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Russia Escalates Attacks on Ukraine, Casting Doubt on Trump’s Call for a Putin-Zelensky Summit

HeadlineAug 21, 2025

Russia escalated its assault on Ukraine overnight, firing 574 drones and 40 ballistic and cruise missiles in one of its biggest aerial attacks of the year. At least one civilian was killed and 15 injured in the latest Russian attack. Russia also hit an American electronics manufacturer in western Ukraine near the Hungarian border.

Meanwhile, the Kremlin has yet to commit to talks between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky despite calls for a summit by President Trump. Russia is also demanding to be part of any future security guarantees for Ukraine — a position strongly opposed by Kyiv and European leaders. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said, “Seriously discussing issues of ensuring security without the Russian Federation is a utopia, a road to nowhere.”

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