The war in Ukraine 2025-08-18

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Today’s meeting in the USA with Zelenskyy, Trump, and leaders from Europe could determine the future of Ukraine.

The aftermath of the meeting in Alaska shows that the USA has completely sided with Putin and is now doing everything they can for him to come out of the war as a victor.
For example, Witkoff is ecstatic that Putin “allows” the USA and Europe to provide security guarantees to Ukraine, as if Putin should be consulted about it at all. Trump has been clear that Ukraine will be forced to give up territorial areas, but it’s difficult to extract exact details other than Crimea. He has also emphasized in capital letters that Ukraine cannot become members of NATO.
No NATO but security guarantees? We know how that turned out last time.

As suspected, it turned out exactly as we feared, Trump, as mentioned, sounds like Putin is dictating the terms for peace and is now putting all the pressure on Ukraine to accept them.
“President Zelenskyy of Ukraine can end the war with Russia almost immediately, if he wants to, or he can continue to fight.” Very generous of Trump to let Zelenskyy decide for himself what he wants to do.
So far, we haven’t seen any threats from Trump regarding what he plans to do if Zelenskyy doesn’t agree to Putin’s terms, but rest assured they will come if he deems it necessary.

I have a strong feeling that today’s meeting with Trump, where Zelenskyy is joined by Merz, Macron, Starmer, Meloni, Ursula von der Leyen, Rutte, and Stubb (possibly even more) will be crucial in determining the direction the war and peace process will take in the future. Sure, direct decisions might not be made, but it will likely become quite clear whether Trump and Putin will get their way or if Europe and Ukraine dare to resist.

Europe has the opportunity to step forward and truly show that they stand behind Ukraine and understand what is ultimately best for both Ukraine and Europe, but actually for the whole world. Allowing Putin to once again get away with another war and all the war crimes committed sends a clear signal to the world that it is OK to do as one pleases, as long as there is enough to back it up. Taiwan, for example, is in a precarious position. How can Trump justify an intervention there if he doesn’t lift a finger for Ukraine?

I truly hope that those participating from Europe’s side will show backbone and have prepared thoroughly in advance with a clear message that they have agreed upon and will stick to.

As I said, I believe today’s meeting will be a crucial moment where the direction for Ukraine’s and ultimately Europe’s future will be determined.

Russian losses 2025-08-18:

  • 940 KWIA
  • 2 Tanks
  • 5 AFVs
  • 43 Artillery systems
  • 1 MLRS
  • 157 UAVs
  • 116 Vehicles & Fuel tanks

SLAVA UKRAINI

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32 thoughts on “The war in Ukraine 2025-08-18”

  1. 205

    Still strong in the newly awakened Kupyansk, Kramatorsk (Slobozhansky) wakes up after a long period of inactivity, Pokrovsk up to early summer heights.

    N Slobozhansky-Kursk 4

    S Slobozhansky 13💥↗️

    Kupyansk 12💥↘️

    Lyman 21💥↘️
    Siverskyi 5
    Kramatorsk 5↗️
    Toretsk 9💥↗️

    Pokrovsk 58💥💥💥↗️
    Novopavlivka 28💥💥
    Huliaypillia 0
    Orikhivsk 1
    Dnipro/Prydniprovsky 4

  2. 205

    Russian strike on Kharkiv kills 3, including toddler, injures 17 as Zelensky arrives to Washington to meet with Trump. Russia launched a wave of missile and drone attacks against Ukrainian cities late on Aug. 17, mere hours before President Volodymyr Zelensky is scheduled to meet for peace talks with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House. https://kyivindependent.com/as-zelensky-travels-to-washington-for-peace-talks-russia-hits-ukraine-with-ballistics

    ‘Negotiation can begin where the front line currently stands’ — Zelensky says ahead of meeting with Trump. “We need real negotiations, and that means they can begin where the front line currently stands. The line of contact is the best line for negotiations,” Zelensky wrote on social media following a meeting with members of the so-called “coalition of the willing.” https://kyivindependent.com/negotiation-can-begin-where-the-front-line-currently-stands-zelensky-says-ahead-of-meeting-with-trump

    Trump says no NATO path or Crimea return for Ukraine as Zelensky comes to Washington for peace talks. Zelensky cautioned that any new deal must prevent Russian President Vladimir Putin from using concessions as a “springboard” for another attack, citing Russia’s seizure of Crimea in 2014. https://kyivindependent.com/zelensky-arrives-in-washington-to-meet-with-trump-says-war-must-end-quickly-and-reliably

    Top European leaders to join Zelensky for Trump talks. According to the German government, the discussions will cover the state of peace efforts, security guarantees, territorial questions, continued support for Ukraine, and maintaining sanctions pressure. https://kyivindependent.com/zelensky-arrives-in-washington-to-meet-with-trump-says-war-must-end-quickly-and-reliably

  5. MacMelmac

    Trump may very well start to act if China moves against, for example, Taiwan.
    The difference is that China is the enemy of the USA purely economically, whereas the EU is nothing.
    In reality, I believe that both the USA and China see Russia as a source of raw materials and not as a superpower. The fact that they then threaten war against all their neighbors is of no concern to them, they do not care, they do not threaten them (at least not yet).
    The USA is only interested in measuring itself against a superpower.

    I just hope that Putin’s maneuvering will eventually go too far, so that they become enemies with one of them.

    1. MXT

      I don’t feel 100% certain about it. I’m starting to suspect that Trump wants to stay away from all major conflicts where he doesn’t know in advance that it’s safe to participate, and that he is mainly interested in favorable economic deals.

      Taiwan would obviously negatively affect the USA today both economically but of course also in terms of geopolitical security. If China takes Taiwan, they gain much greater control in the region. 

      The USA talks about standing up for democracy, but it’s obvious it’s just talk. If Ukraine were to become Russian, it wouldn’t affect the USA significantly, but of course it’s a whole different story with Taiwan.

      I actually think you are right, but I’m not completely sure about it if it were to escalate.

      But if one were to defend Taiwan, I don’t think it has to do with challenging a superpower, but rather that Taiwan is both strategically important and a key supplier of electronic components that would take years to replace (if one doesn’t want to buy them from China once they take over, but what is manufactured for military purposes one should not want to buy).

      I have long hoped that Putin would provoke Trump, but it seems more like they are getting closer every day, except for a few statements from Trump where he pretends to be tough and then it just falls flat.

  8. 205

    This could just as well be a response to MacMelmac above, but at the same time a comment on the blog.

    How can Trump justify an effort there if he doesn’t lift a finger for Ukraine?

    In the radio program Correspondents China, the panel agrees that it is by no means certain that Trump will support Taiwan in a conflict. Taiwan, which manufactures data chips that should be made in the USA, is a cost. At the same time, Trump is aiming for a summit with Xi Jinping. Comment: So, if one interprets Trump’s recent actions, in such a meeting Trump is sacrificing Taiwan, just as he is now sacrificing Ukraine. The difference is that Taiwan does not have an alternative partner next to the USA? Or Australia/NZ, Japan, Europe, India, and others?

    Listen from 08:15 and a few minutes onwards:
    https://www.sverigesradio.se/avsnitt/sa-dog-romansen-mellan-kina-och-usa

    Foreign Affairs also had an article about a new world order where Trump, Xi Jinping, and Putin divide the security policy sphere of interest among themselves. Over the heads of Europe and the rest of the world.

    The Rise and Fall of Great-Power Competition

    Trump’s New Spheres of Influence

    Stacie E. Goddard

    https://www.foreignaffairs.com/united-states/trump-rise-and-fall-great-power-competition

    1. MXT

      Interesting that, like me, they are also not entirely sure what would happen if China were to attack.

      More and more people seem to be discussing that Trump wants to cooperate with Russia and China to divide the world into three parts.

  9. Fram i Natten

    ryzland should leave ENTIRE Ukraine!
    Anything else is completely unacceptable.

    Absolutely crazy to even consider letting thieves keep stolen goods!!!!

  13. T23

    I also reacted to Witkoff’s comment about Russia now “allowing” security guarantees. As if they would have anything to say about it 🤬

    The question is whether Witkoff even understood RU correctly in this? He couldn’t even name the regions RU wants to claim (https://www.yahoo.com/news/trump-envoy-accused-not-knowing-134001605.html). Wasn’t there also a bit of confusion the other day where he seemed to think that RU had agreed to give up a couple of areas in exchange for others, when in fact it was more about RU wanting areas they hadn’t even taken control of?

    The security guarantees from 1994 really worked out well too 🙄

     

    1. MXT

      Yes, it doesn’t even seem like everyone understands what Putin has agreed to.
      I’m borrowing the expression from the other blog, it really is a “shitshow”.

  14. MXT

    “Volodymyr Zelensky and the other European heavyweights will today demand clear answers from Donald Trump on how the USA actually stands on providing Ukraine with security guarantees in a peace deal, reports the Financial Times.

    Trump and his American counterparts have made vague statements on the issue. Trump’s colleague Steve Witkoff has said that Vladimir Putin accepts that the USA can provide such guarantees, without explicitly stating the US position on it. According to sources from Politico, Trump himself reportedly said in a phone call that the USA can provide such guarantees with some exceptions, without specifying further.

    Europe is now demanding answers on what such a promise actually means in practice if Russia attacks again. Yesterday, Zelensky wrote on X that all promises must be “very concrete” and promise protection on land, in the air, and at sea.

    On Monday, the German government also emphasizes that the USA’s role in maintaining Ukraine’s future security must be discussed in Washington today, according to Reuters. The talks will begin at 6 p.m.”

  15. MXT

    Countries in Europe are ready to send 50,000 ground troops to Ukraine to guarantee the country’s security after a peace agreement with Russia is in place. This is according to security policy sources for the Finnish evening newspaper Iltalehti.

    The forces would be led by a Western general and serve as a deterrent to ensure that Russia does not continue its illegal invasion, according to the information. The ground forces would also be supported by air and naval combat forces as well as by the USA.

    In this way, Ukraine would be guaranteed to retain its political autonomy, even if it is forced to give up a large part of its territory.

    Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen confirms that Finland will definitely provide military security guarantees to Ukraine after the war. Putin disregards agreements and military power is “the only language that Russia understands,” she tells Iltalehti.

  16. MXT

    Enormously much blood on their hands? Perhaps time to go to Russia and protest.

    “Activist Greta Thunberg is outside Norway’s largest refinery in Mongstad together with 150-200 demonstrators from Extinction Rebellion, reports the Norwegian Bergensavisen.

    The protest is directed against the state-owned oil and gas giant Equinor and the industry as a whole.

    – Norway has enormously much blood on its hands, says Thunberg in an interview with Bergensavisen.”
    https://omni.se/greta-thunberg-deltar-i-stor-oljeprotest-i-norge/a/qP5on0

  17. MXT

    If it were possible to entice Trump with the Nobel Prize and thereby get him to arrange for Ukraine to regain all its land AND get Russia to return the kidnapped children AND pay compensation to Ukraine as compensation for all the killings and injuries and everything they have destroyed, I could also consider that.

    “Donald Trump’s rival in the 2016 presidential election, Hillary Clinton, will nominate the president for the Nobel Peace Prize if he manages to end the war in Ukraine without the country having to give up territory to Russia.”
    https://omni.se/clinton-kan-nominera-trump-till-fredspriset/a/rPQape

  18. MXT

    Smoothest reader survey so far.
    Interesting and a little sad that very few actually believe that Europe and Ukraine will put strong pressure on Trump to do the right thing.

  19. johan No.1

    Safety guarantees – Ukraine already has several from Russia as well.

    Maybe someone should remind Krasnov?

    The upside – possible that Putin pressured Krasnov too hard so he burned himself.

    but Europe decides that

  20. 205

    “In Sumy region, the enemy has, so to speak, suffered defeat. Despite the fact that a truly powerful group of the best Russian units was concentrated there – paratroopers, marines, and the best motorized rifle units of the ground forces – the enemy has not had any success in the last two months. On the contrary, it has lost several settlements. And its latest attempt to advance in the Steppne and Novokostiantynivka area ended in complete failure – the invaders were destroyed and pushed back across the state border. And now we are continuing our offensive operations there.”

    Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, General Oleksandr Syrskyi, in an interview with RBC-Ukraine, August 18, 2025

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