Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that Kyiv is finalizing a list of prisoners for exchange with Russia. The move follows the latest round of negotiations held in Turkey last month, where both sides agreed to continue the prisoner exchange process.

Zelensky proposed a summit of heads of state before the end of August, as part of the third phase of talks. Russian negotiator Vladimir Medinsky confirmed that both countries had previously exchanged 1,200 prisoners each and agreed to maintain that structure for upcoming swaps.

Zelensky also said Ukraine is working to secure the release of civilian detainees and is verifying the status of each individual. He emphasized, “We are committed to bringing every Ukrainian home.”

A wave of Russian missile and drone attacks struck Kyiv from Thursday night into early Friday, killing at least 31 people, including women and children, and injuring more than 150. In response, Ukraine declared Saturday a national day of mourning. President Volodymyr Zelensky reported that over 100 buildings were damaged or destroyed, including residential apartments, schools, kindergartens, hospitals, and university facilities. A significant portion of a nine-story residential building was completely reduced to rubble. Rescue operations are ongoing, with many feared trapped under the debris.

The UK has announced it will recognize Palestine as a state at the UN if Israel fails to allow humanitarian aid into Gaza, stops plans to annex the West Bank, and commits to peace talks by September. This move rejects accusations from Israel and the US that it rewards Hamas, which the UK government condemns as a terrorist group. The decision aims to support the rights of Palestinians and address Gaza’s humanitarian crisis, while the UK’s recognition could lead to upgraded diplomatic relations.

Ukraine continues to face relentless Russian drone attacks, with significant territorial shifts occurring in areas like Kostyantynivka and Pokrovsk. Even relatively quiet zones under Kyiv's control are being targeted.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump, reportedly frustrated with the lack of progress, has reduced his proposed peace negotiation deadline for Vladimir Putin from 50 days to just 12. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky acknowledged the difficult frontline situation, stating that while Russia is not making major advances, the pressure remains intense.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has issued a stern warning, stating that the UK will formally recognize Palestine as an independent state by September if the ongoing war in Gaza does not cease and meaningful steps toward a sustainable peace process are not taken.

The UK has also urged Israel to halt its settlement expansion plans and called on Hamas to release all hostages. Israel criticized the move, claiming it would “reward Hamas” and undermine diplomatic efforts to end the conflict in Gaza. Meanwhile, Palestinian authorities have welcomed the UK's potential decision to grant statehood recognition.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is expected to unveil a plan this week to recognize the State of Palestine, according to The Times. At least seven cabinet members are pressuring Starmer to fulfill this election pledge made by the Labour Party prior to their July 2024 victory.

Sources say the UK Prime Minister has also shared the details of his recognition plan with European leaders.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is expected to call an emergency cabinet meeting next week, with Gaza likely to top the agenda, according to government sources. Although Parliament is in summer recess until September 1, the urgency of the Gaza situation may prompt an early session. Recognition of the Palestinian state is expected to be a central issue. Starmer recently stated that the UK would only recognize Palestine as part of a final peace agreement—a stance that has disappointed many within his own Labour Party, who favor swift recognition akin to France.

The Scottish National Party (SNP) plans to introduce a "Palestine Recognition Bill" in the UK Parliament after the summer recess, pressuring Prime Minister Keir Starmer to formally recognize Palestine. SNP leader Stephen Flynn warned that if Starmer doesn’t shift his stance, they will push the bill to a vote. The move comes amid rising calls from over 220 MPs, including many from Labour, following France’s recent commitment to recognize Palestine. The SNP holds only nine seats but aims to spark significant political debate.

More than 220 Members of the UK Parliament—including members of the ruling Labour Party—have urged Prime Minister Keir Starmer to formally recognize Palestine as a sovereign state. In a joint letter signed by MPs from nine different parties, they called for the UK to support Palestinian statehood during the upcoming UN summit in New York on July 28–29. The letter referenced Britain’s historical role in the Balfour Declaration and the creation of Israel, stating the time has come to recognize Palestine. While Starmer has yet to respond, experts believe this mounting parliamentary pressure could influence future foreign policy.

A major global outage of SpaceX’s Starlink service disrupted internet connectivity for users in the U.S., Europe, and beyond for over two hours due to internal software issues. Michael Nicolls, Starlink's Vice President, confirmed the disruption stemmed from software failures. Ukraine’s military communications were significantly affected, leading to the suspension of several operations during its war with Russia. Experts suggest the failure could have stemmed from a flawed update or potential cyberattack. Starlink’s defense-focused variant, Starshield, currently supports U.S. military and intelligence operations. Ukraine remains heavily reliant on Starlink terminals for battlefield communications.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has expressed deep concern over the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, describing the suffering there as "indescribable and indefensible." He announced plans to consult with leaders of Germany and France to address the crisis. Starmer urged Israel to lift aid restrictions and called for an immediate ceasefire. He emphasized that recognizing a Palestinian state is a fundamental right and a necessary first step toward a two-state solution. The UK, along with 28 other countries, has already condemned Israel’s blockade of humanitarian aid to Gaza.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has called for renewed peace talks with Russia and has proposed a direct meeting with President Vladimir Putin. Ukraine’s National Security Chief, Rustem Umerov, is set to offer a new round of dialogue next week. While both nations have expressed interest in discussions, significant differences in their positions remain. Previous attempts at negotiations yielded limited results, though prisoner exchanges and the return of bodies have been facilitated under partial agreements. Zelensky urged maximum effort to achieve a ceasefire.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has proposed restarting peace talks with Russia, following a pause in negotiations last month. In a video message, he said Ukraine's new security chief, Rustem Umerov, offered the proposal to his Russian counterpart. Zelensky also expressed interest in a direct meeting with President Vladimir Putin, calling it crucial for lasting peace. Umerov, who previously led Ukraine’s delegation in peace talks in Turkey, now oversees efforts to revive diplomacy. Russia has yet to respond officially to the latest initiative.

Ukraine has appointed Yulia Svyrydenko as its new Prime Minister, replacing Denys Shmyhal after parliamentary approval. At 39, Svyrydenko previously served as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economic Development and Trade. She played a key role in strengthening Ukraine’s ties with the U.S. under the Trump administration. Her priorities include boosting domestic arms production, strengthening the military, and supporting economic growth. Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba remains in office, and notable diplomatic changes are underway, including a new ambassador to the U.S.

Over 100 British spies and special forces personnel had their identities leaked along with nearly 19,000 Afghan citizens who worked with UK forces during the Afghan war. The data, originally protected by a court ban, included sensitive personal details. The UK government admitted the breach, which occurred in 2022 but was unnoticed until 2023. It led to the creation of a secret resettlement scheme amid security fears. Some Afghans may now be at serious risk from Taliban retaliation due to the exposure.