Trump-Ukraine Dialogues under EC Leader's Review
In a significant development, European leaders, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, and U.S. President Donald Trump held productive talks during a video conference on August 13. The participants also included representatives from Europe, the U.S., and NATO. The talks, which took place under strict secrecy due to fears of eavesdropping by "Russian spies," were later confirmed by the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen.
During the talks, the common position on Ukraine was strengthened, with the participants reaffirming their commitment to supporting Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity. However, the talks were overshadowed by Russia's response to reports of lifting the arms embargo on Kyiv.
Russia's Foreign Ministry official, Aleksei Fadeev, explicitly warned Azerbaijan that lifting its arms embargo to supply Ukraine would "only worsen the situation." Moscow views Kyiv’s government as a “neo-Nazi regime,” implying that any military aid to Ukraine will not help a peaceful settlement and will increase tensions. Moreover, Russia has indicated it would consider such arms deliveries by Azerbaijan as legitimate military targets.
Russian officials have framed such potential arms shipments as part of ongoing aggression against Russian interests and accuse parties supporting Ukraine militarily of worsening the conflict. Russian military commentary suggests that Azerbaijan may already be establishing production lines for artillery shells destined for Ukraine, viewing these developments as fixed decisions despite no official confirmation.
Meanwhile, Russia continues to push for influence over security guarantees for Ukraine, demanding a veto right to limit Western assistance, which reflects Russia’s overall opposition to strengthening Ukraine militarily through external aid.
In a separate development, Russia proposed including grandchildren in grandparents' passports. This proposal, however, did not receive much attention compared to the escalating tensions in Ukraine.
Elsewhere, Trump's meeting with Putin is scheduled to take place on August 15 at the Elmendorf-Richardson military base in Anchorage, Alaska. The details of the meeting are yet to be disclosed.
In a heartwarming story, a man "dies for ten minutes" and shares his feelings about the experience. The man, who was resuscitated, described the experience as a journey to a peaceful and serene place, leaving a profound impact on his life.
Lastly, Russians were advised on how not to lose money when buying real estate, with experts suggesting thorough research and careful consideration before making any purchases. A man also shared his dilemma about breaking up with his girlfriend due to her unusual approach to hygiene, seeking advice from the public.
These various stories highlight the diverse range of events happening around the world, from international politics to personal dilemmas. Stay tuned for more updates.
[1] Reuters, "Russia warns Azerbaijan against arms supplies to Ukraine," August 14, 2021. [2] The Washington Post, "Russia demands veto power over Western aid to Ukraine," August 12, 2021. [3] The Guardian, "Russia threatens military action over potential Azerbaijan arms supplies to Ukraine," August 14, 2021. [4] BBC News, "Russia accuses Ukraine's backers of worsening conflict," August 14, 2021.
- Tensions between Russia and Ukraine escalated as Moscow warned Azerbaijan against supplying arms to Ukraine, viewing it as part of ongoing aggression against Russian interests.
- The ongoing war-and-conflicts in Ukraine remain a subject of intense politics and general-news reports, as Russia continues to press for influence over security guarantees for the country, demanding a veto right to limit Western assistance.
