In the morning briefing for August 19, key events have been gathered regarding the possible dialogue between Putin and Zelensky, as well as security guarantees from the United States and Europe. There are also reports of a drone attack on the Nikolske oil-pumping station in Russia.
Preparation for the Leaders’ Meeting
The U.S. President Donald Trump stated that after a call to Putin he began organizing a meeting between the two leaders. According to him, after this meeting a trilateral meeting between him, Zelensky, and Putin is expected.
At the end of the meetings I called Putin and began preparing for a meeting between Putin and President Zelensky at a place to be determined later.
– Donald Trump
Context: On August 18, during a meeting of Trump with Zelensky together with European leaders he called the head of Russia, after which the preparation for the meeting was announced.
Security Guarantees for Ukraine: Package Structure
Zelensky announced a package of proposals totaling 90 billion dollars as part of the security guarantees. He explained that the package consists of three parts: strengthening the country’s own army, supplying American weapons, and drone production.
There really is a package of our proposals totaling 90 billion dollars. This is the second part of the security guarantees for us. The third part is our drone production.
– Volodymyr Zelensky
According to the president, the funding will go toward developing drone production by Ukrainian companies, and there are also arrangements with the United States to purchase Ukrainian drones once exports open.
Europe and the Context of the Talks
On August 18, European leaders discussed Trump’s call to Putin and agreed that a meeting between Zelensky and Putin should take place within two weeks. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz expressed doubt about Putin’s boldness.
I am not sure Putin will have the courage.
– Friedrich Merz, Chancellor of Germany
According to Reuters, talks among European leaders with Ukraine and the United States leaders not only met expectations but exceeded them.
Drones attacked the Russian oil-pumping station “Nikolske” (Tambov region), which led to the shutdown of the Druzhba pipeline. Commander of the Ukrainian Armed Forces’ Unmanned Systems Forces Robert Brovdi confirmed the incident.
A complete halt to oil pumping for an indefinite period.
– Robert “Madyar” Brovdi, Commander of the Ukrainian Armed Forces’ Unmanned Systems Forces
Hungary also expressed concern about the potential impact of a loss of oil supplies, without specifying details about a specific pipeline.