Zelensky:

The answer to the Ukrainian territorial question is already in the Constitution of Ukraine. No one will retreat from this and no one can. Ukrainians will not give their land to the occupier.

Zelensky:

Any decisions against us, any decisions without Ukraine, are simultaneously decisions against peace. They will bring nothing. These are dead decisions; they will never work.

Burkina Faso: JNIM released footage of its capture of the Soudougui military post in Koulpélogo, seizing weapons and vehicles.

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev:

Trump is very knowledgeable about Azerbaijan. Honestly, I was surprised by his knowledge about Azerbaijan. He has an in-depth understanding of many topics.

80 years ago today on August 9, 1945, the US dropped an atomic bomb on Nagasaki, Japan.

The blast killed an estimated 70,000 people by the end of 1945, most of them civilians.

Three days earlier Hiroshima had been bombed.

Six days later Japan announced its surrender, ending World War II.

(Photo: Nagasaki before and after the bombing)

Indian Air Force Chief claims that India shot down at least five Pakistani fighter jets in May clashes.

He also claims that India destroyed "one large military aircraft."

Indian Air Force Chief:

Our air defence systems have done a wonderful job. The S-400 system, which we had recently bought, has been a game-changer.

Those long-range glide bombs that they have, they have not been able to use any one of those because they have not been able to penetrate the system.

Indian Air Force Chief:

It was a high-tech war. In 80 to 90 hours of war, we were able to achieve so much damage that it was clear to them that if they continue, they are going to pay for it more and more.

So they came forward and sent a message that they wanted to talk.

NOTE: No evidence supports India’s claim of downing Pakistani jets, unlike Pakistan’s.

BREAKING: Syrian government has decided to cancel its participation in Paris meetings with the SDF, after the SDF hosted separatist figures in Syria in the Hasakah conference.

Syrian government holds the SDF and its leadership fully responsible for the repercussions of hosting separatist figures.

Source: SANA

South Korea says North Korea has begun dismantling some border loudspeakers in parts of the border area after Seoul did the same.

Sky News found Gaza’s airdrops are dangerous and nearly useless: parachutes failed in half the drops they analysed, killing and injuring civilians, while the aid delivered covers just 7% of the food shortfall.

Trump’s envoy Witkoff may have badly misunderstood Putin in pre-talks for an Alaska “peace summit” on Ukraine.

Russia still demands full control of five Ukrainian regions before stopping its offensive and is offering only limited ceasefires such as no strikes on power plants.

The US instead proposed freezing the war along current lines in exchange for lifting most sanctions, which Moscow rejected.

Witkoff apparently misread a Russian demand for Ukraine to withdraw as a Russian offer to withdraw, causing confusion.

Source: BILD

Only 31% of Germans believe their country has a special responsibility toward Israel because of its Nazi past and the Holocaust, while 62% do not.

Source: Reuters, citing ARD-DeutschlandTREND survey

66% of Germans want their government to put more pressure on Israel, up from 57% in April 2024.

Source: Reuters, citing ARD-DeutschlandTREND survey

47% of Germans think their government is doing too little for Palestinians, while 39% disagree.

Source: Reuters, citing ARD-DeutschlandTREND survey

Ukrainian drone strikes a workshop in Tatarstan where Russia's UAVs are assembled.

Polish President Karol Nawrocki will visit the White House on September 3, 2025, for talks with Trump.

Trump’s envoy Witkoff is meeting Saturday in Ibiza with Qatar’s prime minister to discuss a joint plan to end the Gaza war.

Source: Axios

Israel’s security cabinet has approved a phased plan to seize Gaza City, the Strip’s most populous and politically central hub, as part of a broader push for full control.

Goals: disarm Hamas, dismantle military infrastructure, impose Israeli security control, and recover hostages.

The offensive risks massive civilian displacement and long-term occupation.

Senior Israeli official to Axios:

The offensive plan on Gaza will not be implemented immediately, allowing time to reach a diplomatic solution.