Overview

• The two-week window President Donald Trump set for progress toward a Putin–Zelenskyy meeting elapsed with no announced action, with Trump saying he was “very disappointed” in Vladimir Putin.
• Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov said any durable peace must formalize “new territorial realities” and include guarantees such as a neutral, non-aligned status for Ukraine, while saying talks are expected to continue.
• Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported a new Russian troop buildup on parts of the frontline and said Ukraine faced 150 drones overnight with further strikes through the day.
• The Kremlin reiterated there was no agreement for a leaders’ meeting after the Alaska summit, and the ICC warrant for Putin continues to constrain potential venues despite some hosts offering assurances.
• On the battlefield, Russia has concentrated operations in Donetsk and stepped up aerial attacks, with 629 weapons launched on 28 August that killed civilians and damaged EU and British Council buildings in Kyiv.