Russian President Vladimir Putin has laid out a number of demands that he would require to stop his country's war against Ukraine. Most of these demands are non-starters for Ukraine, analysts say. Russia has demanded a full Ukrainian withdrawal from Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts, de jure recognition of the occupied territories as Russian, a special status for the Russian-backed church and the Russian language in Ukraine, Kyiv's demilitarization, and a ban on Kyiv's NATO membership. In exchange,

As U.S. President Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, prepare to meet face-to-face in Alaska on Aug. 15, Ukraine is left to watch the talks that could shape its future. "It's not entirely clear what happens next," a source in the President's Office told the Kyiv Independent. "But it's clear that we're about to be a little bit sold out." Earlier in the day, in a closed-door meeting with journalists, attended by the Kyiv Independent, President Volodymyr Zelensky seemed caut

According to the sources, the memorandum permits the Pentagon to reclaim weapons produced for Ukraine under the U.S. Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI) and return them to U.S. stockpiles.

"They (Russian troops) are now regrouping for further attempts, but remain positioned in Donetsk Oblast," said Victor Tregubov, spokesperson of the Dnipro group of forces.

The proposed deal is aimed at freezing the conflict and laying the groundwork for a ceasefire and technical negotiations toward a final peace settlement, the news agency reported.

According to the source, two explosions near the unit's checkpoint killed at least 12 Russian soldiers and injured dozens more. Russian military equipment was also destroyed, they added.

Ukrainian law enforcement detained two minors recruited by Russia who carried out a terrorist attack in Zhytomyr city earlier this week, killing one man and seriously injuring another, the Security Service of Ukraine announced on Aug. 7.

"This step will help ensure transparency and legality in the work of enlistment offices' teams, as well as protect the rights of both sides," Defense Minister Denys Shmyhal said.

"As in May 2025, the only plan that can be the subject of discussions and approval by the Ukrainian public is a joint plan from Europe and Ukraine," the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology read.

Preparations for the meeting are underway, and the venue has already been agreed upon, Russian foreign policy aide Yuri Ushakov said.

"Viktoria was one of those who spoke the truth about the war. She worked on the front lines and in temporarily occupied territories, risking her life," President Volodymyr Zelensky said.

"I just want to make sure that his (Dmitry Medvedev's) words are only words and nothing more than that," U.S. President Donald Trump said.

The recent Russian attack damaged two houses, a market, a shop, and administrative building and several cars, Donetsk Oblast Governor Vadym Filashkin said.

Ukrainian forces downed 45 out of the 53 drones, including Shahed-type attack drones, rocket-powered drones and decoys, launched by Russia overnight, the Air Force reported.

The online newspaper Ukrainska Pravda reported that hundreds of protesters joined the rally, while police put the number at 80. The police then arrested some of the demonstrators.