(KYIV) – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has indicated that September could bring significant developments in efforts to end the war, following discussions with envoys of US President Donald Trump.
Zelenskyy spoke with Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, who are preparing a visit to Ukraine and communicating with the Russian side. The envoys had originally been expected in Kyiv in mid August, but the visit was postponed due to the threat of Russian air strikes.
“We have just spoken with the representatives of the American president, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner,” Zelenskyy said. “They are preparing for a meeting and communicating with the Russian side as well as planning a visit to Ukraine. We discussed our positions.”
The Ukrainian leader said he briefed the envoys on the changing situation on the front line and on Russian attacks. “We discussed what can be done to encourage Russia to set a course towards ending the war,” he added.
Intelligence points to Putin’s continued war aims
Zelenskyy warned that all intelligence assessments, both Ukrainian and from international partners, indicate the Russian dictator Vladimir Putin personally still wants war.
“For now, unfortunately, all intelligence assessments, both ours and those of our partners, and all signals coming from Russia indicate that the Russian leader personally still wants war, even at a time when an absolute majority of his own society would agree to stop the war along the line of contact,” Zelenskyy said.
“We will see what the representatives of the American president manage to achieve. September could bring about a lot of changes.”
Russian attacks continue across Ukraine
At least 11 people have been killed and five wounded after another night of Russian attacks on Kyiv. Tuesday marked the sixth consecutive day of Russian attacks on the capital.
Fires broke out in several parts of Kyiv sparked by falling drone debris. A raid alert sounded across most of Ukraine’s territory in the early hours of Tuesday.
One person was killed in a strike on a residential building in Boryspil, and two were killed in an attack on Zaporizhzhia.
Poland commemorates Second World War outbreak
Ceremonies were held early Tuesday to mark the 87th anniversary of the outbreak of the Second World War. Poland’s President Karol Nawrocki again called on Germany to settle the issue of war reparations for damages suffered by Poland during the conflict.
Sirens sounded just before dawn, marking the exact moment Nazi German forces launched their attack. President Nawrocki, Prime Minister Donald Tusk and Defence Minister Władysław Kosiniak Kamysz attended a wreath laying ceremony at Westerplatte in Gdańsk Harbour.
The attack at 4.45am local time on 1st September 1939 by a German battleship on a Polish military depot at Westerplatte was one of the events that initiated the Second World War. Polish troops defended the facility against enemy attacks from sea, land and air until 7th September 1939.
“I appeal from here, from Westerplatte, to the German Chancellor, to the German nation. Let us settle the issue of reparations and compensation with historical justice in mind, but also with the future in mind,” President Nawrocki said.
Prime Minister Tusk said the lessons of the Second World War must be learned and called on the free world to show solidarity with Ukraine. “Here at Westerplatte, we must say it loudly. The coming months, this autumn and winter that lie ahead may be crucial for Ukraine’s independence, but also for the security of Poland and the entire free world.”
Poland criticises Russia’s G20 presence
Poland is leading criticism of Russia’s invitation to the G20 finance ministers’ meeting in the United States. Polish Finance Minister Andrzej Domański said he was unhappy to see Russia represented, although he recognised the right of G20 hosts to invite guests.
“Our position is crystal clear. Russia is an aggressor and Russia is going with the very brutal war in Ukraine and with no doubt the presence of Russia here in Asheville in the US is no sign of any normalisation of our relations,” Domański said. “We strongly condemn all moves of Russia and Poland is very vocal while pressing for more sanctions on Russia.”
He added: “We believe that the aggressor must pay for what they are doing right now. We believe that reconstruction of Ukraine must be funded from frozen Russian assets.”
Suspected sabotage behind fires in Poland
A fire that broke out at a warehouse on Kasprzaka Street in Lublin, Poland on Sunday was the result of a sabotage operation by foreign intelligence services, according to the latest revelations. A similar fire at a facility in Skarżysko Kamienna is also being investigated as a possible act of sabotage by foreign actors.
The fire in Lublin broke out shortly before 3pm local time on Sunday at a two storey warehouse on Kasprzaka Street. Although plumes of dark smoke were visible from many kilometres away, there was no need for evacuation and no one was hurt.
The warehouse, which belongs to a company producing aircraft parts, was reportedly set on fire as part of a sabotage operation carried out by foreign intelligence agencies. Polish prosecutors are also investigating a fire at the WB Electronics factory in Skarżysko Kamienna, started deliberately using a device containing flammable materials.
NATO fighters activated after Latvia alert
A NATO Baltic air policing mission briefly activated jet fighters in Latvia after a warning was issued of a possible air threat in the country’s airspace near the town of Ludza, close to the Russian border.
Finland also restricted air and maritime traffic close to Russia on Tuesday morning. The latest alerts come just two days after Moldova’s defence ministry reported that a foreign aircraft briefly entered Moldovan airspace from the direction of Ukraine’s Odesa region.
On Sunday, a military radar from Romania detected an aerial target near its border with Ukraine. Many European countries have had their airspace violated on numerous occasions in recent months, including an incident during which a Russian drone crashed into a Romanian apartment building in May.
UK tightens sanctions enforcement
The UK is stepping up pressure on shadow financial systems allowing Russia to circumvent sanctions. Finance Minister John Healey announced doubled penalties for breaching sanctions.
On Monday, the UK National Crime Agency issued a nationwide alert targeting the Kremlin backed A7 network, which the British government said was used to route funds, finance procurement and exploit foreign banking systems to evade restrictions.
The alert aims to prevent Russian attempts to regain access to global financial systems. Healey has doubled the maximum fine available to the UK’s Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation from 50 to 100 per cent of the value of a sanctions breach.
Trump reviews Falkland Islands position
US President Donald Trump has indicated he is reviewing Washington’s position on the Falkland Islands, in a move that could be used as leverage to pressure UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s government to increase defence spending and NATO contributions.
The US officially remains neutral on sovereignty and has long recognised British administration of the islands. Trump’s comments follow reports that US officials have warned their stance could be reconsidered if London fails to meet defence spending commitments.
Any change would be a significant symbolic setback for Britain, which regained the islands after Argentina’s 1982 invasion with strong diplomatic backing from the US. A 2013 poll showed 99.74 per cent of Falkland Island voters wanted the territory to remain part of Britain.
Trump weighs next steps on Iran
Trump told reporters on Monday “we’ll see what happens” when asked about his next move in the ongoing conflict with Iran. His comments follow a sudden escalation during which US forces bombed two rocket launchers on Iran’s Larak Island, while the IRGC claimed to retaliate by attacking US bases in the region.
“They’re a failed nation. They’ve got 350 percent inflation. They have no currency. They’re not paying their soldiers. Their leaders are largely dead. Their navy is gone. Their air force is gone. Their surveillance equipment is almost entirely gone. That doesn’t mean we won’t smack them. We’ll see what happens,” Trump said.
He added: “We have the Strait of Hormuz in extremely good shape. Many, many ships got through last night with the Navy’s assistance. And we’ve been averaging 30 ships a night.”
US Army Secretary resigns
US Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll has handed his resignation to the White House following months of tensions with Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth. He is expected to leave his post in the coming days.
Reports of Driscoll’s plan to leave first surfaced in August. According to sources, Driscoll frequently clashed with Hegseth over army readiness and transformation, with Hegseth blocking those efforts by firing responsible generals.
Under Secretary Mike Abadell, a retired army colonel and special operations aviator, will likely step in as acting army secretary.
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