The Kremlin has stated that no final document is anticipated following the upcoming meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov emphasized that preparations were limited, and any agreements or understandings will be outlined during a joint press conference after the summit. Discussions on Ukraine remain bilateral, and Kyiv’s position will be addressed later. Peskov also highlighted that previous meetings between Trump’s envoy and Putin were productive, but warned against rushing predictions about the summit’s outcome.

Russia and Belarus will hold a joint nuclear military drill in mid-September under the name “Zapad 2025.” The five-day exercise in Belarus will test the newly developed Russian hypersonic missile “Oreshnik,” which can travel at ten times the speed of sound and carry up to six nuclear warheads over a range of 3,000 km. Moscow claims no other country possesses such a weapon. Russia plans to deploy Oreshnik missiles in Belarus by the end of this year.

The Alaska meeting between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin has stirred cautious optimism in Russia, with some citizens hoping for renewed diplomacy and potential sanctions relief. Analysts, however, view the summit as largely symbolic, given the deep divide over Ukraine’s territories. While Trump hints at a peace deal with possible territorial swaps, Zelensky will not attend. The talks aim to halt Russia-Ukraine hostilities, but real compromise remains uncertain amid ongoing geopolitical tension and disputes over occupied regions.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has held talks with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un ahead of his scheduled meeting with Donald Trump this Friday.
According to the Kremlin, the two leaders reaffirmed commitments to strengthening their “friendship, mutual trust, and cooperation.” Putin thanked Pyongyang for its military assistance in the Ukraine conflict, specifically during the recapture of the Kursk region.
Putin also briefed Kim on preparations for the upcoming Alaska summit and shared details about the Trump meeting. Reports indicate that around 10,000 North Korean troops are currently fighting alongside Russian forces, which recently advanced 10 kilometers near Dobropillia, Ukraine.

Russia’s air defense shot down a modern Ukrainian Su-27 fighter jet over the Zaporizhzhia region. The Russian Ministry of Defense also reported destroying multiple Ukrainian drones, guided bombs, and rockets from the US-made HIMARS system. Meanwhile, Ukraine repelled a Russian cruise missile attack and downed 31 Russian drones. Over 70% of Zaporizhzhia remains under Russian control. Former US President Donald Trump plans to meet Vladimir Putin on August 15 to discuss a possible peace deal, though Ukraine’s President Zelensky insists no territory will be ceded.

A strong earthquake measuring 6.2 on the Richter scale struck Russia’s Kuril Islands on Saturday morning. According to the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC), the quake’s epicenter was located 10 kilometers underground in the eastern part of the islands. No immediate reports of casualties or damage have emerged. This comes after a powerful 8.7 magnitude earthquake hit Russia on July 30, triggering tsunami warnings in at least 14 Pacific nations. Waves up to four meters were recorded in Kamchatka during that earlier event.

Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed willingness to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky but emphasized that the meeting must take place in an appropriate environment, which is yet to be established. The Kremlin stated that Russia is prepared for talks, though significant groundwork is necessary. Meanwhile, Kyiv demands a meeting with a clear agenda, which Moscow disputes. Discussions on a possible tripartite summit involving the US are ongoing, but Moscow favors a bilateral Russia-US summit. Experts see high-level talks as key to resolving the conflict.

A close aide to the Kremlin, Yuri Ushakov, confirmed that the meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump's special envoy, Steve Witkoff, in Moscow was “appropriate and constructive.” According to Ushakov, the two discussed the ongoing war in Ukraine and the potential for strategic cooperation between Moscow and Washington. He noted that Russia had sent “certain signals” regarding the conflict and had received “relevant signals” in return from Trump’s side. "President Putin is now fully informed about the current situation," Ushakov added. However, he also mentioned that Trump has not yet been briefed on the outcome of the meeting, and as such, he refrained from making further comments. Russian official Kirill Dmitriev echoed the positive tone, saying, “Constructive U.S.-Russia dialogue is ongoing, and it is crucial for global peace and security.” Bloomberg reports that Russia is considering concessions to Trump, including the suspension of drone and missile strikes.

Two days before the deadline for Russia to end the Ukraine war, U.S. President Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow for over three hours. The meeting comes amid Trump’s warning of 100% tariffs on Russia if no agreement is reached and his promise to supply Ukraine with advanced Patriot missile defense systems. Kremlin called tariff threats against Russia’s trade partners “illegal.” Russian envoy Kirill Dmitriev expressed optimism about the dialogue’s success.

Russian President Vladimir Putin is ignoring U.S. President Donald Trump’s ultimatum to end the war in Ukraine. Despite threats of new sanctions and tariffs on Russian oil buyers, Putin remains committed to capturing Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson. Kremlin sources say Russia believes it has the upper hand and sees no reason to stop. While diplomatic talks continue, little progress has been made. Trump’s envoy is expected in Moscow, but analysts say Russia’s focus is firmly on battlefield gains over negotiations.

A massive 8.8-magnitude earthquake struck off Russia’s eastern coast on July 30, prompting widespread tsunami alerts. Satellite images cited by The New York Times reveal damage to a floating nuclear submarine base at Rybachiy in the Kamchatka Peninsula. Though a section appears to have shifted, major visible destruction was not confirmed. The quake also triggered a rare volcanic eruption and caused a tsunami that hit Russia’s Severo-Kurilsk port. Despite structural damage, no casualties have been reported so far.

Russia has announced its withdrawal from the 1987 Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty, citing Western military actions as a direct threat to its security. This move follows the U.S. withdrawal in 2019 and signals a potential new arms race between East and West. Experts warn this weakens the global nuclear control framework and could escalate tensions reminiscent of a new Cold War, as countries increase missile deployments and military capabilities in Europe and the Asia-Pacific regions.

Russia’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova criticized the United States for imposing politically motivated economic pressure on countries choosing independent paths. She described Trump’s tariff policy as a direct interference in national sovereignty, especially targeting Russia’s partners in the Global South. Zakharova emphasized that sanctions have become a key feature of the current global order and said Washington is pursuing a neo-colonial agenda. Russia remains committed to deepening cooperation with like-minded countries, particularly within the expanding BRICS bloc.

Russia’s Krasheninnikov volcano, located in the Kamchatka Peninsula, has erupted for the first time in over 500 years. Experts believe a recent powerful earthquake may have triggered the eruption.

The volcano emitted an ash plume reaching 6 kilometers into the sky. Although the eruption currently poses no direct threat to populated areas, a subsequent earthquake in the region led authorities to issue tsunami warnings for three nearby zones.

Russia’s Defense Ministry alleges that 1,250 Ukrainian soldiers were killed in a single day during ongoing battles across various fronts. The ministry reported heavy casualties in regions including Sumy, Kharkiv, Donetsk, and Dnipro. Russian forces also claimed the destruction of Ukrainian tanks, artillery, and Western-supplied military equipment. Advances were reported in parts of Kharkiv, though the claims remain unverified by independent sources. Ukraine responded with drone and artillery strikes. The war, which began in February 2022, shows no sign of ending.