August 23 brought significant international and domestic developments for Ukraine. China announced its readiness to send a peacekeeping contingent to Ukraine, provided such a mission is endorsed by the United Nations. This initiative received mixed reactions in Brussels, as European countries remain cautious of possible Chinese espionage and a pro-Russian stance from Beijing.
Meanwhile, Ukraine’s Armed Forces continue to target Russian oil refineries and strategic infrastructure. Over the past week, at least four major Russian facilities were struck, and one fire has been burning for over 60 hours. These actions have partially disrupted Russia’s critical infrastructure and its military-economic capacity.
Russian attacks on Ukrainian civilians persist, with drone strikes in Dnipropetrovsk region resulting in fatalities and injuries, while shelling affected Kramatorsk and Kherson regions.
On the diplomatic front, discussions about security guarantees for Ukraine continue. President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that the first concrete proposals may appear in the coming days. Countries such as Turkey are also discussing the possible deployment of troops to Ukraine for security guarantees, but NATO as an alliance does not endorse this direction.
European leaders and experts urge the EU to act independently in pressuring Russia, rather than relying solely on the United States. Political disputes between France and Italy have arisen regarding participation in possible peacekeeping missions.
Ukraine's domestic politics are focused on upcoming elections. According to current polls, President Zelensky leads the presidential race, while a hypothetical party led by Valerii Zaluzhnyi has the highest support among political blocs.
