meeting between US president Donald Trump and Russia’ president held in his state.
“Alaska is the most strategic location in the world, sitting at the crossroads of North America and Asia, with the Arctic to our north and the Pacific to our south. With a mere two miles separating Russia from Alaska , no other place plays a more vital role in our national defense, energy security, and Arctic leadership.
“What happens in the Arctic and the Pacific impacts Alaska before the rest of the country. It’s fitting that discussions of global importance take place here.
“For centuries, Alaska has been a bridge between nations, and today, we remain a gateway for diplomacy, commerce, and security in one of the most critical regions on earth. The world will be watching, and Alaska stands ready to host this historic meeting.”
I welcome the upcoming meeting between President Donald J. Trump and Russia’s President Putin being held here in the great state of Alaska.
— Governor Mike Dunleavy (@GovDunleavy) August 8, 2025
Alaska is the most strategic location in the world, sitting at the crossroads of North America and Asia, with the Arctic to our north and…
Polish PM accuses Moscow of trying to 'drive wedge' between Warsaw and Kyiv
Tuesday 12 August 2025 14:20
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Nicole Wootton-Cane
The Polish prime minister has said Moscow is trying to ramp up tensions between Warsaw and Kyiv after controversy over a spectator waving a Ukrainian nationalist flag at a concert in Poland's national stadium.
Poland is a firm supporter of Ukraine, but some in the country have concerns over refugees crossing the border. Meanwhile, historical tensions between the two nations over World War Two massacres have resurfaced.
Many Poles were angered by footage shared on social media which showed an audience member at a concert in the National Stadium in Warsaw on Saturday waving the red and black flag of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA), a nationalist group Poland says was involved in the 1943-1945 Volhynia massacres of Poles.
However, Prime Minister Donald Tusk told a government meeting that conflict between Poles and Ukrainians would be a “gift” for Putin.
"It's truly fundamental from the perspective of Polish security that Putin not receive gifts before these talks, and such a gift for Putin would undoubtedly be conflict between Ukrainians and Poles," Tusk said.
"This is precisely the... goal of Russian agents and Russia's actions in Poland."
The Russian embassy in Warsaw did not immediately respond to an emailed request for comment from Reuters press agency.
Land swap would be illegal under Ukraine's constitution
Tuesday 12 August 2025 14:15
,
Bryony Gooch
A peace deal that requires Kyiv to cede or swap Ukrainian territory with Russia would be illegal under its constitution.
President Zelensky has rejected any deal with Moscow that could involve ceding land after US president Donald Trump suggested such a concession would be beneficial to both sides, ahead of his meeting Friday with Russian president Vladimir Putin in Alaska.
Zelensky said over the weekend that Kyiv "will not give Russia any awards for what it has done," and that "Ukrainians will not give their land to the occupier." The remarks came after Trump said a peace deal would involve swapping of Ukrainian territories by both sides "to the betterment of both."
For Zelenskyy, such a deal would be disaster for his presidency and spark public outcry after more than three years of bloodshed and sacrifice by Ukrainians.
Moreover, he doesn't have the authority to sign off on it, because changing Ukraine's 1991 borders runs counter to the country's constitution. For now, freezing the front line appears to be an outcome the Ukrainian people are willing to accept.
‘I’m going to Russia’: Trump appears to forget Alaska is in US as he frets over facing Putin
Tuesday 12 August 2025 14:00
,
Bryony Gooch
President Donald Trump appeared to mix up Russia with Alaska ahead of his meeting with Russian leader Vladimir Putin, during a White House press conference about crime in Washington, DC and his plans to deploy the National Guard and put the city’s police under his control.
Trump delivered the news from the podium in the press briefing room — joined by Attorney General Pam Bondi, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and newly confirmed DC U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro — where he decried the level of crime in Washington, DC.
“This is a tragic emergency, and it’s embarrassing for me to be up here,” Trump told reporters. “You know, I’m going to see Putin. I’m going to Russia on Friday. I don’t like being up here, talking about how unsafe and how dirty and disgusting this once-beautiful capital [is].”
Read more here:
RECAP: Ukrainians must have the freedom to decide their own future, EU member states say
Tuesday 12 August 2025 13:46
,
Nicole Wootton-Cane
The leaders of European Union member states released a statement earlier on Tuesday warning Ukraine “must have the freedom to decide their own future” ahead Trump and Putin’s meeting on Friday.
"The path to peace in Ukraine cannot be decided without Ukraine," the leaders of all EU countries except Hungary said, adding that any peace deal must respect international law, including Ukraine's independence and territorial integrity.
OSINT map investigators comment on Russia's advance towards Pokrovsk: 'The situation is quite chaotic'
Tuesday 12 August 2025 13:45
,
Bryony Gooch
After reports suggesting that Russia has surged forward near three villages on a section of the frontline associated with the Ukrainian towns of Kostyantynivka and Pokrovsk, open source investigators DeepState have said Moscow is trying to exploit Kyiv’s lack of manpower.
"The situation is quite chaotic, as the enemy, having found gaps in the defence, is infiltrating deeper, trying to quickly consolidate and accumulate forces for further advancement," DeepState said on its Telegram channel.
Nicușor Dan: 'Peace cannot be built without Ukraine'
Tuesday 12 August 2025 13:30
,
Nicole Wootton-Cane
Romanian president Nicușor Dan has said he “salutes” President Donald Trump’s efforts to end the war in Ukraine.
Posting a statement on social media, he said Romania would continue to support Ukraine.
“I salute the efforts of President Donald Trump to contribute to ending the illegal war launched by Russia against Ukraine and to building a just and lasting peace solution,” the statement said.
“I have signed, together with the other European leaders, our joint declaration that unequivocally states: peace cannot be built without Ukraine, without respecting its sovereignty and territorial integrity, and without the Ukrainian people freely deciding their future.
“We will continue to support Ukraine, together with our European and transatlantic partners, for a secure, stable, and democratic future in the region and for the defense of the values that underpin the European project.”
Salut eforturile președintelui Donald Trump de a contribui la încheierea războiului ilegal declanșat de Rusia împotriva Ucrainei și de a construi o soluție de pace justă și durabilă.
— Nicușor Dan (@NicusorDanRO) August 12, 2025
Am semnat, împreună cu ceilalți lideri europeni, declarația noastră comună care afirmă fără…
Analysis: Russian advances in Dobropillia to set informational conditions ahead of Alaska summit
Tuesday 12 August 2025 13:30
,
Bryony Gooch
The Institute for the Study of War has suggested that Russia’s advances towards Dobropillia is connected to the summit on Friday between Trump and Putin.
In a post on social media, the think tank said: “It is premature to call the Russian advances in the Dobropillya area an operational-level breakthrough, though Russian forces very likely seek to mature their tactical advances into an operational-level breakthrough in the coming days.
“Russian forces used a similar tactical penetration in mid-April 2024 to facilitate the seizure of operationally significant territory northwest of Avdiivka.
“The next several days in the Pokrovsk area of operations will likely be critical for Ukraine’s ability to prevent accelerated Russian gains north and northwest of Pokrovsk. Russia is likely focusing on advances toward Dobropillya to set informational conditions ahead of the August 15 US-Russian summit.
“ISW continues to assess that Putin is attempting to frame Russia's seizure of Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhia, and Kherson oblasts as inevitable to push Ukraine and the West to capitulate to Kremlin demands. Russia's occupation of the four oblasts is neither inevitable nor imminent, as Russian forces will face serious operational obstacles, particularly in likely multi-year endeavors in Donetsk Oblast.
“Putin likely seeks to leverage intensified tactical pushes in Avdiivka to set conditions to seek US concessions on Russia’s war in Ukraine.”
Watch: Zelensky warns Trump not to trust Putin ahead of crunch Ukraine and Russia peace talks
Tuesday 12 August 2025 13:15
,
Bryony Gooch
Russia circles major Ukrainian city of Pokrovsk
Tuesday 12 August 2025 13:00
,
Bryony Gooch
In Ukraine, a Russian missile attack on a Ukrainian military training facility left one soldier dead and 11 others wounded, the Ukrainian Ground Forces posted on Telegram.
Soldiers rushing to shelters were hit with cluster munitions, according to the Ukrainian Ground Forces. Meanwhile, Russia appeared close to taking an important city in the Donetsk region, as its forces were reported to be rapidly infiltrating positions north of Pokrovsk.
Military analysts using open source information to monitor the battles say the next 24-48 hours could be critical. Losing Pokrovsk would hand Russia an important battlefield victory ahead of the summit. It would also complicate Ukrainian supply lines to the Donetsk region, where the Kremlin has focused the bulk of its military efforts.
Ukraine's military said its forces are fending off Russian infantry units trying to infiltrate their defensive positions in the Donetsk region. The region's Ukrainian military command posted on Facebook yesterday that enemy soldiers penetrating Ukrainian lines to capture more territory "face inevitable death" but acknowledges that the situation remains "difficult, unpleasant and dynamic."
Analysis: 'Giving up territory in Donetsk would allow Russia to advance deeper into central and western Ukraine'
Tuesday 12 August 2025 12:45
,
Bryony Gooch
Elina Beketova, a fellow at the Center for European Policy Analysis, has told The Independent that the latest land swapping proposals are a cause for concern ahead of the Putin-Trump summit in Alaska on Friday.
A number of conflicting reports have suggested Ukraine may be asked to cede land in Crimea, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Donetsk.
“Even in Donetsk, Russia doesn’t control the entire region. It’s taken them 11 years to try to gain full access there, and giving up this territory would force Ukraine to abandon its fortifications and defense lines. For Russia, that would mean the ability to advance deeper into central and western Ukraine.
“That’s why this is so dangerous. Even though Ukrainians understand they can’t fully regain control of some regions right now, agreeing to such a deal would be like handing those areas to Russia as a neatly wrapped gift.”
Pictured: Open source map shows Russia circling Pokrovsk and progression east of Dobropillia
Tuesday 12 August 2025 12:30
,
Bryony Gooch
In pictures: Russian soldier raises flag following capture of Ukraine's Yablunivka (Yablonovka) settlement in the Donetsk
Tuesday 12 August 2025 12:15
,
Bryony Gooch
Recap: Putin cannot be trusted ‘as far as you could throw him’, Starmer warns
Tuesday 12 August 2025 12:00
,
Bryony Gooch