Russia set to launch multi-front assault, according to Zelensky

Conflict in Eastern Ukraine Continues Amid Ongoing Diplomatic Efforts and International Involvement

As of mid to late August 2025, the conflict between Russia and Ukraine remains active with ongoing military offensives, stalled but continuing negotiations, and significant international involvement.

Military Status and Recent Offensive Actions:

Russian forces have been attempting to regain operational maneuverability on the battlefield but remain hampered primarily by Ukrainian drone threats and low manpower density along key frontlines such as near Dobropillya. Tactical maneuvers have allowed limited, temporary Russian advances east and southeast of Dobropillya. Meanwhile, Ukraine has made advances near Pokrovsk and Velykomykhailivka, while Russia advanced near Chasiv Yar and Toretsk, reflecting ongoing frontline shifts but no decisive breakthroughs.

From mid-July to mid-August 2025, Russia gained around 241 square miles of Ukrainian territory, marking a slight territorial increase from the previous period. Previous Russian offensives in 2024, including a large offensive in Kharkiv, stalled after some territorial gains, but Russia continued pushing into eastern and southeastern Ukraine, especially the Donetsk region, seizing over 4,000 square kilometers since the start of the war in 2022.

Negotiations and Diplomatic Efforts:

Efforts to reach a peace deal have so far failed. Negotiations involving the United States, Russia, and European powers have not produced a resolution as of August 2025. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov insists negotiations must involve Russia directly and include all permanent members of the UN Security Council, dismissing Western security guarantees that exclude Russia.

There have been discussions, notably involving former U.S. President Trump’s administration, about peace talks and possible territorial exchanges (“land swaps”), but no concrete agreement has been reached. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy has expressed concerns over negotiations that might exclude Ukraine or disproportionately favor Russia.

Some European leaders, including French President Macron, have indicated support for security guarantees for Ukraine possibly modeled on collective security arrangements similar to NATO’s Article 5, though NATO itself is not currently poised to be involved directly.

International Responses:

The United States and NATO countries continue to support Ukraine with military and humanitarian aid, although Ukraine worries about potential freezes in U.S. aid given political changes. Russia maintains its wartime economy and has deployed tactical nuclear weapons to Belarus. The Russian government’s nuclear doctrine was modified in late 2024 to allow nuclear strikes in response to conventional attacks by allies of nuclear states, raising fears of escalation.

Russia accuses European countries of provoking aggressive escalation and rejects any security framework that excludes Moscow. Prisoner exchanges between Ukraine and Russia continue, along with investigations into alleged war crimes, such as executions of Ukrainian POWs linked to Russian troops.

Key Developments:

Chancellor Merz has organized a video conference with US President Trump before the meeting between President Trump and Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin.
The European Commission announced that it will transfer an additional 1.6 billion euros from frozen Russian state assets to Ukraine.
Ukrainian Ambassador Oleksii Makeiev warned not to focus solely on territories, but also on the affected people.
The outgoing head of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) mission in Ukraine, Jürg Eglin, described his work in Ukraine as challenging and uncomfortable due to criticism of the ICRC's work on both sides of the frontline.
The conversation between Rubio and Lavrov served to prepare for the meeting, and both sides reaffirmed their "commitment to a successful event."
The Russian army reports taking more villages almost daily in the Donetsk region.
Heavy fighting continues near Pokrovsk and Dobropillia between the Ukrainian army and Russian units.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke with Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov ahead of the meeting between US President Donald Trump and Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin.
The Ukrainian intelligence service SBU claims to have attacked a warehouse for Russian drones in the Russian region of Tatarstan.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned of new Russian offensives on three front sections, including Saporischschja, Pokrovsk, and Novopavlovka.
Ukraine denies a Russian breakthrough in this section.
Europe maintains its support for Ukraine at a high level, with around 12.6 billion euros in military, financial, and humanitarian aid flowing in May and June. This is a decrease compared to March and April, when Europe also compensated for lacking US aid.
Ukraine has reportedly recaptured two villages in the border region of Sumy, Stepne and Nowokostjantyniwka.
The situation remains tense, and fighting there is currently more intense than on other front sections.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte spoke of a possible "de facto" recognition of Russian control over occupied territories, but stressed that this must not be a legal recognition.