President Trump spoke to Russian president Vladimir Putin after his meeting with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy and said he's now making arrangements for a trilateral meeting between the two warring countries and himself.

Washington

Russian forces have invaded Ukraine from land, air and sea with strikes causing widespread damage. Global leaders have condemned the move and imposed sanctions.

Ukraine Invasion

Volodymyr Zelensky has returned to the White House to advocate for an end to the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia, with support from key European leaders. Following these discussions, Donald Trump spoke with Vladimir Putin and is arranging a trilateral meeting involving all three leaders to explore a framework for peace.

Experts highlight that significant challenges remain, including Russia's demand for territorial concessions in Donetsk, the question of Ukraine's future sovereignty, and the need for credible security guarantees. While momentum appears to be building after recent diplomatic engagements, the outcome of the proposed trilateral meeting remains uncertain, with doubts about Russia's intentions and the durability of any potential agreement.

The stakes of a trilateral meeting with Trump, Zelenskyy, Putin

Volodymyr Zelensky returned to the White House today to make his case on how to end Russia's war with his battle-weary country. Key European leaders were there, too. Mr. Trump spoke to Vladimir Putin afterwards and said he's now making arrangements for a trilateral meeting between the two warring countries and himself. Unlike in February, there was no shouting over who holds which cards. But getting a peace deal is still a tough hand to play. For tonight's interview, we are joined by senior fellow from the Council on Foreign Relations, Charles Kupchan. Charles, good to be with you again. What do you make of the possibility of a trilateral meeting? Is that a big breakthrough, a small one? I would say it's a good sign, right, because you're building momentum. Coming out of the Alaska summit, you had this large meeting today, Zelensky, seven European leaders, unprecedented that you would have that kind of moral and political support for a Ukrainian leader. In the middle of this, Trump picks up the phone and apparently calls Putin and says, hey, let's do the next step. Let's make this trilateral. So you know, there is a framework that's emerging here that has potential. Are we anywhere near the finish line? No. I would say there are some very, very tough issues in the coming weeks and months, yes. But you know, the train has left the station and it's moving forward. I don't want to risk missing what the tough issues are, so let's go right to them. What are the things we should keep our eyes on as this train moves forward? I would say two key issues. For one, Putin seems to have asked that Zelensky cede to Russia the 30 percent of Donetsk province, which the Russians don't yet control. If that were to happen, Russia would have effectively taken over what's called the Donbass, two provinces, Luhansk and Donetsk. These areas Putin kind of sees as part of the Russian homeland. There are a lot of Russian speakers there. He's been at this since 2014 when he fostered a separatist uprising. Is Zelensky going to be prepared to give away land that many Ukrainians have died to defend? It's strategic land, it's industrial land, it's the heartland of Ukrainian industry. So that's one key issue. That's a bitter pill. And then the second key issue, and it's really make or break, is will Putin agree to let Ukraine go? That is to say, the 80 percent of Ukraine on the other side of that ceasefire line. Is he prepared for Ukraine to make its own decisions about its future and integrate with the West? And then would a third item be this question of security guarantees, which is to say whatever is agreed to, that there is some mechanism that makes sure Russia basically doesn't just use the time to reload and do this again soon? Yeah, I mean, the security guarantee is really essential to that second point, which is nobody trusts Putin. Nobody should trust Putin. He can sign a document that says, I promise I will never attack Ukraine again, and it's meaningless. So what does Ukraine need to feel that it's emerging from a peace settlement with a future that is free and clear of Russian ambition and aggression? It needs, number one, a sizable army, and number two, security assurances, guarantees, whatever you want to call them, that would say if we are attacked again, Britain, France, Germany, United States, Poland, other countries are going to come to your assistance. Without that kind of assurance, it's going to be very hard for Zelensky to say yes to this deal. Twenty seconds, Charles. What's your view of the summit in Alaska at this stage? You know, we didn't know much about it when it took place. The press conference was pretty much empty. Now I would say there's building momentum. Trump may have done the right thing by opening a conversation with Putin. We are by no means there yet. We don't yet know whether Putin is just buying time or negotiating in good faith. We'll know more once this trilateral meeting takes place.

President Donald Trump said that the United States would help Europe in providing security for Ukraine as part of any deal to end Russia's war in Ukraine.

Trump tells Zelenskyy U.S. would help with security in a peace deal

Bolivia's presidential vote headed to an unprecedented runoff after elections Sunday that ended more than two decades of left-wing dominance in the Andean nation but signaled voters' trepidation about a major lurch to the right.

La Paz

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All Air Canada planes were grounded on Monday (August 18) after its 10,000 flight attendants refused a return-to-work mandate from the Canadian government.

Toronto

Air Canada delays plans to resume operations

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived at the White House Monday (August 18) for his meeting with President Donald Trump and other European leaders about Russia's war in Ukraine. CBS News White House reporter Taurean Small has more.

Trump meeting with Zelenskiy, European leaders at White House

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

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Reports: Hamas accepts latest Gaza ceasefire proposal

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East Coast of the United States

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

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

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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

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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.

Anchorage

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.

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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

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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.

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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.’

The stakes of a trilateral meeting with Trump, Zelenskyy, Putin

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Ukraine Invasion