World
Zelensky to meet Trump in Washington on Monday after summit with Putin ends without deal
Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky will head to Washington on Monday to discuss "ending the killing and the war" with US President Donald Trump, he announced on Saturday, August 16. Zelensky said so after holding a call with Trump, during which the US leader informed him about the "main points" of his talks with Russia's Vladimir Putin in Alaska. "On Monday, I will meet with President Trump in Washington, DC, to discuss all of the details regarding ending the killing and the war," Zelensky said. "I am grateful for the invitation." Zelensky said he had a "long and substantive conversation with Trump," which began as a one-on-one talk, before being joined by European leaders. The Washington meeting is set to take place three days after Trump's talks with Putin in Alaska ended with no ceasefire announcement or apparent breakthrough to end Moscow's more than three-year-long invasion. The day after the US-Russia summit, Zelensky called for Kyiv's European allies to be involved at "every stage" of talks. He also reiterated that he would be ready for a trilateral meeting with Trump and Putin, something that Kyiv has been pushing for but which the Kremlin has been resisting. "Ukraine emphasizes that key issues can be discussed at the level of leaders, and a trilateral format is suitable for this," Zelensky said. A European Commission spokesperson said that following his talks with Putin, Trump also spoke with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. European leadeers held a second call afterwards to discuss the next steps in the Ukraine conflict, the spokesperson said.
Russia's Saratov oil refinery halts operations after Ukrainian drone strike, Bloomberg reports
An oil refinery in Russia's Saratov Oblast owned by the Russian energy giant Rosneft has halted oil intake following a Ukrainian drone attack, Bloomberg reported on Aug. 11, citing a source familiar with the situation. The refinery was hit by drones on Aug. 10, with local witnesses reporting a large fire and explosions at the facility. The strike killed one person and injured others, according to Saratov Oblast Governor Roman Busargin. The Saratov refinery has now stopped oil intake, according to Bloomberg's source. The Rosneft facility has a processing capacity of 140,000 barrels of crude per day, meaning a lengthy operational pause could impact domestic gasoline supplies. Russia has already been attempting to stabilize the gasoline market amid surging prices, which are likely also exacerbated by Ukrainian strikes on oil infrastructure. Ukraine regularly launches long-range drone attacks on industrial and military facilities in Russia. Oil refineries, which fund and supply Moscow's war machine, are frequent targets. While Kyiv rarely claims official credit for its attacks on Russian refineries, the Ukrainian military confirmed that it struck the Rosneft refinery in Saratov Oblast in February 2025. Officials have not commented on the latest reported strike. The Saratov plant is the third Russian oil refinery to cut operations this month due to Ukrainian strikes. Russia's Ryazan refinery halved its production and the Novokuibyshevsk refinery halted it completely on Aug. 2 after drone attacks, according to Reuters.
Azerbaijan and Armenia sign peace deal at White House summit with Trump
The leaders of Azerbaijan and Armenia signed an agreement aimed at ending decades of conflict as they were hosted by President Donald Trump at the White House on Friday. Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan shook hands after the US president described the event as "historic". "It's been a long time coming," Trump said of the agreement, which will reopen some key transport routes between the countries and increase US influence in the region. Azerbaijan and Armenia fought over Nagorno-Karabakh, an ethnically Armenian enclave in Azerbaijan, in the 1980s and 1990s and violence has flared up in the years since. On Friday, Trump said Armenia and Azerbaijan had promised to stop all fighting "forever" as well as open up travel, business and diplomatic relations. "We are today establishing peace in the Caucasus," Aliyev said. "We lost a lot of years being preoccupied with wars and occupation and bloodshed." Pashinyan called the signing a "significant milestone" in relations between the two countries. "Thirty-five years they fought, and now they're friends and they're going to be friends a long time," Trump said at the event. The White House said that, as part of the deal, the US will also help build a major transit corridor that will be named the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity. The route will connect Azerbaijan and its autonomous Nakhchivan exclave, which are separated by Armenian territory. In the past, Aliyev has demanded that Armenia give his country a railroad corridor to Nakhichevan. Armenia wanted to have control of the road and the Azerbaijani leader has in the past threatened to take the corridor by force. The issue has halted and stalled previous peace negotiations. Both leaders praised Trump and his team throughout the meeting: "President Trump, in six months, did a miracle," Aliyev said. Trump said he had also signed a bilateral agreement with both countries to expand energy and technology trade. The US president has sought to make peace deals between several warring countries during his second term. The summit on Friday also signifies the US expanding its influence in the region at the expense of Russia. For more than a century, the Kremlin has played the role of power and peace broker there. Most recently, Russian President Vladimir Putin himself has acted as the main mediator in the conflict. The last agreement signed by Aliyev and Pashinyan was crafted by Putin. With Trump now bringing the two countries together, Putin is largely sidelined. Moscow has worked to insert its interests into peace talks, but both sides abandoned those proposals in favour of an American solution. The announcement on Friday came shortly before Trump announced that he would meet Putin for talks in Alaska next week.
Trump orders nuclear submarines moved near Russia after 'foolish and inflammatory statements' from Medvedev
Trump orders nuclear submarines moved near Russia after 'foolish and inflammatory statements' from Medvedev Donald Trump has said he had ordered two nuclear submarines to be positioned in regions near Russia in response to threats from former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev, who said on Thursday that Trump should remember Moscow had Soviet-era nuclear strike capabilities. Trump said in a post on Truth Social: Based on the highly provocative statements of the Former President of Russia, Dmitry Medvedev, who is now the Deputy Chairman of the Security Council of the Russian Federation, I have ordered two Nuclear Submarines to be positioned in the appropriate regions, just in case these foolish and inflammatory statements are more than just that. Words are very important, and can often lead to unintended consequences, I hope this will not be one of those instances. Thank you for your attention to this matter!
Ukraine signs first Transbalkan gas deal with Azerbaijan's SOCAR
Ukraine's state-owned oil and gas major Naftogaz has signed its first deal with Azerbaijan's SOCAR to import a small volume of Azeri-origin natural gas via the Transbalkan route, it said on Monday. "For the first time, a test shipment of gas is being delivered through the Transbalkan route along the Bulgaria–Romania–Ukraine corridor," Naftogaz said in a statement on its website.
State Department approves possible sale of HAWK Phase III Missile System to Ukraine
The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Ukraine of HAWK Phase III Missile System and Sustainment and related equipment for an estimated cost of $172 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress. The Government of Ukraine has requested to buy sustainment related articles and services for the HAWK missile system, including: five-ton cargo trucks; HAWK system spare parts; refurbishment and system overhaul of HAWK air defense fire units; tool kits; test equipment; support equipment; technical documentation; training; U.S. Government and contractor technical and field office support; U.S. Government and contractor technical assistance; storage containers and equipment related to spare parts storage; MIM-23 HAWK missile spare parts and missile repair; and other related elements of logistics and program support. The estimated total program cost is $172 million. This proposed sale will support the foreign policy goals and national security objectives of the United States by improving the ability of Ukraine to provide for its own defense. This proposed sale will improve Ukraine’s capability to meet current and future threats by further equipping it to conduct self-defense and regional security missions with a more robust air defense capability. Ukraine will have no difficulty absorbing these articles and services into its armed forces. The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region. The principal contractors will be Sielman Corporation, located in Volos, Greece; RTX Corporation, located in Andover, MA; and PROJECTXYZ, located in Huntsville, AL. At this time, the U.S. Government is not aware of any offset agreement proposed in connection with this potential sale. Any offset agreement will be defined in negotiations between the purchaser and the contractor. Implementation of this proposed sale will require temporary duty travel of an estimated five U.S. Government and fifteen contractor representatives to Ukraine. There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a result of this proposed sale. The description and dollar value are for the highest estimated quantity and dollar value based on initial requirements. Actual dollar value will be lower depending on final requirements, budget authority, and signed sales agreement(s), if and when concluded.
Türkiye, UK sign memorandum of understanding on Eurofighter Typhoon cooperation
Turkish Defense Minister Guler and UK Defense Secretary Healey on Wednesday signed a full memorandum of understanding (MoU) on Türkiye’s acceptance as a Eurofighter Typhoon operator. The MoU was signed during the 17th International Defense Industry Fair (IDEF) in Istanbul, according to Türkiye’s Ministry of National Defense. “The Defense Ministers have today jointly signed a Memorandum of Understanding. This document codifies the relationship between the countries, taking them one step closer to a full agreement on Typhoon. Both Ministers welcome signature as a positive step towards bringing Türkiye into the Typhoon club and share a mutual ambition to conclude the necessary arrangements as soon as possible,” the ministry said in a statement. “The Defense Ministers of the Republic of Türkiye and the United Kingdom welcomed the opportunity to meet at the 17th International Defence Industry Fair in Istanbul today and reaffirmed the strength of the Türkiye-UK partnership. "They underscored the importance of the two countries’ longstanding defense cooperation, including collaboration through NATO and growing ties in defense industry and security. Both Ministers committed to deepening this strategic partnership in support of the Alliance’s collective deterrence,” the ministry said. “The two nations continue to make excellent progress on the export of Eurofighter Typhoon. Welcoming Türkiye as a Typhoon operator would build on the bonds of friendship developed over many decades between key NATO Allies and would be a significant step towards enhancing Türkiye’s advanced combat air capabilities. "This will mark the start of a new chapter in the Türkiye-UK partnership, working together to strengthen capability collaboration and supporting both countries' defense industries through the reciprocal purchase of world-leading equipment,” it added.
Trump says Armenia and Azerbaijan ‘pretty close’ to peace deal
US President Donald Trump has said that Armenia and Azerbaijan are “pretty close” to a peace deal. Speaking at a White House dinner with GOP senators, Trump listed his administration’s achievements in settling conflicts globally and also mentioned Armenia-Azerbaijan, emphasizing that the United States has “worked magic there.” “Armenia and Azerbaijan, we worked magic there. And, it's pretty close. If not, it's already done,” Trump said in televised remarks. Published by Armenpress, original at https://armenpress.am/en/article/1225218
EU eases Schengen visa rules for Turks; envoy urges further moves
The European Union has eased rules for Turks to use its open-border Schengen area, the bloc's ambassador to Ankara said on Friday, calling for the urgent revival of negotiations on visa-free travel for Turks. For years, Turks have complained about the EU's visa system. The EU has said the processes - managed by accredited visa agencies - have been slow due to the high number of applications and that it is discussing possible workarounds with Ankara.
Armenia to have military attaché in US
According to a decision by Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, Hrayr Geghamyan will serve as the Military Attaché of Armenia in the United States. Geghamyan will serve in this capacity as of September 23, for a period of three years, and his respective residence will be in Washington D.C., adds the aforesaid decision.
U.S. Sanctions MRB Bank in Occupied Tskhinvali Region for Involvement in Russia-North Korea Illicit Payments Scheme
On September 19, the Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctioned MRB Bank, located in the occupied Tskhinvali region, for its involvement in the network of four other entities and one individual that facilitated and supported ongoing efforts to establish illicit payment mechanisms between Russia and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK). The network helped Russia and North Korea evade sanctions, facilitating the financing of North Korea’s illicit weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missile programs and supporting Russia’s war against Ukraine. In a scheme orchestrated by the Central Bank of Russia, MRB Bank acted as an intermediary for a sanctioned Russian bank, TSMRBank, to establish a secret banking relationship with North Korea’s state-run Foreign Trade Bank (FTB). TSMRBank Vice President Dmitry Nikulin facilitated cash deposits from FTB through TSMRBank to MRB. Nikulin also organized the opening of correspondent accounts for FTB and Korea Kwangson Banking Corp. (KKBC) at MRB and coordinated with North Korean representatives to ensure the delivery of millions of dollars and rubles in banknotes to FTB and KKBC accounts at MRB. Some of the North Korean accounts at MRB were used to pay for fuel exports from Russia to North Korea. The U.S. Department of Treasury notes that “with mounting battlefield losses and increasing international isolation, Russia has become more dependent on North Korea for weapons procurement and economic cooperation.”
Ukraine joins NATO counter-drone exercise for first time
From 10 to 20 September 2024, over 450 participants from 19 NATO Allies and three partner-countries gathered in the Netherlands to test the ability of commercially available counter-drone systems to operate seamlessly together. Ukraine participated for the first time, alongside members of the private sector and research community. During NATO’s annual Counter-Unmanned Aircraft System (C-UAS) Technical Interoperability Exercise (TIE), more than 60 counter-drone systems and technologies such as sensors, drone-on-drone systems, jammers and cyber interceptors were tested live. Ukraine’s first active participation in the exercise is part of the NATO-Ukraine Innovation Cooperation Roadmap endorsed by Allied and Ukrainian Leaders at the Washington Summit. Exercises like the C-UAS TIE provide a unique opportunity to address pressing challenges together, such as drone autonomy and interoperability while also learning from Ukraine’s battlefield experience in countering small drones. Integrating counter-drone technologies into NATO’s Integrated Air and Missile Defence (IAMD) is important to the Alliance’s enhanced deterrence and defence posture. At the 2024 Washington Summit, Allies took steps to further improve the readiness, responsiveness and integration of NATO IAMD, and agreed to support the design and implementation of an integrated air and missile defence architecture for Ukraine.
Zelensky says war has 'Returned' to Russia in independence day address
"The sick old man from Red Square, who constantly threatens everyone with a red button, will not dictate any of his red lines to us. How we live, which path we take, and what choices we make will be determined only by Ukraine and Ukrainians. That is how independence works," Zelenskyy said. Zelenskyy recorded a video address from the Sumy region, near the Psel River a few kilometers from the border with Russia. "The border between an independent European state and the number-one terrorist organization in the world. 913 days ago, Russia unleashed war against us, including through the Sumy region. It violated not only our sovereign borders, but also the limits of cruelty and common sense. It was endlessly striving for one thing: to destroy us. Instead, today we celebrate the 33rd Independence Day of Ukraine. And whatever the enemy was bringing to our land has now returned to their home. And the one who wanted to turn our land into a buffer zone should think about preventing his country from becoming a buffer federation. This is how independence responds.the President said. “Ukrainians always pay back their debts. And whoever wished misery upon our land shall find it in their own home. With interest added. Whoever seeks to sow evil on our land will reap its fruits on their own territory”, Zelensky went on to say. The President thanked everyone who helps the soldiers and the Ukrainian state, everyone who lives and works so that independence works and lives. " I thank everyone who helps our warriors and our state, all those who live and work to keep our independence working and living. Our medical workers, our rescuers, our firefighters, power engineers, our volunteers and entrepreneurs, police officers and farmers, railroad workers, teachers and students. All of them. Ukrainians here, Ukrainians abroad, who help, find, send the necessary supplies, tell the world about Ukraine. And everyone who stays with Ukraine in the temporarily occupied territories. All Ukrainians whose strength has no borders, whose will is boundless. All those to whom I am immensely grateful. And today. And for each of the 913 days of this war. For the cause of each of you. For proving that independence is a cause for everyone. And it has many dimensions”, the head of the Ukrainian state emphasized.
Allies demonstrate strengthened deterrence and defence during Polish-led Dragon 24 exercise
Troops from France, Germany, Italy, Lithuania, Poland, Slovenia, Spain, Türkiye, UK and the US conducted a crossing of the Vistula river near Korzeniewo, Poland, this week (4-5 March 2024). The river crossing was part of Exercise Dragon 24, a Polish-led operational and tactical level multinational exercise and a key element of Steadfast Defender 24, NATO’s largest military exercise in decades. The river crossing was attended by Polish President Andrzej Duda and Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda. A series of exercises are taking place under the umbrella of Steadfast Defender 24, which will include 90,000 troops in total from all NATO Allies and Sweden. Steadfast Defender 24 is based on NATO’s new defence plans, and demonstrates NATO’s ability to deploy forces rapidly from North America and other parts of the Alliance to reinforce the defence of Europe. A number of high-ranking NATO officials participated in Monday and Tuesday’s media and distinguished visitors’ days, including Major General Cezary Miśniewski, Deputy General Commander of the Polish Armed Forces; Major General Randolph Staudenraus, Deputy Chief of Staff Operations at JFC Brunssum; Brigadier General Guy Foden, Commander of the NATO Very High Readiness Task Force (VJTF); Lieutenant General Piotr A. Błazeusz, First Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Polish Armed Forces; JFC Brunssum Commander General Guglielmo Luigi Miglietta and JFC Norfolk Commander Vice Admiral Douglas G. Perry.
EBRD finances Tbilisi’s solid waste management system
Bank to support Tbilisi’s solid waste management and disposal system Funding will help to set up the first waste-treatment plant in Tbilisi Loan to be co-financed by the Green Climate Fund The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is extending a €22 million loan to Tbilservice Group to improve the solid waste management and disposal system in Georgia’s capital Tbilisi. The funding will support the first waste-treatment plant in Tbilisi, as part of the city’s participation in the EBRD Green Cities programme. The loan is co-financed with concessional funding of up to €4 million by the Green Climate Fund. The project will prioritise the redirection of waste away from the sanitary landfill for comprehensive waste treatment, including mechanical-biological treatment and the recovery of recyclable materials. This will help to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions (by 72 per cent compared to the baseline) and improve the overall environment in the city. The project will also address Tbilisi’s priority needs identified under its Green City Action Plan (GCAP) and will support the implementation of a GCAP action (“solid waste action 2”) on the construction of new waste treatment facilities, in line with the strategic objective of improving the city's solid waste management system. Alkis Vryenios Drakinos, EBRD Regional Director for the Caucasus, said: “Tbilisi is one of the first pilot cities under the EBRD’s innovative Green Cities programme that was launched eight years ago. Since then, we have been cooperating with the city and the Ministry of Finance to implement several important projects to help make Tbilisi greener. Today, we are delighted to be making another pivotal step towards improving the city’s infrastructure and its people’s wellbeing.” Kakha Kaladze, Mayor of Tbilisi, said: “For years, we have been partnering with the EBRD in our quest to transition to European standards that are up to date and safe for the environment. As a result, the EBRD is funding crucial projects in our city. One such project is the construction of the first waste-treatment plant in Tbilisi, for which €26 million has been allocated. This will lay the foundation for separation in waste collection and treatment in Georgia – a very important step forward for the city’s people and for the environment.” Lasha Khutsishvili, Minister of Finance of Georgia, said: “Active cooperation continues between Georgia and the EBRD, particularly in terms of advancing green-economy initiatives. Today’s signing of the loan agreement for the Tbilisi waste-treatment project, securing a total of €26 million, marks another milestone in this collaboration. This project aims to elevate Tbilisi to European standards, ensuring environmental protection and enhancing citizens’ health. I would like to express gratitude to our partners for their support in this endeavour.” The EBRD has participated in 290 projects in Georgia to date, with overall investments totalling around €5 billion, 83 per cent of which have been in the private sector. Overall, the EBRD’s green financing in Georgia accounted for 37 per cent of its total investment volume in the country in 2023.
NATO marks the start of Exercise Steadfast Defender 2024
Exercise Steadfast Defender 24, NATO’s largest exercise in decades, began on Wednesday, January 24, 2024 as the dock landing ship USS Gunston Hall (LSD 44) departed Norfolk, Virginia, United States and following a series of operations will commence her transit across the Atlantic. The departure of USS Gunston Hall marks the first tactical movement of Steadfast Defender 24. His Majesty’s Canadian Ship Charlottetown, will depart Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada for Europe later this month. “The Alliance will demonstrate its ability to reinforce the Euro-Atlantic area via trans-Atlantic movement of forces from North America“ Planned over the course of several years, Steadfast Defender 24 will highlight NATO’s ability to deploy forces rapidly from North America and other parts of the Alliance to reinforce the defence of Europe. “The Alliance will demonstrate its ability to reinforce the Euro-Atlantic area via trans-Atlantic movement of forces from North America,” said General Christopher Cavoli, Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR). “Steadfast Defender 2024 will be a clear demonstration of our unity, strength, and determination to protect each other, our values and the rules-based international order.” Steadfast Defender 24 will take place in several locations, with associated exercises running until May 31, 2024. It will be the first large scale NATO exercise where new defence plans will be put into action. It will show that NATO can conduct and sustain complex multi-domain operations over several months, across thousands of kilometres, from the High North to Central and Eastern Europe, and in any conditions.
NATO-Ukraine Council meets, Allies pledge further air defences
The NATO-Ukraine Council met on Wednesday (10 January 2024) following recent waves of heavy Russian airstrikes against Ukrainian civilians and infrastructure. Allies strongly condemned the escalation in Russian air strikes on Ukraine, as well as Russia's use of ballistic missiles sourced from North Korea and drones from Iran. Allies have already delivered a vast array of air defence systems to Ukraine and today they reaffirmed their commitment to further bolster Ukraine’s defences. Through NATO, Allies are buying up to 1,000 Patriot air defence missiles to replenish their stockpiles as they continue to bolster Ukraine’s air defences. Germany recently delivered Patriot and Skynex air defence systems and additional missiles for IRIS-T air defences to Ukraine, and the United Kingdom is sending around 200 air defence missiles to Ukraine. Today, Allies made clear that they will continue to provide Ukraine with major military, economic, and humanitarian assistance, and many Allies outlined plans to provide billions of euros of further capabilities in 2024. Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said: “NATO strongly condemns Russian missile and drone attacks on Ukrainian civilians, including with weapons from North Korea and Iran. For a second year in a row, Putin is trying to wear down Ukraine with mass strikes, but he will not succeed. Russia’s campaign of cruelty only strengthens Ukraine’s resolve. As Moscow intensifies its strikes on Ukrainian cities and civilians, NATO Allies are boosting Ukraine’s air defences. We will continue to stand by the brave Ukrainians as they push back against Russia’s war of aggression.” Wednesday’s meeting was held at ambassadorial level and was convened at Ukraine’s request. Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg chaired the Council. NATO ambassadors and invitee Sweden were briefed by videoconference by Lieutenant General Mykola Oleshchuk, the Commander of the Ukrainian Air Force, and Deputy Interior Minister Oleksii Serhieiev. The NATO-Ukraine Council was created at the NATO Summit in July 2023 and serves as a forum for joint consultations, decision-making and activities between NATO and Ukraine.
NATO steps up Baltic Sea patrols after subsea infrastructure damage
NATO and Allies are stepping up patrols in the Baltic Sea following recent damage to undersea infrastructure in the region. The increased measures include additional surveillance and reconnaissance flights, including with maritime patrol aircraft, NATO AWACS planes, and drones. A fleet of four NATO minehunters is also being dispatched to the area. „We continue to monitor the situation closely, and we remain in close contact with our Allies Estonia and Finland, and our partner Sweden,” said acting NATO spokesperson Dylan White. “NATO will continue to adapt its maritime posture in the Baltic Sea and will take all necessary steps to keep Allies safe.” Since the Nord Stream sabotage in September 2022, NATO has enhanced patrols near critical undersea infrastructure and has promoted technological innovation – including with drones – to better detect any suspicious activity. Earlier this year, NATO created an undersea infrastructure coordination cell to deepen ties between governments, military, industry actors and NATO, and has since established the NATO Maritime Centre for the Security of Critical Undersea Infrastructure within NATO’s Maritime Command.
