Russian officials reiterated that Russia's objectives in Ukraine remain unchanged ahead of the Alaska summit on August 15

According to the Institute for the Study of War, Russian Foreign Ministry Deputy Director of the Information and Press Department Alexei Fadeev said on August 13 that Russia’s position on ending its war against Ukraine has remained unchanged since President Vladimir Putin’s speech on June 14, 2024. Fadeev added that the goals of Russia’s delegation to the Alaska summit on August 15 are defined solely by national interests, implying that Moscow will not consider any territorial concessions.

In his June 14 speech, Putin set out his uncompromising conditions for “peace” talks with Ukraine. These included Ukraine’s withdrawal from all of Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson oblasts — including areas not currently occupied by Russian forces — as well as Ukraine’s demilitarization and “denazification,” which would involve removing the current democratically elected government. He also demanded Ukraine’s permanent neutrality, likely referring to a ban on NATO membership.

Fadeev’s remarks show that the Kremlin has not shifted its stance before the Alaska summit and still seeks Ukraine’s complete military and political capitulation.

Ukraine brought back 84 people from Russian captivity

Ukraine has secured the return of 84 people — 33 military personnel and 51 civilians — in its 67th prisoner exchange with Russia, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on social media.

According to the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War, today’s swap was notable for including civilians and soldiers detained in the temporarily occupied territories before Russia’s full-scale invasion. Many had been given lengthy sentences of 10–18 years on fabricated charges. One man, captured in Donetsk Oblast in 2014, had spent 4,013 days in captivity.

Those released also include Ukrainians captured between 2016 and 2021, among them three women from Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts. One was a primary school teacher imprisoned in 2019. Another is a 27-year-old man jailed in 2016 at the age of 18.

The freed soldiers include defenders from Mariupol, members of the Navy, and the State Border Guard Service. Ten officers are among them. Two pairs of brothers, captured in March and April 2022, are also returning home.

Most of the released individuals suffer from health problems or disabilities. The youngest is 26; the oldest is 74 and had been imprisoned since 2018.

Zelenskyy said:
"We are bringing Ukrainians back to Ukraine. A new exchange; a total of 84 people. These are both military and civilians. Almost all of them need medical care and significant rehabilitation. Among the civilians brought back today are those who were in Russian captivity since 2014, 2016 and 2017. The military personnel brought back today include the defenders of Mariupol. I am grateful to everyone who helps us continue to bring Ukrainian prisoners back."

Kremlin reveals the time of the Trump-Putin meeting and who will join Putin in Alaska

US President Donald Trump and Russian leader Vladimir Putin are scheduled to meet on 15 August at 11:30 local time (22:30 Kyiv time) in Anchorage, Alaska, according to Kremlin foreign policy advisor Yuri Ushakov, as reported by RIA Novosti.

Ushakov said the main topic will be the “settlement of the Ukrainian crisis” — Moscow’s term for the war it launched against Ukraine. Preparations for the meeting are in their final stage, with the programme agreed upon.

The leaders will first meet one-on-one, followed by talks with their delegations. Joining Putin in the US will be: Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Defence Minister Andrei Belousov, Finance Minister Anton Siluanov, Kirill Dmitriev, Head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund and Yuri Ushakov, Putin’s foreign policy advisor. A joint press conference is planned after the talks.