On August 22, Donald Trump delivered an address in which he commented on current US issues and the status of the Russia-Ukraine war. He responded to questions about Putin's missile strike on an American-invested facility in Mukachevo, saying he didn't like it but refrained from criticizing Russia.
Trump noted that ending the war requires more time and stressed that both Zelensky and Putin must take part in the peace process. If they fail to reach an agreement, he promised to impose certain sanctions or decisions. According to experts, Trump is awaiting the upcoming meeting in Beijing in two weeks, where China may play a role in resolving the conflict.
Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov expressed skepticism about direct negotiations with Zelensky, but Russia suggested some flexibility regarding issues raised by Trump. In Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that a bilateral meeting with Putin is no longer appropriate and instead supports a trilateral meeting with US participation.
NATO and the EU continued discussions about a system of security guarantees for Ukraine. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte announced a two-tier approach: achieving a ceasefire and additional security guarantees from the US and Europe. The Romanian Prime Minister confirmed readiness to offer bases for allied air patrols and exercises, while China signaled cautious willingness to participate in the settlement process.
Other news highlights included Hungarian PM Orban's appeal to Trump after the attack on the Druzhba oil pipeline, to which Trump responded with concern. Russia is recruiting foreign labor, and Ukraine received a new tranche from the EU for recovery. Polls show declining confidence among Ukrainians in victory, but most see retaining statehood as a key achievement.
