USA

August 6, 2025 9:23pm

Ben Borges

Key developments on Aug. 6:

• 'Great progress was made!'— Putin, Witkoff conclude meeting in Moscow as Trump's sanctions deadline looms
• Trump signs order imposing additional 25% tariff on Indian imports over Russian oil ties to pressure Moscow into peace deal
• Zelensky, Trump hold call following

August 6, 2025 8:01pm

Ben Borges

“Our joint position with our partners is absolutely clear – the war must end. And it must be done honestly,” President Volodymyr Zelensky said.

August 6, 2025 7:16pm

Ben Borges

President Trump announced on July 14 that he was finally ready to provide additional weapons to Ukraine and impose new tariffs on Russia within 50 days – by Sept. 2 – if Russian President Vladimir Putin did not cease his illegal war of aggression and terror in Ukraine.

This gave

August 6, 2025 4:21pm

Ben Borges

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.

August 6, 2025 4:06pm

Ben Borges

As Trump’s deadline for additional sanctions on Russia looms, Robert Person, a professor of international relations specializing in Russian and post-Soviet politics, discusses why Russian President Vladimir Putin is unlikely to end the war against Ukraine in response to the threat — and what might actually motivate him to stop the aggression.

August 6, 2025 8:51am

Ben Borges

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.

August 6, 2025 6:34am

Ben Borges

President Donald Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, who had no diplomatic experience before joining the current administration, is seen as more sympathetic to Moscow than many other members of Trump’s team.

August 6, 2025 3:29am

Ben Borges

If enacted, the measures would represent the first U.S. sanctions targeting Moscow since Donald Trump returned to the presidency in January.

August 5, 2025 9:31pm

Reading Time: 3 minutes

Ben Borges

Russian President Vladimir Putin is reportedly unwilling to end the war during the summer offensive, despite an "ultimatum" from Washington. According to sources close to the Kremlin, who spoke to Reuters, Russia sees no reason to stop until it occupies four regions. The deadline for U.S. President Donald Trump's "ultimatum" is set for this Friday, yet Moscow is not seeking a truce. Putin maintains confidence in victory and doubts the impact of additional U.S. sanctions after three years of constraints. One insider stated that the military objectives outweigh the chance to improve relations with the United States. The goal involves the complete capture of the Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson regions. Only then is Putin prepared to discuss a peace agreement.

The media reports that direct talks with Ukraine in Istanbul are merely an effort to assure Trump that Putin hasn't abandoned peace. These meetings reportedly lack substantial content but have facilitated humanitarian exchanges. According to a source, despite concerns over deteriorating ties with Washington, Putin hopes for future friendship and trade restoration with the West. Halting the war while his troops advance is seen as senseless; both the populace and the military might not comprehend such a move. Furthermore, the General Staff has assured the president that the front in Ukraine will collapse in 2-3 months. An unnamed source described the prospect of fresh sanctions as "painful and unpleasant" but not disastrous. Doubts persist in Moscow regarding their potential harm, and there's skepticism about whether Trump's threats might prove empty once again.

The Kremlin cannot envision China ceasing its purchase of Russian oil and even anticipates a price hike. Trump himself admitted Russia's adeptness at evading sanctions, noting, "They're shrewd characters, and they're quite good at avoiding sanctions, so we'll see what happens," during remarks to reporters over the weekend. A source emphasized that Putin is turning away from the U.S. peace offer made back in September, entailing a full ceasefire in exchange for lifting U.S. sanctions, U.S. recognition of Crimea as Russian territory, and de facto recognition of Russia’s control over territories seized since 2022. The source called it a "fantastic opportunity" but added that ending a war is significantly harder than starting one.

Andriy Kovalenko, the head of Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council's Center for Countering Disinformation, remarked that Putin has been deceived. Kovalenko indicated that misleading forecasts typically come from his  aide Nikolai Patrushev, first deputy head of Putin’s administration Sergey Kirienko, and Chief of the Russian General Staff Valery Gerasimov. "Patrushev benefits from digging Putin deeper into the conflict in order to position his son as a successor, not to mention other kickbacks. Kirienko from Putin’s administration, too, cashes in from the war's logistics and consolidates regional authority. Meanwhile, Gerasimov knows nothing beyond warfare. As for Putin, he’s a fan of simple solutions and still trusts paper reports," explained Kovalenko.

Dmitry Peskov, the Kremlin spokesperson, stated that President Vladimir Putin is open to meeting with Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky, but only after "preparatory work at an expert level". On August 1, Putin attempted to place blame on Ukraine for stalling peace talks.

August 5, 2025 8:55pm

Ben Borges

Key developments on Aug. 5:

• Ukraine obtains classified data on Russia's newest nuclear submarine, intelligence claims
• 'Productive' phone call with Trump focused on ending war, sanctions, drone production, Zelensky says
• Three Nordic countries to fund $500 million in US weapons for Ukraine
• Russia considers air truce

August 5, 2025 7:43pm

Ben Borges

According to Bloomberg, Russian officials are exploring options ahead of a visit by U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff to Moscow this week.

August 5, 2025 5:38pm

Ben Borges

President Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukraine has already prepared a draft agreement on drones and is ready to finalize what he called “one of the strongest agreements this could be."

August 5, 2025 5:14pm

Ben Borges

As U.S. President Donald Trump trades barbs with Russian officials amid growing tensions, he has announced he may send his special envoy Steve Witkoff to Russia this week.

The visit, which Russia has yet to confirm, would likely take place on Aug. 6 or 7 — immediately before a

August 5, 2025 4:16pm

Ben Borges

“(Russian President Vladimir) Putin will stop killing people if you get (the price of) energy down another $10 a barrel. He’s going to have no choice, because his economy stinks,” U.S. President Donald Trump said.