Key events on day 1,271 of Russia’s war on Ukraine:
Here is the current situation as of Monday, August 18:
Politics and Diplomacy
- Several European leaders announced they will join Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to meet with US President Donald Trump to discuss ending Russia’s war on Ukraine.
- The leaders joining Zelenskyy include Chancellor Friedrich Merz, President Emmanuel Macron, Prime Minister Keir Starmer, President Alexander Stubb, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte.
- White House envoy Steve Witcoff said Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed to “robust security guarantees” for Ukraine, a decision he called “game-changing.”
- Zelenskyy welcomed the announcement, emphasizing Europe’s role in developing the security guarantees.
- Macron stated on Monday that European leaders will ask about Washington’s level of participation in the security guarantees. Macron also remarked that only Russia is proposing a peace that resembles capitulation.
- Von der Leyen welcomed the proposal, stating that the coalition including the EU is ready to contribute its part.
- Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs rejected Macron’s capitulation claims as “an abject lie.”
- Witcoff also mentioned that Russia made concessions regarding five Ukrainian regions.
- Secretary of State Marco Rubio said a ceasefire is still on the table but the goal is to end the war. Trump mentioned aiming for a peace agreement without a prior ceasefire.
- Trump posted on Truth Social about “BIG PROGRESS ON RUSSIA,” but provided no further details.
Fighting
- Russian forces’ attacks in Ukraine’s Donetsk region killed five people and injured four, according to the regional governor.
- A Ukrainian drone strike injured four people at a commercial facility in Russia’s Belgorod region.
- TASS reported that Ukrainian forces struck 13 locations across Belgorod, using drones and munitions.
- Russian forces shot down aerial bombs and drones in the past day, according to TASS.
- The Ukrainian Armed Forces claimed to have cleared the city of Pokrovsk and advanced in the Sumy region.
