Fighting in Ukraine shows no sign of slowing, even as peace talks gain momentum.
Russia claims it downed 117 Ukrainian drones in a single day, while Ukraine says it intercepted 230 Russian drones and missiles.
Strikes in Ukraine’s Sumy region injured 14 people, including children.
Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump pushes new peace efforts with Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelensky, but scepticism runs deep in Kyiv and across Europe.


War Rages as Peace Remains Elusive | Russia, Ukraine Report Mass Drone Shootdowns | GRAVITAS

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian is holding talks in Armenia about a corridor project near the border with Iran, which Iran had recently vowed to block due to concerns over a potential US presence in the region.


Armenia Assures Iran Will Control Border Corridor  Post 'Trump Corridor' Deal | WION

Kremlin plays down Zelensky talks as Trump warns Putin may not want 'to make deal'


Earlier bilateral meeting between Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelensky seemed broadly unanimous

However, Russian Foreign Minister cautioned about contacts involving ‘top officials’

Putin started the Ukraine war by recognizing a chunk of Ukrainian land as independent


Russia-Ukraine War: Why Putin Is Not Ready To Meet With Zelensky, And May Never Be

The Trump administration debuts its official TikTok account, leveraging the platform's massive U.S. user base to promote the president’s agenda and reach young voters. The move comes despite past national security concerns over TikTok's Chinese ownership.

White House joins TikTok | Trump’s first post: "I am your voice"

The U.S. and NATO have begun drafting long-term security guarantee options for Ukraine after Trump pledged support in a future peace deal. Plans under consideration include deploying European troops under U.S. command—but not under NATO’s banner. Discussions are ongoing amid continued Russian drone strikes and mounting global pressure.

Russia-Ukraine war: NATO military leaders to meet, discuss Ukraine's security

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem says the U.S.-Mexico border wall will be painted black—on direct orders from President Trump. The goal? To make the wall too hot to climb and discourage illegal crossings. The move also aims to reduce rust, says Border Patrol.

Mexico-U.S. border: 'Southern border wall to be painted black' | Kristi Noem: 'Trump’s idea'

President Trump rejects provision of U.S. pilots and warplanes as part of security guarantees for post-war Ukraine as he pushes for an end to Russia’s war against the country.


Russia-Ukraine war update: Putin’s meeting promise to Zelensky | U.S. won’t send ground troops

President Trump is floating providing U.S. pilots and warplanes as part of security guarantees for post-war Ukraine as he pushes for an end to Russia’s war against the country.


Russia-Ukraine War: US Rules Out Sending Troops to Ukraine as Security Guarantee | WION

S & P Global Has Kept Its U.s. Sovereign Rating,
Citing the Resilience of the American Economy and Robust Tariff Revenues.
But President Trump’s Claim That Tariffs Will Pay Down America’s 37 Trillion Dollar Debt,
And Even Fund Citizen Dividends,
Is Drawing Sharp Criticism.
Treasury Data Shows a Wide Gap Between Political Promises and Fiscal Realities.

S&P says tariffs offset Trump’s spending plans 

In a dramatic escalation of political tensions, Senator John Cornyn says the FBI has agreed to assist in locating over 50 Texas Democratic lawmakers who fled the state to block a controversial redistricting vote. The lawmakers' coordinated walkout denied Republicans the quorum needed to move forward with redrawing Texas’ 38 congressional districts—an effort closely aligned with President Donald Trump.


Texas Redistricting Plan: Democrats Return to Texas, Vow to Take Redistricting Battle to Court | WION

Zelensky Says He is Ready to Hold Elections, Lays Out Conditions for Fresh Polls | Race To Power
Zelensky Says He's Open To Election In Ukraine, If Safe

Zelensky Says He is Ready to Hold Elections, Lays Out Conditions for Fresh Polls | WION

On the eve of critical White House talks, Donald Trump told Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelensky he could “end the war almost immediately” if Kyiv drops NATO ambitions and abandons Crimea.
The remarks mirror Putin’s demands and come as European leaders rush to Washington to prevent Ukraine from being forced into concessions.
Meanwhile, Russia escalates attacks, with drone strikes killing civilians in Kharkiv.
Is Zelensky Being Forced to Pay the Price for Defeat?

WATCH: Russian President Putin Had Proposed Meeting Zelensky in Moscow 

 In the land of polished podiums sharp suits and strained diplomacy. The white house remains a stage not just for policy but for performance. Behind the curtain of diplomacy are awkward photo-ops and unexpected phone calls.


Zelensky-Trump meet: behind the scenes and smiles at the White House

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday (August 19) said that although he has a "good relationship" with Russian President Vladimir Putin, it will only matter if they get things done, referring to the peace deal and ending the Russia-Ukraine war. Trump, during an interview with Fox and Friends, noted that he has good ties with Putin, but it should lead to a peace deal to end the killings in Ukraine.&nbsp;"Otherwise, I don't care about the relationship," the US president said.&nbsp;He further said that both Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will need to show they are willing to end the conflict prompted by Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.&nbsp;"I hope President Putin is going to be good, and if he's not, it's going to be a rough situation," Trump said. "And I hope that Zelenskyy, President Zelensky will do what he has to do. He has to show some flexibility also."&nbsp;Further stressing his relationship with Putin, Trump spoke about the "warmth" in his ties with the Russian president. He said that he spoke with Putin away from Western leaders as it would be "disrespectful" to him to have them in the room.&nbsp;Trump said a call with Putin on Monday took place separately from European leaders. "I didn't do it in front of them," Trump said. "I thought that would be disrespectful to President Putin. I wouldn't do that because they have not had the warmest relations."&nbsp;The US president said that "despite the 'Russia, Russia, Russia' hoax," he maintained "a very good relationship" with Putin.&nbsp;"I mean, you saw that when he got off his plane, I got off my plane, there's a warmth there that you can't ... you know, there's a decent feeling," Trump said, referring to the Alaska summit which happened last week. "That's a good thing, not a bad thing."

Trump stressed that he shares good relationship with both Zelensky and Putin, but they need to show that they are willing to the war. This comes after the US president held meeting with the Ukrainian president on Monday, along with the European leaders.

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday (August 19) said that although he has a "good relationship" with Russian President Vladimir Putin, it will only matter if they get things done, referring to the peace deal and ending the Russia-Ukraine war. Trump, during an interview with Fox and Friends, noted that he has good ties with Putin, but it should lead to a peace deal to end the killings in Ukraine. "Otherwise, I don't care about the relationship," the US president said. He further said that both Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will need to show they are willing to end the conflict prompted by Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. "I hope President Putin is going to be good, and if he's not, it's going to be a rough situation," Trump said. "And I hope that Zelenskyy, President Zelensky will do what he has to do. He has to show some flexibility also." Further stressing his relationship with Putin, Trump spoke about the "warmth" in his ties with the Russian president. He said that he spoke with Putin away from Western leaders as it would be "disrespectful" to him to have them in the room. Trump said a call with Putin on Monday took place separately from European leaders. "I didn't do it in front of them," Trump said. "I thought that would be disrespectful to President Putin. I wouldn't do that because they have not had the warmest relations." The US president said that "despite the 'Russia, Russia, Russia' hoax," he maintained "a very good relationship" with Putin. "I mean, you saw that when he got off his plane, I got off my plane, there's a warmth there that you can't ... you know, there's a decent feeling," Trump said, referring to the Alaska summit which happened last week. "That's a good thing, not a bad thing."

Trump stressed that he shares good relationship with both Zelensky and Putin, but they need to show that they are willing to the war. This comes after the US president held meeting with the Ukrainian president on Monday, along with the European leaders.

'Otherwise I don't care': Trump says 'good relationship' with Putin only matters if it ends Ukraine war - See what US prez said

A crucial meeting between Trump, Zelensky, and European leaders has concluded, with a key takeaway being the potential for direct talks between Vladimir Putin and both Zelensky and possibly Trump.


Putin-Zelensky Meet | Zelensky: Issue of Territories Must Be Left Between Him & Putin | WION

Top Headlines of the Hour:

- Kyiv: Russia Returns Bodies of 1,000 Troops
- Rains Bring Mumbai to Pause
- Google to Pay $36Million Fine
- Pakistan Floods: Nearly 400 Dead
- Fire erupts in Indonesia oil well, 3 dead
- Watch Terrifying eye of Hurricane Erin
- Spain Wildfires

Trump: I Want to End War in Ukraine | US: Hurricane Erin Forces Evacuations | WION Headlines

BREAKING | Trump-Zelensky Meet: Trump Talks About Brokering Zelensky-Putin Meeting

US President Donald Trump has said that he has ended possible nuclear disaster and has claimed that He Ended Six Wars in Six months. Watch the video to know more updates on this!


Donald Trump says ended possible nuclear disaster, claims he ended six wars 

During their recent meeting, U.S. President Donald Trump presented Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky with a detailed map of Ukraine, highlighting areas under Russian control. Watch the video to know more on this!


Trump-Zelensky meet: Trump, Zelensky discuss Ukrainian map at summit 

Flamingo, Ukraine’s 3,000km-range Game Changer Missile Which Can Hit Deep Inside Russia 

During their recent meeting, U.S. President Donald Trump presented Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky with a detailed map of Ukraine, highlighting areas under Russian control.


Trump-Zelensky Meet: Trump Shows Ukraine Map to Zelensky Highlighting Putin’s Control 

U.S. President Donald Trump has expressed support for Russian President Vladimir Putin’s demand over the Donbas region in Ukraine, sparking international debate amid the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict.

Russia-Ukraine War: Zelensky To Lose Donbas? Why Is It So Important To Putin?

Trump-Zelensky Meet: Trump Shows Ukraine Map to Zelensky Highlighting Putin’s Control

U.S. President Donald Trump's approval ratings have dropped to just 40%. The lowest level of his second term in office. It comes at a time when Trump is facing growing pressure both domestically and internationally.

U.S: Donald Trump’s Approval Rating Drops to Lowest Level of His Second Term

During the latest meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, the atmosphere was markedly different from their previous encounter.


Trump-Zelensky Meet: Duo Strike A Different Mood From Last Meet 

During the latest meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, the atmosphere was markedly different from their previous encounter.

Russia-Ukraine War: Trump And European Leaders Press Putin To Agree To Meet Zelensky

During his visit to the White House, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed his gratitude to U.S. President Donald Trump multiple times, saying “thank you” eight times in his remarks. 


Which 6 Wars Did Trump Claim To Have 'Ended' In The Last Six Months?

During his visit to the White House, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed his gratitude to U.S. President Donald Trump multiple times, saying “thank you” eight times in his remarks. 

Russia-Ukraine War: Zelensky 'Ready' For Putin Talks As Europe Welcomes Security Guarantees

 Financial markets moved within narrow ranges early on Tuesday, with global stocks holding steady near their record highs. This comes after Donald Trump’s meeting with Ukraine’s president and European leaders ended with a call for a summit with Russia.

Asian Stocks Look Subdued Ahead Of Jackson Hole This Week

trump

Trump, News on Trump, stories on Trump, articles on Trump, Trump stories at Wion, Trump news, Trump latest news