Statement by the President of Ukraine at a Joint Press Conference with the Federal Chancellor of Germany

13 August 2025 – 19:05

Thank you very much, Friedrich.

Thank you, Germany, for the invitation.

Today, the Chancellor and I are working in four formats. The first is our bilateral track – thank you – covering all the points we discussed regarding our bilateral relations. We are very grateful to Germany for such a substantial contribution to assistance, to strengthening our state and our security, for bolstering our air defense, and for the support from the very beginning of this war. We deeply appreciate it.

Then we worked at the level of European leaders. The third track was a conversation with the President of the United States of America. And we will conclude, after the press conference, with our format on future security – the security infrastructure for our state – namely, the Coalition of the Willing.

First of all, I want to thank all our partners for supporting Ukraine. Today, we spoke with President Trump, President von der Leyen, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, President Stubb, President of France Emmanuel Macron, President of the Council of Ministers of Italy Meloni, and the President of Poland. Since last Wednesday, there have been very intensive communications – dozens of them – among all of us: between European leaders, between Europe and the United States of America, between us and representatives of other parts of the world who seek only one thing – peace in Ukraine, peace in Europe. Today, we discussed our joint positions with the President of the United States of America. Before that, as I mentioned, there was a coordination call.

We agreed on joint principles – five principles mentioned by Friedrich. I want to thank you, Friedrich, for your leadership in this direction.

Namely: the format of negotiations – everything concerning Ukraine must be discussed exclusively with Ukraine. We need to prepare a trilateral format of talks. There must be a ceasefire – number one. There must be security guarantees – truly reliable ones. And today, by the way, President Trump voiced his support for this and the United States’ readiness to take part. Among the agreed principles is also that Russia cannot have veto power over Ukraine’s European and NATO prospects. And peace talks should be combined with proper pressure on Russia. Sanctions must be strengthened if Russia does not agree to a ceasefire in Alaska. These are effective principles. It is important that they work.

Of course, we discussed the situation on the battlefield today. I told the President of the United States of America and all our European colleagues: “Putin is bluffing.” He is trying to exert pressure ahead of the meeting in Alaska on all sectors of the Ukrainian front. Russia is attempting to portray itself as capable of occupying all of Ukraine. That is undoubtedly what they want.

Putin is also bluffing when pretending that sanctions are not important to him and ineffective. In reality, sanctions are extremely helpful and hit the Russian war economy hard. Yes, it is true that Russia has several times more weapons – including artillery, three times as much – and the like, but it also suffers three times as many losses. And that is a fact.

I told my colleagues – the President of the United States and our European friends – that Putin certainly has no intention of making peace; he wants to occupy our country. And we all truly understand this. Putin will not be able to deceive anyone. We need continued pressure for the sake of peace – through not only American sanctions, but also European ones. And together, our alliance of partners can truly stop Putin’s war.

We talked about the meeting in Alaska. We hope that the central topic of the meeting will be a ceasefire – an immediate ceasefire – as the President of the United States of America has repeatedly stated. He suggested to me that after the meeting in Alaska we have a conversation to discuss all the results – if there are any – and to determine our next joint steps.

Now we will have a meeting of the Coalition of the Willing for peace and security. This is truly our goal. This is what we are working for. Thank you to everyone who helps us! Thank you again, Friedrich!

Glory to Ukraine!

Georgia:

For the 259th day in a row, Rustaveli Avenue is blocked in Georgia. Protests continue in 8+ cities — and will continue until our pro-Russian, illegitimate regime falls.

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— Rusudan Djakeli (@rusudandjakeli.bsky.social) August 13, 2025 at 1:27 PM

On Aug 12, 22 independent Georgian media outlets went dark — a symbolic blackout to warn of the existential threat to press freedom. “The Lights Must Stay On” is their united call to protect free voices & unbiased information before it’s too late.

sinatle.media

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— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) August 13, 2025 at 8:00 AM

1/4🧵
💡”The Lights Must Stay On”, – 22 independent online #media outlets across #Georgia have united against repressive laws, impunity for police violence against journalists, and politically motivated prosecutions aimed at silencing the press.

🟩 sinatle.media

#JournalismIsNotACrime
#FreeMzia

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— Batumelebi&Netgazeti (@netgazeti.org) August 13, 2025 at 8:27 AM

2/4
⬛️ For over an hour, the outlets’ websites went dark — a stark warning of the very real threat of being forced offline.

sinatle.media
#JournalismIsNotACrime
#FreeMzia
#PressFreedom #Georgia

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— Batumelebi&Netgazeti (@netgazeti.org) August 13, 2025 at 8:27 AM

3/4
🆘 Under the campaign “The Lights Must Stay On”, the coalition is collecting domestic donations (as the “foreign agents” law blocks international funding) and raising awareness about the grave threats to free speech and a free press in #Georgia.
🧷 sinatle.media
#JournalismIsNotACrime
#FreeMzia

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— Batumelebi&Netgazeti (@netgazeti.org) August 13, 2025 at 8:27 AM

4/4
🟥Outside #Georgia?
🟩You can also donate to the campaign supporting wrongly imprisoned journalist Mzia Amaglobeli and her media outlets.
gofundme.com/f/help-free-…
#FreeMzia #JournalismIsNotACrime #PressFreedom

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— Batumelebi&Netgazeti (@netgazeti.org) August 13, 2025 at 8:27 AM

Georgian lawyers say it’s become common for 🇬🇪 citizens returning from abroad to be stopped at the border over unpaid ₾5,000 “road blocking” fines from protests.

The law used to deny entry is unclear — admin fines aren’t legal grounds to bar citizens from their own country.

— Rusudan Djakeli (@rusudandjakeli.bsky.social) August 13, 2025 at 3:25 PM

1/ A few months before the municipal elections scheduled for Oct 4, GD has released a campaign showing footage from the war in Ukraine with the caption “No to War,” contrasted on the other side of the collage with images of renovated buildings and infrastructure in Tbilisi, captioned “Choose Peace.”

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— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) August 13, 2025 at 4:50 AM

2/ An identical campaign was used by Georgian Dream ahead of the 2024 parliamentary elections. At that time, in addition to videos, the party also placed similar banners across the country.

— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) August 13, 2025 at 4:50 AM

⭕️ Journalist Mzia Amaglobeli’s final statement before being sentenced to 2 years in prison on politically motivated charges:

🗣️”Don’t give in! Don’t let my imprisonment weaken you! Do not lose hope! I believe in you!”.

#FreeMzia
#RepressionInGeorgia
#Georgia
#JournalismIsNotACrime

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— Batumelebi&Netgazeti (@netgazeti.org) August 13, 2025 at 7:04 AM

The Baltics:

Op-ed and warning from the foreign ministers of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia: “The Baltic nations know what ‘only de facto’ Russian occupation means — and that ‘temporary’ can last half a century.”
www.ft.com/content/7c57…

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— Christopher Miller (@christopherjm.ft.com) August 13, 2025 at 12:02 PM

From The Financial Times:

The writers are the foreign ministers of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia

As the critical US-Russia summit in Alaska approaches, speculation about a possible territorial “swap” between Ukraine and Russia is surfacing. There have been claims that the occupation of parts of Ukraine would be “temporary” and only “de facto”, leaving hope for their return to Ukraine in the future. History warns us to think twice. The Baltic nations know what “only de facto” Russian occupation means — and that “temporary” can last half a century.

In 1939, Stalin and Hitler agreed to divide Europe under the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact. Following that notorious deal, Soviet forces occupied and annexed Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania in 1940, carrying out mass killings and deportations. The Nazi occupation in 1941 brought another wave of repression and the Holocaust. And reconquest by Soviet troops in 1944 brought further bloodshed and terror to Baltic soil.

Many western nations never formally recognised the Soviet annexation of the Baltics, thanks in part to the principled stance of the US. But for the 6mn Baltic citizens who lived through it, international legal nuances offered no protection from daily horror.

Over 25,000 people were killed in the underground resistance, more than 200,000 were deported to Siberia to starve in Soviet concentration camps and nearly 150,000 were forced to relocate to neighbouring communist countries. Some 43,000 children were abducted from the Baltic states; many grew up without knowing their origins. As the Red Army returned in 1944, more than 300,000 Baltic citizens were forced into immediate exile. Those who stayed endured aggressive Russification, mass in-migration and oppressive state control over education, work and private life. Even 35 years after independence was restored, the scars remain.

Currently, 6mn Ukrainian citizens live under Russian occupation in the regions Russia has seized by force. Those who have escaped report torture, imprisonment, mass surveillance, propaganda and other cruelties reminiscent of the Soviet past. According to official records, thousands of Ukrainian children have been abducted and are now fostered by Russian families and in institutions that erode their identity and damage their mental health. Thousands of prisoners of war and civilian detainees face daily torture and degrading treatment. And the mass graves in Bucha and Irpin reveal mass murder has been used as the ultimate instrument of intimidation and control by Russian occupying forces.

Today, nearly 300,000 civilians still live in the areas of the Donetsk region under Ukrainian control, and about 1mn remain in those parts of the Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions where the Ukrainian flag still flies freely. The Baltic case offers a clear lesson: once Russia gains control, the cost of reversing it may be measured in decades of human suffering. “Temporary” occupation is not a holding pattern; it is a programme of systematic destruction of identity, freedom and life itself.

More at the link!

Norway:

Norwegian intelligence considers Russia the greatest threat to the country.

“Russian President Vladimir Putin sees Russia in a constant conflict with the West. At this time, Russia is the biggest threat to Norway.” – Nils Andreas Stensønes, head of Norwegian intelligence.
www.vg.no/nyheter/i/mP…

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) August 13, 2025 at 12:02 PM

Germany:

🇩🇪Germany allocates $500 million for the supply of American-made weapons to Ukraine. www.nato.int/cps/en/natoh…

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— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) August 13, 2025 at 12:50 PM

From NATO:

Germany announced today (13 August 2025) that it will fund a $500 million package of military equipment and munitions for Ukraine sourced from the United States, under NATO’s new Prioritised Ukraine Requirements List (PURL) initiative. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte welcomed the announcement as a strong demonstration of Germany’s enduring commitment to Ukraine’s defence.

“I commend Germany for stepping up once again. This delivery will help Ukraine defend itself against Russian aggression,” said the Secretary General. “Germany is the largest European contributor of military aid to Ukraine, and today’s announcement further underlines its commitment to help the Ukrainian people defend their freedom and sovereignty,” he added.

Germany’s contribution under the PURL initiative follows earlier announcements by the Netherlands, and a joint pledge from Denmark, Norway and Sweden. Each package is valued at around $500 million, and is designed to meet Ukraine’s most urgent operational requirements with equipment and munitions sourced from U.S. stockpiles.

The US:

The Russian Foreign Ministry stated that Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, Kherson regions, and Crimea are enshrined in Russia’s so-called constitution, and negotiations in Alaska will be conducted from this position.

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) August 13, 2025 at 7:00 AM

We’re living in a mad age — Putin, hunted by the ICC, will meet Trump in Alaska, with Trump fawning over him. They’ll plot Ukraine’s future without its voice, and a minerals deal may empower a war criminal. This is insane.

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— Iryna Voichuk (@irynavoichuk.bsky.social) August 13, 2025 at 3:02 PM

🤯

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) August 13, 2025 at 2:54 PM

GeoOrbanics: use whichever story fits you better in a particular moment.

Today, russia is invincible and needs to be given everything it claims asap.

Tmrw, russia is so weak that it can’t even take Donetsk oblast. It’s not a threat to NATO, the EU must stop rearming.

Hope no one will fact-check.

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— Olena Halushka (@halushka.bsky.social) August 13, 2025 at 2:26 AM

LENINGRAD😂😂😂

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) August 13, 2025 at 8:28 AM

Back to Ukraine.

Big article in The Wall Street Journal today about Syrskiy’s leadership. Those who follow me know I’ve been warning about him since 2023. It took a great deal of blood and casualties on the battlefield, and smearing of me for speaking the truth, before many finally accepted it.

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— Tatarigami (@tatarigami.bsky.social) August 13, 2025 at 1:22 AM

The article:

www.wsj.com/world/ukraine-russia-army-soviet-5fa8e1c9

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— Tatarigami (@tatarigami.bsky.social) August 13, 2025 at 1:22 AM

> operation Spiderweb was planned for may 9th but had to be postponed for a month cause Russian truck drivers kept getting drunk – head of SBU

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— Mira of Kyiv 🇺🇦 (@reshetz.bsky.social) August 13, 2025 at 3:00 PM

Donetsk Oblast:

❗️Mandatory evacuation has been announced for families with children from 14 settlements in Donetsk Oblast.

Roughly 1,150 children remain in these areas, which officials warn are under constant threat.

“Evacuate while you still can.” — Regional Administration.

— Iryna Voichuk (@irynavoichuk.bsky.social) August 13, 2025 at 8:45 AM

Donetsk region 💔

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) August 13, 2025 at 3:41 PM

Donetsk Region
A Russian drone hit a car carrying three people, causing it to run into a ditch. Police rescued two men, and rescuers extracted the third person and handed them over to medics.

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) August 13, 2025 at 6:13 AM

The Pokrovsk front, Donetsk Oblast:

Multiple Russian internet resources and pro-Russian Telegram channels report that the “corridor” from the penetration near Dobropillia is being contained, and even claim it is being cut off as a result of Ukrainian counteractions. I cannot verify this information yet but there are POW videos

— Tatarigami (@tatarigami.bsky.social) August 13, 2025 at 8:49 AM

Kherson Oblast:

WARNING!! WARNING!! GRAPHIC IMAGERY!! WARNING!! WARNING!!

Russians are cynically attacking peaceful Ukrainians. Today in the Kherson and Donetsk regions, cars and an ambulance were targeted by Russian drones, resulting in deaths and injuries.

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) August 13, 2025 at 6:13 AM

Kherson Region
An enemy drone struck a car, killing one person and injuring a woman. Rescuers extracted the deceased and took the injured woman to the hospital. Additionally, a strike on an ambulance caused a fire that firefighters extinguished.

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) August 13, 2025 at 6:13 AM

ALL CLEAR!!!!

Russian occupied Crimea:

Lots of Ukrainian drones headed for Ukraine’s Russian-occupied Crimea tonight, according to tonight’s t.me/dronbomber map, which is compiled using reports of drone activity from Russian sources. Some also heading for eastern “European” Russia as well.

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— Euan MacDonald (@euanmacdonald.bsky.social) August 13, 2025 at 5:12 PM

Satellite imagery confirms significant damage to a Russian TRLK-10 “Skala-M” radar in Crimea.

The radar was hit during the night of August 9–10, 2025, in the village of Abrykosivka.

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— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) August 13, 2025 at 4:44 AM

Kyiv:

Fighters from the 24th Separate Mechanized Brigade’s Unmanned Systems Battalion showcased multi-purpose heavy bomber drones “Magura” at an exhibition in Kyiv, which they use to destroy Russian infantry, fortifications, equipment, and to conduct remote mining.

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) August 13, 2025 at 11:57 AM

Zaporizhzhia Oblast:

/1. SBU unmasks Russian (GRU) spy network in Zaporizhzhia coordinated by priest of the Moscow Patriarchate church

During his sermons, he scouted for pro-Russian locals, justifying Russia’s armed aggression and war crimes. He later recruited promising candidates to work for Russian GRU.

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— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) August 13, 2025 at 9:11 AM

/2. The SBU first uncovered his activities after arresting a Russian artillery spotter in Zaporizhzhia (who has already been convicted). That detainee testified against the cleric, prompting the SBU to begin documenting the priest’s subversive operations.

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— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) August 13, 2025 at 9:11 AM

/3. The priest coordinated his actions with a senior agent of the Russian GRU’s 316th Intelligence Center.

Searches of the detainees uncovered phones and computers containing incriminating evidence.

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— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) August 13, 2025 at 9:12 AM

/4. At the priest’s residence, the SBU also found a Russian passport, Kalashnikov a mmunition, and bladed weapons.

The suspects remain in custody. The investigation continues to identify and prosecute all individuals connected to the Russian GRU spy network.

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— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) August 13, 2025 at 9:12 AM

Valdai, Russia:

Twelve air defense positions have been installed around Putin’s residence in Valdai.

​These are mostly Pantsir-S1 anti-aircraft missile systems on towers. A year ago, there were only two of them.

What’s up, scared?

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) August 13, 2025 at 9:17 AM

Belgorod Oblast, Russia:

Something is on fire in the Belgorod region of russia 👀🔥

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) August 13, 2025 at 8:17 AM

That’s enough for tonight.

Your daily Patron!

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🤠🤝 #песпатрон

♬ som original – 𝑷𝒆𝒅𝒓𝒂𝒅𝒂𝒔🎵

Open thread!

Peace Can Only Be Lasting with Ukraine’s Participation in Preparing the Relevant Decisions – Address by the President

12 August 2025 – 19:55

I wish you health, fellow Ukrainians!

A brief summary of today. We continue communication with our partners – for common positions, strong positions. I spoke with President Erdoğan. It was a good conversation – as always, with very well-placed emphases. I am grateful for the support of our independence, our territorial integrity, and our people. And most importantly – for supporting the position that peace can only be lasting with Ukraine’s participation in preparing the relevant decisions. I would also like to note Türkiye’s participation in our Coalition of the Willing – this is important, and we count on Türkiye’s active involvement in bringing real peace and real security closer.

I also spoke with the President of Romania and the Prime Minister of the Netherlands. There is a principled stance from European leaders – a clear statement by the European Union, 26 countries, all with us – in diplomatic work and in principled positions. It is clear who the twenty-seventh is, always against everything, just to be uniquely “against.” Still, we are in contact with everyone, presenting our arguments to all. Tomorrow, we will continue our work with the United States and with our European colleagues. Today, I also spoke with the Amir of Qatar – I thanked him for his help in securing the release of our children who had been abducted by Russia. Those are extraordinary mediation efforts – hundreds of children have been brought back. I informed him about all our conversations with partners and about possible next steps.

Today, I also held a meeting with our diplomatic team – the Office, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. We are preparing certain steps to further mobilize our partners. I want to specifically highlight our agreements with the Netherlands – one of the leaders in supporting Ukraine in Europe – and we are preparing additional measures that will strengthen us. In particular, this concerns drones.

Today, our military delivered reports about the frontline – especially Dobropillia, Pokrovsk direction. Steps have been taken there to correct the situation, and I am grateful to every unit and every one of our warriors who are now destroying the occupier. Positions in the Kharkiv region, positions in Zaporizhzhia, positions in the Sumy region – everywhere we are doing our best to provide Ukraine with exactly the kind of defense it needs.

And one more thing. There was a meeting with government officials – the Prime Minister, the Minister of Finance, and the Minister of Education. I instructed them to take several steps that could support our people – to support and give young Ukrainians genuinely greater opportunities to be here, to stay in Ukraine, to study here, and to build their future here – despite everything. We will increase scholarships starting from the new budget year. We will also simplify the admission requirements for Ukrainian higher education institutions, with government officials working in particular on the winter admission campaign. In addition, we will change the border-crossing rules so that this will be possible for young men aged 18–22. The aim is for more people to study here and for young Ukrainians who, for various reasons, are abroad to find it easier to maintain their ties with Ukraine. I thank everyone who stands with us, who stands with our state! I thank each and every one who fights for Ukraine, who works for Ukraine – for the state and the people. And I thank everyone who helps us.

Glory to Ukraine!

President Zelenskyy also addressed the attendees at the Ukrainian Youth Forum today.

President Instructed the Government to Ease Border Crossing for Youth, Simplify University Admission Requirements, and Increase Scholarships Next Year

12 August 2025 – 20:05

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy has instructed the government to simplify university admission requirements and border crossing procedures for young people, as well as to raise student scholarships starting next year. The Head of State announced this during a meeting with participants of the Ukrainian Youth Forum held to mark Youth Day.

The President congratulated the youth on the holiday, noting that when a country has millions of young people, that nation is alive and will continue to live.

“We are fighting for our state, for a sovereign Ukrainian state. Ukrainians are fighting, Ukrainians are working for defense so that the Ukrainian people can live a normal, safe, and peaceful life. Most importantly – on their own land. So that you, our young people, young generations, all those for whom Ukraine must and will be home, can do so,” the President stressed.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked the warriors, all those who have chosen to live, study, and work in their homeland, as well as those who, under any circumstances, maintain their connection with Ukraine.

The President said that in the morning he had spoken with Prime Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko, Minister of Finance Sergii Marchenko, Minister of Education and Science Oksen Lisovyi, the Office team, and the military. The state will take tangible steps to support young people.

First and foremost, this concerns admission to higher education institutions during wartime and under many difficult conditions. The Head of State instructed the government to simplify the admission process.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy also instructed the Cabinet of Ministers, together with the military command, to explore the possibility of easing border crossing for young Ukrainians. The President proposed increasing the age of men allowed to travel abroad during martial law to 22. This will help many preserve their ties with Ukraine and pursue education, primarily in their home country.

An agreement has been reached with the Prime Minister and the Minister of Finance to work on increasing scholarships for all students starting next year. In addition, the state will now expand support for those who achieve significant academic results.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy also highlighted those who engage young people in various security programs and personally participate in them.

The President presented state awards to young people who distinguished themselves while defending Ukraine in the ranks of the Defense Forces: the Orders of Bohdan Khmelnytsky, 3rd Class; the Orders “For Courage,” 2nd and 3rd Class; the Orders of Princess Olga, 3rd Class; and the Orders of Danylo Halytskyi. Awards were also given to those who have contributed to various areas of public life and have conscientiously fulfilled their professional duties.

In addition, Volodymyr Zelenskyy discussed with forum participants work with Ukrainian youth in the temporarily occupied territories, multiple citizenship, and diplomatic efforts to achieve a just and lasting peace.

“Negotiations are in any case important at the level of leaders. But talking about Ukraine without Ukraine is impossible. Therefore, the conversation between U.S. President Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin may certainly be important for their bilateral track, but they cannot decide anything about Ukraine without us,” the Head of State emphasized.

Georgia:

Day 258 of daily protests in 8+ cities across Georgia. 🇬🇪✊

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— Rusudan Djakeli (@rusudandjakeli.bsky.social) August 12, 2025 at 1:23 PM

1/ Gigauri was accused of assaulting a police officer. He was indicted under Article 353¹, Part 1 of Georgia’s Criminal Code, which carries a sentence of 4 to 7 years in prison.

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— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) August 12, 2025 at 4:58 AM

2/ However, the judge reclassified the charge, finding Gigauri guilty under Article 353, which pertains to resistance, threats, or violence against a public order officer or another representative of the authorities.

— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) August 12, 2025 at 4:58 AM

3/ The revised charge carries a penalty of a fine, house arrest for up to two years, or imprisonment ranging from two to six years.

— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) August 12, 2025 at 4:58 AM

🔴 As trials of prisoners of conscience from the pro-European #GeorgiaProtests continue, eight have been convicted by August 12 — all having pleaded not guilty.

Two pleaded guilty and sought plea deals but were sentenced without leniency. Only one was acquitted and released in court.

#Georgia

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— Batumelebi&Netgazeti (@netgazeti.org) August 12, 2025 at 5:30 AM

Latvia:

Latvia will provide at least €2 million for arms purchases for Ukraine under the PURL framework. Prime Minister Evika Siliņa announced this to reporters on Tuesday after a government meeting.
www.delfi.lv/193/politics…

— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) August 12, 2025 at 2:35 PM

The US:

The Trump administration has played down expectations of a peace deal at Friday’s summit between the US and Russian presidents, saying Ukraine would have to be party to any agreement. on.ft.com/4lm0xsD

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— Christopher Miller (@christopherjm.ft.com) August 12, 2025 at 3:22 PM

From The Financial Times:

The Trump administration has played down expectations of a peace deal at Friday’s summit between the US and Russian presidents, saying Ukraine would have to be party to any agreement.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Donald Trump’s meeting with Vladimir Putin would be a “listening exercise”, and that there was no particular outcome that Washington could predict.

“The goal of this meeting is to walk away with a better understanding of how we can end this war,” she said.

“This bilateral meeting is a bilateral meeting between one party in this two party war, right? You need both countries to agree to a deal,” Leavitt added.

She confirmed that Trump would be travelling to Anchorage, Alaska’s largest city, and there would be a “one-on-one” meeting between the US president and Putin, but did not offer further details of the summit.

The White House’s comments come amid broad concerns in Ukraine and across Europe that Trump will clinch an agreement on Russia’s terms that will be unacceptable to Kyiv.Back to Ukraine.

When asked about Russia’s interest in expanding the talks to a broader discussion about easing bilateral tensions with the US, Leavitt answered: “This conversation is focused on ending the war in Ukraine, as far as the president’s perspective goes.”

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told journalists in Kyiv on Tuesday that he believed separate meetings with the US and Russian presidents would be necessary to begin the peace process.

“We need to have three meetings — two bilateral, one trilateral. And probably, after the trilateral one, we will get a result,” he said.

More at the link.

The reality is that once Putin and Trump start the one on one bilat, anything will be possible. We saw how that went in Helsinki during Trump’s first term.

This is the most heartwarming news I’ve seen over the last days.

Dear free world, thanks for standing with us. ❤️‍🩹

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— Olena Halushka (@halushka.bsky.social) August 12, 2025 at 2:30 PM

Back to Ukraine.

In any talks, pressure must be on russia — not Ukraine. Negotiations about Ukraine must include Ukraine. Ukraine and its people are the only victims of this war. Don’t believe those twisting reality to make russia’s war look “provoked.”

— Iryna Voichuk (@irynavoichuk.bsky.social) August 12, 2025 at 1:52 PM

M134 miniguns mounted on Ukrainian helicopters used to shoot down Shahed drones.

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— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) August 12, 2025 at 6:31 AM

Pokrovsk, Donetsk Oblast:

If you look at the map around Pokrovsk, you may finally see why I’ve long been worried, about both the city and the trajectory of the war. Talk of big enemy losses, forecasts of economic collapse, or claims I’m “too negative” won’t change it. Change starts by seeing problems

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— Tatarigami (@tatarigami.bsky.social) August 11, 2025 at 8:37 PM

This is not an operational breakthrough. It is, however, a penetration of the defenses. And a penetration can turn into a breakthrough. For now, though, what we’re seeing is more of a massive “walkthrough”

— Tatarigami (@tatarigami.bsky.social) August 11, 2025 at 8:37 PM

And here’s another part of the maskirovka:

Given recent Russian gains near Pokrovsk, Putin may try to show Trump that Russia is close to trapping Ukraine’s army. Earlier this year, Trump wrote that Russians encircled Ukrainian troops in Kursk after early discussions with Putin, likely echoing arguments presented to him

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— Tatarigami (@tatarigami.bsky.social) August 12, 2025 at 12:44 PM

Kremenchuk, Poltava Oblast:

Right now, Kremenchuk in Poltava Oblast is under russian missile attack. Russia is ready to end the war, they say.

— Iryna Voichuk (@irynavoichuk.bsky.social) August 12, 2025 at 4:48 PM

Bilozerske, Dobropillia, Pokrovsk, Donetsk Oblast:

Last night, russian forces heavily bombed Bilozerske near Dobropillia, turning the city into hell on earth. Two civilians were killed, seven injured.

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— Iryna Voichuk (@irynavoichuk.bsky.social) August 12, 2025 at 6:25 AM

Last night, Russia struck a residential area in the Donetsk region with guided aerial bombs. The prosecutor’s office reports that 2 people were killed and 7 were injured in the town of Bilozerske.

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) August 12, 2025 at 4:51 AM

The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, Russian occupied Zaporizhzhia Oblast:

Occupied by Russia Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant is covered in smoke. It is unknown what is going on in there.

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) August 12, 2025 at 9:52 AM

⚠️ Zaporizhzhia NPP cargo port is probably on fire right now.

Extinguishing the fire is impossible – the entire coastline is mined. Whether there is a threat to Zaporizhzhia NPP is currently unknown.

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— MAKS 25 👀🇺🇦 (@maks23.bsky.social) August 12, 2025 at 9:46 AM

Russian occupied Zaporizhzhia Oblast:

Russians have resumed taking Ukrainian grain from occupied areas of Zaporizhzhia region to Rostov-on-Don. Despite drought and a small harvest meant for sowing and local needs, they export it to Russia to address their grain crisis — echoing the Holodomor of the last century under new occupation.

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) August 12, 2025 at 1:34 PM

Starobilsk, Russian occupied Luhansk Oblast:

💥In the Luhansk region, in the temporarily occupied Starobilsk, a Russian ammunition depot has been hit.

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) August 12, 2025 at 11:17 AM

Abrykosivka, Russian occupied Crimea:

Ukraine’s Special Operations Forces destroyed a Russian “Skala-M” radar in Abrykosivka, occupied Crimea. The system, with a 350 km range, monitored air traffic. Its destruction will significantly reduce Russia’s ability to use aircraft for striking civilian infrastructure.

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) August 12, 2025 at 8:45 AM

Bryansk Oblast, Russia:

Bryansk Region of russia. Allegedly, oil depot is on fire 🔥 🔥🔥

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) August 12, 2025 at 4:23 PM

Yelabuga, Republic of Tatarstan, Russia:

Yelabuga, Tatarstan, Russia. Another attack on a Shahed logistics hub.

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) August 12, 2025 at 8:11 AM

That’s enough for tonight.

Your daily Patron!

There are no new Patron skeets or videos today. Here is some adjacent material.

Update on this since many asked: cats who lived in this apartment complex are starting to return after the missile attack. Tatiana (in blue) lives here and is taking care of them in the courtyard. Alena brought food and medicine for her, and we will keep visiting.

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— Nate Mook (@natemook.bsky.social) August 10, 2025 at 11:46 AM

Open thread!