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Dmytro Basmat
Senior News EditorDmytro Basmat is a senior news editor for The Kyiv Independent. He previously worked in Canadian politics as a communications lead and spokesperson for a national political party, and as a communications assistant for a Canadian Member of Parliament. Basmat has a Master's degree in Political Management from Carleton University in Ottawa, Canada, and a Bachelor of Arts in Politics and Governance from Toronto Metropolitan University.
Articles
EU's 19th sanctions package against Russia expected to be ready in September, Kallas says
The European Union's 19th package of sanctions against Russia is expected to be ready in September, top EU diplomat Kaja Kallas announced on Aug. 19, as the EU ramps up its pressure on Moscow in hopes that it will push Russia to end its war in Ukraine.
NATO military leaders to meet on Aug. 20 to discuss security guarantees for Ukraine
NATO military leaders are scheduled to meet virtually on Aug. 20 to discuss the alliance's support for Ukraine as European leaders continue negotiations with Kyiv and Washington on security agreements for the embattled country.
US troops won't be sent to Ukraine as part of security guarantees, Trump says
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Aug. 19 that U.S. soldiers will not be on the ground in Ukraine to ensure security guarantees are upheld, deflecting the responsibility to European allies.
Russia launches missile attacks on central Ukraine hours after Trump-Zelensky meeting concludes
Russia launched a wave of missile and drone attacks against Ukrainian cities on Aug. 19, hours after President Volodymyr Zelensky concluded peace talks with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House.
Ukraine's long-range Flamingo cruise missile enters serial production, media reports
The domestically developed cruise missile has a reported range of 3,000 km (1,864 miles). The military has not yet publicly commented on the official technical specifications.
Updated: Russia's Aug. 17 strike on Kharkiv kills 7, injures 24, just hours before Zelensky met with Trump in Washington
Russia launched a wave of missile and drone attacks against Ukrainian cities late on Aug. 17, mere hours before President Volodymyr Zelensky is scheduled to meet for peace talks with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House.
Russia seeks 'Ukraine's surrender, not peace,' Macron says ahead of talks with Trump
"I don’t believe (Russian President Vladimir) Putin wants peace, Macron told reporters after co-chairing a meeting of the coalition of the willing. "I believe he wants Ukraine’s surrender."
'Negotiation can begin where the front line currently stands' — Zelensky says ahead of meeting with Trump
"We need real negotiations, and that means they can begin where the front line currently stands. The line of contact is the best line for negotiations," Zelensky wrote on social media following a meeting with members of the so-called "coalition of the willing."
US officials provide contradictory statements on security guarantees, fueling uncertainty ahead of Trump-Zelensky meeting
In comments to various media networks on Aug. 17, Russia envoy Steve Witkoff and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio addressed the outcomes stemming from the Trump-Putin meeting, providing differing accounts of the progress made towards providing Kyiv with security guarantees.
'We didn't get there' — Trump, Putin fail to reach deal to end war in Ukraine
"There’s no deal until there’s a deal," Trump said during a press conference after his meeting with Putin.
Trump, Putin conclude high-stakes summit on Ukraine in Alaska
The two leaders began their meeting at the U.S. military Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage at around 11:30 a.m. local time. The event will mark their first face-to-face talks of Trump's second term and their first meeting in six years, as well as Putin's first visit to U.S. soil in a decade.
Putin, Kim Jong Un discuss 'strengthening cooperation' in phone call, ahead of Trump-Putin meeting
Russian President Vladimir Putin held a phone call with North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un on Aug. 12, the Kremlin announced, just days before Putin is set to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump in Alaska.
Defense Ministry official suspected of accepting $1.3 million bribe over construction of military housing
Officials allege that an acting head of one of the Central Territorial Departments in Ukraine's Defense Ministry orchestrated a plot to help a developer secure a tender for a construction project in Kyiv, the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO) said.
Over 121,000 Russian soldiers killed in Ukraine identified by media investigation
Russian independent media outlet Mediazona, in collaboration with the BBC Russian service, has confirmed the identities of 121,507 Russian military personnel killed in Ukraine.
White House considering inviting Zelensky to peace talks in Alaska, media reports
The White House is considering inviting President Volodymyr Zelensky to peace talks in Alaska on Aug. 15, the same day U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin are set to meet.
Editors' Picks
As Zelensky, Trump prepare to talk about peace, most Russian demands are non-starters for Ukraine
Editorial: That meeting was sickening. Putin loved it
Our readers' questions about the war, answered. Vol. 9
