‘One of the most vital days since the Soviet Union collapsed’: Russia kills civilians as Trump rules out Ukraine reclaiming Crimea or joining NATO ahead of Zelensky White House talks

Day 1,272.


Today, after the Trump and Putin summit in the United States ends
without accord  – but with certain principles for peace
seemingly agreed between them –  we look ahead to the vital
meeting between Zelensky, Trump, and European leaders in the
White House, and consider why the proposal for Ukraine to cede
Donbas would leave Ukraine strategically exposed.


We will be releasing a bonus episode immediately after the
summit.





Contributors:


Francis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). @FrancisDearnley
on X.


Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls
on X.


Roland Oliphant (Senior Foreign Analyst). @RolandOliphant on X.





Content Referenced:


In maps: Why the entire peace deal hangs on this small strip of
Ukraine (Roland Oliphant in The Telegraph):


https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/08/18/maps-why-entire-peace-deal-hangs-on-small-strip-ukraine/ 


Russia taunts Ukraine by flying US flag on front line:


https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/08/18/russia-taunts-ukraine-american-flag-front-line/ 


Telegraph Ukraine Live Blog:


https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/08/18/ukraine-russia-war-trump-zelensky-meeting-latest-news/





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