On September 17, former US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania arrived in the United Kingdom for a two-day official visit, which includes meetings with the King, Prime Minister, and other leaders. Talks are expected to cover various international topics, including efforts to end the Russia-Ukraine war.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated he is ready to meet with Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin without preconditions, urging the US and Europe to focus more on Ukraine’s needs during the ongoing conflict.
Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the presence of 100,000 Russian troops and 10,000 units of equipment in Belarus as part of the "Zapad-2025" military exercises. This significant deployment has raised questions about potential Russian intentions and NATO’s response.
During the night of September 17, Russian drones targeted infrastructure in Ukraine’s Cherkasy and Kirovohrad regions, leading to power outages and delays in passenger rail traffic. Ukrainian Railways deployed reserve locomotives to minimize disruptions.
The Trump administration has approved initial US military aid packages for Ukraine under a new scheme financed by European NATO members. Two shipments, each valued at $500 million, aim to strengthen Ukraine’s defense capabilities.
Zelensky emphasized the importance of training foreign military personnel in Ukraine. He suggested that Polish soldiers could receive hands-on training from Ukrainian forces based on their experience repelling drone attacks.
The European Union is preparing a new round of sanctions against Russia, targeting crypto assets, banking, and the energy sector. In parallel, Hungary regained full visa-free travel status with the US, and India is boosting domestic fuel sales after being affected by EU sanctions.
Domestically, Zelensky met with lawmakers to discuss the situation at the front and warned of possible tough decisions if the conflict deteriorates. Further government meetings are scheduled for October.
