On August 29, the latest developments in the war between Ukraine and Russia, including front-line updates, humanitarian and economic effects, and international diplomacy, were summarized.
Key points: Putin is refraining from leaving peace talks, valuing ties with Donald Trump. The Ukrainian delegation including PM Yuliya Sveredenko has arrived in New York for talks with Trump’s envoy Steve Vitkoff. President Zelensky has pledged to continue supporting Trump’s peace initiatives. Meanwhile, the war continues — 25 people were reported killed in Kyiv after a Russian attack, including four children.
The Ukrainian Armed Forces carried out strikes on Russian military infrastructure and equipment, including in Crimea. Near Putin’s residence in Krasnodar Krai, a major forest fire broke out after a drone incident.
On the front, Russia has concentrated a large force near Pokrovsk, and the situation is difficult in Zaporizhzhia. Two Ukrainian Navy sailors died after a Russian strike on a ship; several crew remain missing.
On diplomacy: discussions center around security guarantees for Ukraine (keeping a large army, Western funding and arms, retaining sanctions, using frozen Russian assets for rebuilding). There is also debate about a potential buffer zone and further deterrence of Russian aggression.
Turkey’s Foreign Ministry said Russia has softened its territorial demands — the Kremlin reportedly no longer insists on full control over four Ukrainian regions, and talks now focus on freezing current front lines.
International updates: Belgium pledges extra military aid for Ukraine, EU continues buying Russian LNG, Turkey closed its airspace to Israeli aircraft, Russia officially entered recession, and over 220,000 Russian service members have been killed in the war.
Zelensky also commented on allowing men aged 18–22 to temporarily leave Ukraine for studies, denying a mass exodus of young people.
Reactions of international leaders, the end of USAID, and the outlook for further Ukraine-Russia diplomacy were discussed.
