There was no address today from President Zelenskyy. He had a call with Trump and is preparing to travel to the US tomorrow to meet with Trump in person on Monday.
The bottom line up front:
Lasting peace is impossible without justice.
— Olena Halushka (@halushka.bsky.social) August 16, 2025 at 8:45 AM
Europe’s most solid security guarantee today is the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
It’s in Europe’s best interest to ensure the AFU have everything they need in time to defeat the russian imperial conquest.
— Olena Halushka (@halushka.bsky.social) August 16, 2025 at 2:10 PM
The details of the Trump-Putin summit have begun leaking out. They’re as bad as we were expecting.
Trump told European leaders that a peace deal could be reached quickly if Zelenskyy agreed to cede the entire Donbas region – NYT
In return, Putin reportedly offered a ceasefire along the current front lines and a written promise not to attack Ukraine or Europe again. (LOL)
— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) August 16, 2025 at 10:11 AM
This is actually an excellent summary of recent events.
— George Conway 👊🇺🇸🔥 (@gtconway.bsky.social) August 16, 2025 at 9:07 AM
Here’s an easier to read screen shot of the Truth Social post:
Thus, it appears Trump has dropped his earlier demand for an immediate ceasefire before peace talks—a position Ukraine had previously accepted—and now supports negotiations on a lasting peace while fighting continues, a stance the Kremlin has consistently pushed since the last Istanbul talks.
— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) August 16, 2025 at 5:32 AM
Thank you for your attention to this matter!!!!
Putin is, of course, rubbing Trump’s nose in it:
Putin said he seeks a swift resolution to the war “by peaceful means” and claimed his meeting with Trump “brought the sides closer to the right decisions.” However, he again insisted that addressing the so-called “root causes” of the war must be the basis for any settlement.
— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) August 16, 2025 at 11:34 AM
I will once again remind everyone that for Putin, the root causes of the war is that Ukraine exists separate from Russia and that Ukrainians refuse to become subordinated to Russia as lesser Russians and second class Russian citizens. For Putin, the only way to address the root cause of the war is to give Ukraine to Russia.
As are his information warfare folks:
Ouch. But this was 100% ordered and directed by the U.S. Commander in Chief, not something the Russians did to us.
— David Burbach (@dburbach.bsky.social) August 16, 2025 at 1:18 PM
So both Putin and Trump went to an AF Base in Alaska. Each had a set of demands. Trump accepted all of Putin’s demands and then said he would convince Ukraine and Europe to accept them. And both then went home. Do I have this right?
— Josh Marshall (@joshtpm.bsky.social) August 16, 2025 at 3:21 PM
The main impression of the Trump-Putin meeting is that Trump is subservient to Putin.
Putin offered no ceasefire & as expected Trump ignored that he had promised “severe consequences” in that case.
God help Zelensky when he faces Putin’s servant in the White House!— Anders Åslund (@andersaslund.bsky.social) August 16, 2025 at 9:58 AM
Georgia:
Day 263 of daily protests in Georgia.
People continue to gather daily in 8+ cities.
— Rusudan Djakeli (@rusudandjakeli.bsky.social) August 16, 2025 at 1:09 PM
#GeorgiaProtests
Day 263— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) August 16, 2025 at 2:54 PM
— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) August 16, 2025 at 12:46 PM
Two more protesters, Tornike Toshkhua & Minda Shervashidze, were arrested in Georgia. They confronted a pro-gov’t provocateur who showed up with a knife—yet police jailed them, not him. The man is linked to Bera Ivanishvili-linked call centers that scam Europeans out of millions.
— Rusudan Djakeli (@rusudandjakeli.bsky.social) August 16, 2025 at 1:02 PM
— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) August 16, 2025 at 5:00 AM
The EU and the UK:
EU and UK leaders rule out any limits on arms supplies to Kyiv or rejection of Ukraine’s integration into the EU and NATO, according to a joint statement.
— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) August 16, 2025 at 5:49 AM
The US:
Some political pundits are already sharing this image as an example of how Putin should be dealt with. Unfortunately, it’s a terrible example. Ukraine was repeatedly warned not to escalate or use weapons while Russia occupied Crimea. At that time, we didn’t receive military aid, sanctions were weak
— Tatarigami (@tatarigami.bsky.social) August 16, 2025 at 12:23 AM
2/ At that time, John Kerry, Barack Obama, and Joe Biden directly pressured Kyiv, while Oleksandr Turchynov, the temporary/acting president, was assured that a diplomatic resolution was possible
— Tatarigami (@tatarigami.bsky.social) August 16, 2025 at 12:23 AM
3/ The response was so weak that Russia continued its operations in eastern Ukraine, including Kharkiv and Odesa. It only stopped when Ukrainians pushed back with force. President Obama’s handling of the situation does not deserve praise.
— Tatarigami (@tatarigami.bsky.social) August 16, 2025 at 12:23 AM
Before anyone asks, Tatarigami is 100% correct here. The strategic calculus among Obama and his senior natsec team was straight up the textbook/war college seminar answer: We’re not going to risk going to war with another nuclear power over Crimea or the Donbas. That was the strategic calculus. I know because to my eternal shame & damnation, I’m the one who made the same statement in the first Operational Planning Team meeting we held at US Army Europe on this. While that was the technically correct answer, it was the morally incorrect one. It was also the incorrect one in terms of the reality that was Putin & Russia in 2014, let alone 2025. The only comfort I have is that the decisions were going to be made in DC not Wiesbaden. But that’s little and cold comfort at best. My job was to give the senior leader I was advising the best, timely, most accurate information to inform his planning & decision-making. The bottom line is I failed him, my colleagues on the staff, the American people who paid my salary, and the Ukrainians that day. So you can trust me when I say that was the strategic calculus being used by the National Command Authority back in DC.
Scoop: Putin demanded Ukraine withdraw from Donetsk region as condition for ending Russia’s war but told Trump he could freeze the rest of the frontline if his core demands were met.
w/ FT comrades Amy Mackinnon @maxseddon.bsky.social @chassnews.bsky.social
www.ft.com/content/6b0b…— Christopher Miller (@christopherjm.ft.com) August 16, 2025 at 9:56 AM
More: Trump told Zelensky that Putin appeared open to talks over returning small parts of the Sumy & Kharkiv regions occupied by his army to Kyiv’s control. But the official dismissed the offer as unserious, since Russia’s grip on those areas is minimal.
www.ft.com/content/6b0b…— Christopher Miller (@christopherjm.ft.com) August 16, 2025 at 3:24 PM
Another source said Zelensky welcomed Trump’s apparent willingness to offer US security guarantees to Ukraine but said their extent was yet to be determined. The two presidents will discuss the matter further on Monday. www.ft.com/content/6b0b…
— Christopher Miller (@christopherjm.ft.com) August 16, 2025 at 3:24 PM
Those guarantees would not be worth the paper they’re written on.
Don’t forget, Putin has been trying to seize Donetsk and Luhansk since 2014.
Nothing like rewarding a war criminal for an illegal, 11+ year invasion
— Nina Jankowicz (@ninajankowicz.com) August 16, 2025 at 11:12 AM
The fact Trump thinks this is good progress, & that he is urging Ukraine & its European allies to negotiate on this basis without even demanding a ceasefire now, shd finally convince European leaders to ignore the US & do what’s needed for their own security – ie ensure Ukraine wins & Russia loses.
— Ian Bond (@cerianbond.bsky.social) August 16, 2025 at 11:45 AM
“Trump on Saturday split from Ukraine and key European allies after his summit with Putin, adopting Putin’s plan for a sweeping peace agreement based on Ukraine ceding unoccupied territory to Russia, instead of the urgent cease-fire Trump had said he wanted before the meeting.”
— Iryna Voichuk (@irynavoichuk.bsky.social) August 16, 2025 at 10:26 AM
We’ve got some press leaks following yesterday’s Trump-Putin summit, and everything’s unfolding exactly as expected. Let’s walk through it:
(Long thread)
1/..
— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) August 16, 2025 at 2:35 PM
-Putin asked Trump to recognize Crimea, Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia as part of Russia.
-He also wants to grant the Russian language “official” status.
And to guarantee “security for Russian Orthodox churches.”
2/..
— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) August 16, 2025 at 2:35 PM
But the real kicker?
-“Trump has dropped his demand for an immediate cease-fire and believes a rapid peace treaty can be negotiated, so long as Mr. Zelensky agrees to cede the rest of the Donbas region to Russia, even those areas not occupied by Russian troops.”
3/..
— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) August 16, 2025 at 2:35 PM
In return, Putin reportedly offered a ceasefire along current front lines and a written promise not to attack Ukraine or Europe again. That’s all per the New York Times.
4/..
— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) August 16, 2025 at 2:35 PM
This is Putin’s usual wishlist, and it’s a non-starter. Ceding territory violates Ukraine’s constitution. And let’s be clear: he’s not just asking for land, he’s asking for the most fortified part of Ukraine. Cities like Kramatorsk are real fortresses.
5/..
— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) August 16, 2025 at 2:35 PM
Handing them over would be handing Russia a launchpad for something much worse. As for that “written promise”? That’s laughable. We’ve had a dozen of those. They’ve never stopped Russia.
6/..
— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) August 16, 2025 at 2:35 PM
Axios reports that the American side believes Putin may be open to negotiations over Sumy and Kharkiv. But Russia occupies very little in those regions. They’re offering scraps in exchange for a feast.
7/..
— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) August 16, 2025 at 2:35 PM
Important to remember when reading about suggested land swaps: these aren’t just land swaps. They’re people swaps. Lives. Futures. That’s what Trump is bargaining with.
8/..
— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) August 16, 2025 at 2:35 PM
According to Clash Reports, Zelenskyy has already rejected the idea of ceding Donbas-Which was expected.
9/..
— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) August 16, 2025 at 2:35 PM
Bottom line: it’s the same old Russian demands. In fact, they are so old that it feels like Trump hasnt pushed at all, just listened. They are unrealistic as ever. But I don’t think Trump grasps just how far-fetched they are. Ukraine will say no.
10/..
— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) August 16, 2025 at 2:35 PM
And when that happens, Trump may lash out again, blaming Ukraine for Russia’s war.
Which is why Zelenskyy’s visit to Washington on Monday has me on edge. We all remember how badly these meetings can go.
11/11- end
— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) August 16, 2025 at 2:35 PM
Trump appears to have achieved nothing from his bizarre & unprepared invitation of war criminal Putin.
1. Most important was that Trump received Putin subserviently. That says more about Trump than Putin.
2. Trump recognized Russia as the superpower it no longer is. /1— Anders Åslund (@andersaslund.bsky.social) August 15, 2025 at 8:29 PM
3. Trump implied the Kremlin view that the war in Ukraine is really between Russia & USA, implying that it is a proxy war & not a war of Russian aggression against Ukraine.
4. The press conference implied nothing was achieved. /2— Anders Åslund (@andersaslund.bsky.social) August 15, 2025 at 8:30 PM
6. But he achieved no ceasefire.
7. Even so, he did not impose any new sanctions on Russia that he had promised.
8. Can anybody take Trump seriously after this nonsense? /3— Anders Åslund (@andersaslund.bsky.social) August 15, 2025 at 8:30 PM
US media report that documents marked as State Department materials—allegedly containing Trump-Putin summit details—were found in a public printer at an Anchorage hotel. NPR says plans included a lunch in honor of “His Excellency Vladimir Putin” and a bald eagle statue as a gift.
— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) August 16, 2025 at 1:37 PM
We are NOT clean on OPSEC!!!!
Back to Ukraine.
Here’s the Ukrainian air defense tally for last night:
Overnight, Russian forces attacked Ukraine with a ballistic missile and 85 drones; air defense shot down 61 drones. A missile and 24 drones hit 12 locations. Frontline areas in Sumy, Donetsk, Chernihiv, and Dnipropetrovsk regions were targeted.
— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) August 16, 2025 at 3:13 AM
Dobropillia, Donetsk Oblast:
Russian missile stuck in the ceiling of one of the apartments of the 5 story building in Dobropillia, Donetsk region. Fortunately, it did not detonate. 🤯
— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) August 16, 2025 at 9:25 AM
Ukrainian soldiers from the Kholodny Yar Brigade released footage of clearing operations near Dobropillia, where they stopped and blocked a Russian breakthrough. The unit regained control of Hruzke and Vesele using reconnaissance, drones, artillery, and ground combat robots.
— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) August 16, 2025 at 3:04 AM
Russian occupied Soledar:
Ukrainian forces, with support from the 30th Brigade, destroyed a Russian brigade command post in occupied Soledar with a precision airstrike. Radio intercepts confirm casualties, and Russian troops are still clearing the rubble.
— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) August 16, 2025 at 9:48 AM
Slobozhansky, Kharkiv Oblast:
On the Northern Slobozhansky axis, Russian forces tried to move an artillery piece by truck across a river using a destroyed bridge. Ukrainian soldiers from the 47th Magura Brigade’s reconnaissance company, working with a partner unit, quickly disrupted the attempt.
— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) August 16, 2025 at 9:06 AM
The Kursk cross-border offensive:
On the Kursk axis, UA_REG TEAM drone operators chased Russian troops on a quad bike. The Russians tried to escape but lost control and crashed. Another occupier was eliminated while attempting to flee with a somersault, and two more were taken out in the field.
— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) August 16, 2025 at 8:13 AM
Ryazan Oblast, Russia:
WARNING!! WARNING!! GRAPHIC IMAGES!! WARNING!! WARNING!!
The death toll from the explosion at the Russian gunpowder plant “Elastik” in Ryazan region has risen up to 11, at least 10 more people are missing. Another 130 people are injured.
— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) August 16, 2025 at 3:19 AM
ALL CLEAR!!!!
Belgorod Oblast, Russia:
Drones struck a substation in Rakitnoye, Belgorod region, Exilenova+ reports.
— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) August 16, 2025 at 12:34 PM
Bryansk Oblast, Russia:
Higher-quality satellite images show the aftermath of the strike on the Unecha oil pumping station in Bryansk region, published by Ukrainian OSINT analysts Dnipro Osint.
— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) August 16, 2025 at 9:33 AM
Volgograd Oblast, Russia:
Some smoke in oil refinery in Volgograd, Russia. 👀🔥
— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) August 16, 2025 at 9:28 AM
That’s enough for tonight.
Your daily Patron!
There are no new Patron skeets or videos today. Here is some adjacent material.
💙😻 A massage from a brother in arms after a combat mission is simply magical!
— Vitalis Viva (@vitalisviva.bsky.social) August 16, 2025 at 3:49 PM
Open thread!
Adam L Silverman
I’m going to go watch rugby. I’ll try to check back in later.
Gin & Tonic
So the “territory exchange” is Putin takes Ukrainian territory, and in return lets Ukraine keep Ukrainian territory. Oh, and I’ve also read that he’s OK with allowing the Ukrainian language to be taught in Ukrainian schools.
Such magnanimity.
So it’s exactly as was predicted: Trump will present Zelensky with demands no Ukrainian President could possibly accept, and then get furious with him for not accepting them.
Jay
Thank you, Adam.
Nukular Biskits
flyby:
Thanks Adam. Your SME & analysis are always appreciated.
Jay
Adam Cohen (My Personal Views Only)
@axidentaliberal.bsky.social
Follow
It gets worse
Trump just fully capitulated to Putin-dropping his demand for a ceasefire and telling Ukraine to give up the Donbas
America never looked weaker-welcoming a war criminal, letting him dictate terms and then having the president do his bidding
Zelensky is walking into a trap on Monday
George Takei
@georgetakei.bsky.social
· 9h
A tale of two vibes.
August 16, 2025 at 10:43 AM
Everybody can reply
311 reposts
14 quotes
740 likes
75
325
Sally
I am nobody, but I think that limo ride was more for a) Show, b) VP to wear a bug to have everything said on record. Did VP look happy!
Professor Bigfoot
Putin had EVERYONE buffaloed about how powerful the Russian military was.
EVERYONE.
In hindsight we can see what we couldn’t then.
Not to your shame or damnation— NOBODY gets everything exactly right all the time.
And Putin is a KGB trained intelligence officer. He’s a wily, cunning, evil MF with the training and education to maximize them.
Professor Bigfoot
@Gin & Tonic: And yet, he cannot not go; because “who knows, maybe the horse will sing.”
I am embarrassed as an American for this shit, G&T. I know that’s damned little comfort, but goddamn. I feel soiled.
Chetan Murthy
@Sally: Comrade Krasnov can’t have his performance review when other Americans are around. So I have read, the schedule originally planned for one-on-one time, but that was removed. So the limo ride was the only one-on-one time during which Putin could deliver Krasnov’s review.
Chetan Murthy
William Spaniel’s assessment of the Alaska “dummit” ( youtube.com/watch?v=GkEKX2oCeds ) argues that any cease-fire that grants Putin any concessions will only cause him to rearm and return to war. He makes a pretty convincing case using (haha) “lines on maps”.
Jay
@Professor Bigfoot:
People in the know, did not buy the “ruZZian Army” bs.
They did not buy the “wonderwaffen” bs.
There however, was a vested interest in “selling the bear” all through out the “food chain”.
hotshoe
America has had 11 more years of peace than I expected: those 11 years since Putin’s people invaded Crimea. When I first heard, I phoned my family: I didn’t foretell nuclear war but I certainly did expect Europe/US armies to respond against the aggressors. Everyone had their own guesses, could have turned out to be another Viet Nam, or WWIII, who knew. Surprise: no response, and Putin got the message that he could do whatever he wanted if he picked the right moment.
Well, we don’t get to go back in a time machine and take a different course of action. Clearly I have no way of knowing IF … IF Europe/US had vigorously pushed back, would we have ended up with a decade of peace, only better than now, with Ukraine intact, with no kidnapped children? OR would we have ended up with a decade of open war plus terrorism with bombs exploding in every capital city of Europe … IF …
Whatever would have resulted differently IF Obama had acted against Russia, today I feel that I would rather have the risk of WWIII than this whatever-war which Putin has just won against my country. Without firing a shot on American soil, he has conquered the US govt, and has emboldened rightwing dictators all around the world. I’m depressed angry and ashamed.
MinuteMan
A massage and then maybe some acupuncture?
Sally
I was pleased to see that it was noted that the Ukrainian oblasts are not terra nullius. People, primary industries, valuable resources, culture, language. I get so sick of repeating this with acquaintances who say land for peace. It also would not be peace. Why is it believed these people should have no say, no agency ? They voted to remain Ukrainian. They voted for Zelenskyy.
Eolirin
@Gin & Tonic: That was definitely Putin’s objective here, but there’s no accounting for dementia. Trump seems increasingly swayed by the last person who’s talked to him, and even Fox News coverage of this hasn’t been positive. We could see some weird reversals.
It’s a shitty thing to have to pin one’s hopes to, and Europe desperately needs to start moving faster on getting away from reliance on US security guarantees in light of the extremely erratic and unstable position Trump is putting them in.
But the inability to trust Trump to honor his word cuts both ways here.
Chetan Murthy
@Sally: reddit.com/r/popculturechat/comments/vnhkcg/hello_ukraine_beyonc%C3%A9_performing_during_the/
Beyonce played in Donetsk in 2009.
Chetan Murthy
I’m struggling to think of a case where Trump has shafted Putin. As they used to say back in 2015/6: Trump takes every side of every issue except one: Putin. On that issue, he is always onside.
Jim Appleton
So this is all your fault?
wjca
Dateline Alaska — Trump displays the master negotiator chops that let him contrive to go bankrupt running a casino.
(Admit it, that’s seriously hard to do.)
Adam L Silverman
@Jim Appleton: No it is not. But I did contribute, in my own way, to this ongoing failure.
Westyny
Thank you, Adam.
Chetan Murthy
@Adam L Silverman: This war has been going on so long it’s all starting to blur. I have this memory that in the waning days of the Obama admin, we were still putting conditions on Javelin antitank missile deliveries, that Ukraine could not use them in the Donbass: they had to be stored in Western Ukraine.
Smiling Happy Guy (aka boatboy_srq)
FFOTUS makes Chamberlain look like a genius warlord able to terrify the Third Reich into submission.
way2blue
Adam. I know I’ve asked this before. And I’m pretty sure you answered. But. The minerals ‘deal’ that Trump pressured Ukraine to agree to—in exchange for a steady flow of weapons support (?!). With the pitch that if Americans were harvesting Ukrainian mineral wealth in the east—Putin wouldn’t dare attack… Has that disappeared in a puff of smoke?
[Just sent $$ to United24/St Javelin this morning. A small note of support for Ukraine.]
Sister Inspired Revolver of Freedom
Thank you Adam.
matt
That thing the Russians did contrasting their troops with US troops would sting more if their army hadn’t just spent the last 4 years being completely owned by Ukraine. I’d definitely bet on US troops against their rabble of terrified conscripts.
Professor Bigfoot
@Jay: “People in the know” who knew more and better than the entire US intelligence establishment don’t matter.
It was a systemic failure.
Ella in New Mexico
Fuck that make Trump go see the horror he’s helping Putin inflict on a good and decent people.
Biden went there, is Trump too chicken to go as well?
wjca
Unquestionably. Trump’s level of cowardice is hard to overstate.
He swoons over “tough guys” in part because he wishes he was one. But he knows all too well that he isn’t, and never was.
AlaskaReader
Thanks Adam