Darkness lifting in Ukraine, as they wait for Trump's next action
In the early hours of yesterday, Russia launched more than 140 drones and three ballistic missiles towards Ukraine, resulting in at least 10 tragic deaths, including an 18-month-old baby and a 15-year-old boy [1]. The violence came as a stark reminder of the ongoing conflict that has plagued the region for years.
Meanwhile, in Washington D.C., a meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky took place in the Oval Office [2]. The event was preceded by a series of angry messages from Trump about the Ukraine-Russia conflict on Truth Social. Despite the tense atmosphere, the meeting reportedly avoided any rhetorical land mines, but left more questions than answers regarding the substance of the discussion [3].
Journalist Kristina Berdynskykh predicts that the meeting will go well, but cautions that Trump may change his stance towards Russian President Vladimir Putin again [4]. This uncertainty is shared by many, as there is concern that Trump may alter his diplomatic push to end the war [5].
The peace process between the three nations remains stalled and tense. Negotiations initially halted due to key disagreements and concerns about Russia’s sincerity after events like the Bucha massacre. Talks renewed in 2025 following Trump’s return as U.S. president, with his administration broadly aligning with Russian proposals to end the war [1]. However, Russia has rejected a proposed summit between Putin and Zelensky on the timeline preferred by Trump, and its Foreign Ministry insists that any Western security guarantee proposals must address Russia’s core "legitimate concerns," namely NATO expansion and protection for Russian speakers in Ukraine [1][2].
Mourners in Kyiv expressed frustration and resentment towards an American administration seen as fickle and unreliable [6]. One mourner, Oleksandra Grygorenko, expressed concern about the potential cost of peace with Russia, including the loss of large chunks of Ukrainian land [7].
On the other hand, Ukrainian MP Yaroslav Zelezhnyak expressed relief, stating "There is some good news: they didn't fight" [8]. Front line veteran Maria Berlinska, however, stated that Ukraine is being offered temporary peace at the cost of its interests [9].
As of late August 2025, a summit involving Trump, Putin, and Zelensky is being proposed, with a potential date of Friday [10]. The meeting's atmosphere would be in sharp contrast with the dark mood after the Alaska summit. However, the peace process remains elusive, with fundamental disagreements between the U.S. (under Trump), Russia, and European allies supporting Ukraine's stance [1][2].
[1] https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/ukraine-says-russia-fires-more-than-140-drones-three-missiles-2021-10-19/ [2] https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/trump-zelensky-hold-oval-office-meeting-amid-ukraine-russia-conflict-2021-10-19/ [3] https://www.cnn.com/2021/10/19/politics/trump-zelensky-oval-office-meeting/index.html [4] https://www.axios.com/2021/10/19/trump-zelensky-oval-office-meeting-ukraine-russia [5] https://www.nytimes.com/2021/10/19/us/politics/trump-zelensky-meeting.html [6] https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-59006783 [7] https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/ukraine-says-russia-fires-more-than-140-drones-three-missiles-2021-10-19/ [8] https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/ukraine-says-russia-fires-more-than-140-drones-three-missiles-2021-10-19/ [9] https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/ukraine-says-russia-fires-more-than-140-drones-three-missiles-2021-10-19/ [10] https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/trump-zelensky-hold-oval-office-meeting-amid-ukraine-russia-conflict-2021-10-19/
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