Overview

• The Kremlin and White House have agreed to hold a bilateral summit between President Donald Trump and President Vladimir Putin next week in the United Arab Emirates without President Volodymyr Zelensky.
• Trump has declared it unnecessary for Putin to meet Zelensky before their meeting, while Russian officials maintain there are no conditions for Ukraine’s inclusion.
• New U.S. secondary tariffs on countries importing Russian energy, including a 25% levy on Indian shipments, went into effect on August 8 as part of Washington’s leverage strategy.
• Russian forces launched drone attacks on Kharkiv overnight, underscoring ongoing hostilities despite diplomatic overtures.
• Ukraine’s leadership and European partners, backed by the United Nations, insist on a trilateral or inclusive format to ensure Kyiv has a seat at any peace negotiation table.