For today, links to six reports: from Reuters, the Moscow Times, Tass, and National Public Radio; to two pieces of commentary from the Kyiv Independent; and to three interviews from NPR; others or at least headlines are accessible by clicking on their names below. (UKRAINE entry for 8-19-25 is HERE, or scroll down. WEST BANK and GAZA entries for this date are HERE and HERE, or scroll down.) — MCM
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Russia says talks on Ukraine’s security without Moscow are a ‘road to nowhere,‘ by Dmitry Antonov and Mark Trevelyan | Reuters MOSCOW —Russia said today attempts to resolve security issues relating to Ukraine without Moscow’s participation were a “road to nowhere,” sounding a warning to the West as it scrambles to work out guarantees for Kyiv’s future protection. READ MORE . . . Click HERE and HERE for reports from the Moscow Times and Tass.
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Russian troops liberate three settlements in Ukraine operation over past day — top brass. From Tass. MOSCOW — Russian troops liberated three settlements in the Donetsk People’s Republic and the Dnepropetrovsk Region over the past 24 hours in the special military operation in Ukraine, Russia’s Defense Ministry said today and a broader statement. READ MORE . . .
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Russia is turning occupied Ukraine into a giant military base, by Kollen Post, Tania Myronyshena and Yuliia Taradiuk | The Kyiv Independent Russia is turning the parts of Ukraine it occupies into a giant military base — and a potential launch pad for future aggression. READ MORE . . .
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FROM AUG. 19 Security guarantees for Ukraine explained: What’s on the table and what’s realistic? by Oleg Sukhov and Andrea Januta | The Kyiv Independent As peace talks to end the war in Ukraine gather speed toward a potential trilateral meeting between the U.S., Ukraine, and Russia, the question of what kind of security guarantees Kyiv might receive continues to loom over the flurry of diplomatic meetings. READ MORE . . .
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What challenges Europe faces in ending Russia’s war in Ukraine. Reported by Teri Schultz and A Martínez | NPR Following the meetings with Trump and Zelenskyy at the White House, European leaders have been urgently trying to figure out what they need to do next to end Russia’s war in Ukraine. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.
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John Bolton discusses what security guarantees for Ukraine might look like. Michel Martin of NPR asks former U.S. National Security Advisor John Bolton about the prospects for security guarantees in Ukraine and what they might look like. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.
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FROM AUG. 19 How Moscow views the talks between Trump, Zelenskyy and European leaders. Leila Fadel and Charles Maynes | NPR President Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and seven European leaders met to talk about ending the war that Russia started in Ukraine. A report on the view from Moscow. Click HERE to listen and read.
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FROM AUG. 19 How Ukrainians view the meeting between Trump and Zelenskyy. A Martínez of NPR asks former Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba how the meeting between Presidents Trump and Zelenskyy is being seen in Ukraine. Click HERE to listen and read.
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FROM AUG. 18 Former national security adviser Susan Rice weighs in on Trump-Zelenskyy talks. Reported by Megan Lim, Mary Louise Kelly and Christopher Intagliata | NPR Kelly talks with Susan Rice, national security advisor to President Obama, about Monday’s White House talks between President Trump and President Zelenskyy. Click HERE to listen and read.
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