Los ucranianos que viven en Anchorage, Alaska, dicen que se acercan a la cumbre del viernes entre el presidente de Estados Unidos, Donald Trump, y el presidente ruso, Vladimir Putin, con cautela y preocupación, recelosos de cualquier falsa esperanza en medio de una devastadora guerra en su país.

Anchorage

Ukrainians residing in Anchorage, Alaska, have expressed a range of emotions as Russian President Vladimir Putin arrives for a summit with U.S. President Donald Trump. Some members of the Ukrainian community, including families who fled the war, are cautious and distrustful, especially given Ukraine's absence from the talks. Others remain hopeful that the meeting could lead to meaningful dialogue and progress toward peace, despite the devastating toll of the conflict.

Local Ukrainian organizations, such as the New Chance Ukraine Relief Program, are supporting the community as they await the summit's outcome. While U.S. President Trump has warned of severe consequences for Russia if peace is not achieved, there are concerns among European leaders and Ukrainian expatriates that the summit could result in unfavorable compromises for Ukraine.

Los ucranianos de Alaska desconfían de las falsas esperanzas ante la llegada de Putin

Para los ucranianos que viven en Anchorage, Alaska, la llegada del presidente ruso Vladimir Putin para la cumbre del viernes con el presidente estadounidense Donald Trump trae sentimientos encontrados. Algunos se acercan a ella con cautela y preocupación, recelosos de cualquier falsa esperanza en medio de un devastador guerra en casa. Otros son más esperanzadores. El conflicto, que dura ya tres años y medio, ha costado decenas de miles de vidas y ha provocado el desplazamiento de miles de personas. millones, y Trump ha dicho anteriormente que ambas partes tendrán que intercambiar tierras para poner fin a los combates. Para Vitaly y Zoya Koval, que huyeron de su ciudad natal en Sumy con sus hijos a Polonia antes de reasentarse en Alaska, desconfían de Putin y dudan, dado que Ucrania está ausente en la cumbre. No me entusiasma que se espere que este individuo llegue aquí. Esta persona es un asesino. Es un maníaco y ha causado mucho dolor. Ha matado a mucha gente inocente, y no me entusiasma que vaya a ser en Alaska. Mi pensamiento es un poco diferente al de mi marido, porque tengo la esperanza de que este sea una conversación. Espero que llegue para que esta conversación pueda comenzar, y las conversaciones de paz puedan comenzar. Tengo que tener esperanza de que algo puede cambiar. La familia Koval es uno de los cientos de ucranianos que viven en Alaska. Muchos reciben ayuda del Programa de Ayuda a Ucrania New Chance, en Anchorage. Y Zori Opanasevic es el director del programa. Tengo que tener esperanza de que salga algo, porque necesitamos algo. Así que nos agarraremos a todo lo que sea posible y esperaremos que salga algo, algún tipo de movimiento ocurre, y el movimiento significa que tal vez estamos mucho más cerca del fin de esta guerra y la gente dejará de morir. Yulia Maiba, una profesora de inglés de la región de Donetsk, se muestra cautelosamente optimista sobre el conversaciones. Por supuesto, realmente quiero que la guerra termine y que se detenga el derramamiento de sangre. Pero mantengo mis expectativas bajas, aunque espero que sea como un gran paso adelante para algunas negociaciones productivas. La cumbre tendrá lugar en la Base Conjunta Elmendorf-Richardson, en Anchorage. Con antelación, Trump ha advertido de graves consecuencias para Rusia si Putin no acepta a la paz. Aunque el líder norteamericano no ha detallado cuáles podrían ser las consecuencias, los europeos líderes europeos en Kiev han expresado su temor de que la cumbre de Alaska podría terminar vendiendo Ucrania por dividiendo su territorio.

Hamas on Monday informed mediators that it had accepted a ceasefire deal proposal submitted to it the day before, according to international and Israeli outlets.

Jerusalem

Middle East Conflict

Reports: Hamas accepts latest Gaza ceasefire proposal

Hurricane Erin will bring dangerously rough surf to parts of the U.S. East Coast. Over the weekend, Erin's outer bands lashed Puerto Rico with up to 7 inches of rain and flooding parts of the island.

East Coast of the United States

Erin expected to bring dangerous conditions to U.S. East Coast

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy will be joined by several European leaders at a White House meeting with President Donald Trump on Monday (August 18) aimed at brokering a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine.

Washington

Ukraine Invasion

Zelenskiy bringing European leaders to Trump meeting

Ahead of his Monday meeting with President Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymry Zelenksyy says his country will not give up any territory to Russia, even as the White House insists potential land swaps will be necessary. Willie James Inman reports.

Kyiv

Ahead of Trump meeting, Zelenskyy says won't give territory to Russia

Thousands of Israeli protesters demanded a deal to secure the release of hostages still held by Hamas in one of the biggest demonstrations since the war in Gaza began. Debora Patta reports.

Thousands of Israelis protest in Gaza, call for end to fighting

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy flies to Washington on Monday under heavy U.S. pressure to agree to a swift end to Russia's war in his country, but determined to defend Kyiv's interests — without sparking a second Oval Office dust-up with Donald Trump.

Zelenskyy, European allies to meet with Trump to discuss peace

European leaders voiced strong support for Ukraine ahead of a Washington summit with U.S President Donald Trump. They emphasized unity, territorial integrity and security guarantees as essential to any peace deal.

Paris

European leaders stress unity with Ukraine ahead of peace talks

International condemnation and pressure from allies have done nothing to stop Israel's plan to displace the people of northern Gaza. Israel on Saturday (August 16) said it is preparing to move Palestinians from combat zones to southern Gaza.

Israeli military prepares to move Palestinians to southern Gaza

Thousands of people took to the streets on Sunday in a nationwide strike amid fears further fighting could endanger the 50 hostages believed to still be in Gaza.

Tel Aviv-Yafo

Dozens of Israelis arrested in protest to demand end to Gaza war

Russia continues to target Ukrainian cities firing hundreds of missiles and projectiles daily despite ongoing peace efforts, led by the United States. Ukrainian officials say their unwillingness to dial back their offensive reflects their lack of sincere interest in peace.

Five killed as Russia continues to pummel Ukrainian cities

U.S. President Donald Trump said that Ukraine should make a deal to end the war with Russia because "Russia is a very big power, and they're not," after a summit where Vladimir Putin was reported to have demanded more Ukrainian land.

Trump told Zelenskiy that Putin wants more of Ukraine, source says

Efforts by Texas Republicans to redraw the state's congressional maps got new pushback from protesters at rallies across the country Saturday. Nearly 280 events took place in 34 states, according to organizers.

"Fight the Trump Takeover" protests held across U.S.

West Virginia's governor says he will send up to 400 National Guard troops to the nation's capital at President Trump's request. They'll join other National Guard troops and federal agents already deployed with local police on the streets of Washington, D.C.

More troops arrive in D.C. at Trump's request

President Trump reversed course Saturday, saying he is no longer seeking an urgent ceasefire in Ukraine, but now agrees with Russian President Vladimir Putin that pursuing a peace deal is the best way to end the war.

Trump sides with Putin, preferring peace over ceasefire

Russian President Vladimir Putin described his meeting with President Trump as "frank, substantive and bringing us closer to making the necessary decisions." But the Alaska summit couldn't have been more far removed from the battlefields of Ukraine.

War-weary Ukrainians desperate for a ceasefire

In Ukraine, many do not believe Russia's president Vladimir Putin actually wants a ceasefire deal. They say Trump should stop making concessions to the Kremlin and for U.S President Donald Trump to demand an end to Russia aggression.

Ukrainians sceptical of Vladimir Putin’s intention

Being a Category 1 hurricane, Erin underwent a 'rapid intensification' which helped the storm to grow and strengthen to a powerful Category 5. Hurricane Erin won't make a direct hit on the U.S., but it will produce dangerous surf conditions for the entire East Coast.

San Juan

Hurricane Erin 'rapidly intensifies' to a Category 5

The Washington, D.C., police chief will remain in command of the local force following a settlement with the Trump administration over the federal takeover, but they are required to cooperate with the White House's immigration policy.

D.C. police retain some control after deal with Justice Department

The Atlantic Ocean's first hurricane of the season, Erin, has continued to gain strength and currently sits off the coast of Anguilla.

Hurricane Erin strengthens in the Atlantic

President Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin met on Friday in Alaska to discuss the war in Ukraine. The leaders did not announce a peace deal, but Trump is set to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Monday.

Trump, Putin meeting in Alaska ends without a ceasefire deal

Talks between the U.S. President and Russian President Vladimir Putin concluded without an agreement on ending the war in Ukraine, despite being widely anticipated as a possible turning point.

Zelenskyy set to meet U.S. president Monday after no ceasefire deal

For the first time in a decade, Vladimir Putin was on U.S. soil for a much-anticipated meeting with Donald Trump. The U.S. and Russian presidents were supposed to discuss a deal to put an end to Moscow’s war against Ukraine, but they did not mention a ceasefire after the talks.

Trump, Putin wrap up talks with no mention of ceasefire

President Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin met in Alaska for a high-stakes summit over ending the war in Ukraine. Nancy Cordes and Margaret Brennan have coverage and analysis.

What we know about the high-stakes summit between Trump and Putin

U.S. President Donald Trump and Russia's Vladimir Putin have arrived in Alaska ahead of their high stakes talks on Ukraine. The expected one-on-one meeting between Trump and Putin has expanded to include U.S. officials Steve Witkoff and Marco Rubio and other Russian officials.

Trump, Putin arrive in Alaska for historic summit

Israel's far-right finance minister approved the construction of a controversial new settlement in the West Bank, saying it "finally buries the idea of a Palestinian state." But it's unclear if this move will actually go through. Rights groups swiftly condemned the plan.

Israeli finance minister approves new West Bank settlement

U.S. President Donald Trump indicated in an interview that he hoped to push Russian President Vladimir Putin toward a second meeting but acknowledged there was a chance Friday’s meeting would not succeed.

Trump shifts tone, confident on deal to end Ukraine war

Israeli Finance Minister Bezalei Smotrich said a plan to add more than 3,000 homes to a controversial settlement in the West Bank would bury ‘the idea of a Palestinian state.’

Israel furthers plan for settlement that divides the West Bank

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer in London. This comes one day before U.S. President Donald Trump is set to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska to discuss a possible ceasefire in Ukraine.

London

Zelenskyy, Starmer meet ahead of Trump, Putin summit in Alaska

Speaking in the Oval Office on Thursday, President Trump sounded optimistic about his upcoming summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska.

Breakdown