Dmitry Medvedev, deputy chairman of Russia’s Security Council, said that if Sweden and Finland join the alliance Russia would have to strengthen its defenses in the region and adding that “there can be no more talk of any nuclear-free status for the Baltic."
A survey by the Rating Group, conducted on Aug. 21-23, 2025, found that the majority of Ukrainians polled want peace and are open to certain concessions, but only on the condition that their country receives international security guarantees.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said in an interview on Aug. 31 that he expects Russia's war in Ukraine to last a long time, as most wars end in military defeat or economic collapse — a scenario he does not foresee for Russia or Ukraine.
As an EU member, Hungary has veto power over further progress.
It is reported that part of a Russian Shahed drone shot down previously detonated under the ship.
Russian attacks killed at least five civilians and injured at least 61 in Ukraine over the past day, regional authorities reported on Aug. 31.
"The only 100% verified result achieved by Russia since the beginning of 2025 is its own losses — over 291,000 soldiers killed and wounded," Ukraine's General Staff said on Aug. 31.
U.S.-Ukraine peace talks, Russia’s massive missile strike on Kyiv that killed 25 civilians, and Moscow’s first reported occupation of villages in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast. Also, Ukraine’s escalating drone attacks on Russian oil refineries.
Oil prices were dragged down by production hikes by Saudi Arabia and other OPEC countries.
"Today we will clarify the tasks of the troop groups in the directions for the autumn period," Valery Gerasimov said.
VOA was established during World War 2 in an effort to counter Nazi propaganda.
The number includes 810 casualties that Russian forces suffered over the past day.
The positions previously allowed Russian troops to control the road leading into Kupiansk, approximately 104 kilometers (65 miles) east of Kharkiv, the regional capital.
Chinese state broadcaster CCTV described China-Russia relations as at their "best in history," calling them "the most stable, mature and strategically significant among major countries."
