Ukrainian President Zelensky has detailed a $90 billion arms deal with the United States as part of Ukraine's security guarantees

Ukraine has proposed purchasing $90 billion worth of U.S. weapons as part of a broader package of long-term security guarantees, President Volodymyr Zelensky announced during a press briefing in Washington on Aug. 18.

Zelensky said the first component of Ukraine’s security must be a strong domestic army, while the second should be a large-scale weapons package from the United States. “There is indeed a package with our proposals for $90 billion,” he said, adding that the third element is Ukraine’s expanding drone production capabilities.

The proposal, which Kyiv shared with European allies before Zelensky’s meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House, is designed to lock in Washington’s long-term support while also appealing to American interests by framing the deal as an investment in U.S. industry. Trump himself emphasized that point during the meeting, stating: “We’re not giving anything. We’re selling weapons.”

Russians hit energy infrastructure in Poltava Oblast

Russian forces launched a massive overnight attack on energy facilities in Ukraine’s Poltava Oblast, the Energy Ministry reported on Aug. 19.

“On the night of 18-19 August 2025, Russian occupation forces carried out another massive attack on energy infrastructure facilities in Poltava Oblast, using a combination of cruise missiles and attack UAVs,” the ministry said.

The strikes sparked large-scale fires at energy sites, including a facility linked to Ukraine’s gas transmission system. According to preliminary reports, several dozen drones hit ground-level infrastructure at the production complex. Emergency crews and technical staff are inspecting the site to assess the extent of the damage.

The ministry noted that Russia has repeatedly targeted Ukraine’s oil refining capacity, citing previous strikes on June 15 and June 21.

Since March 2025, Ukraine has recorded more than 2,900 attacks on its energy infrastructure. Officials condemned the ongoing strikes as systematic “terrorist attacks” and a blatant violation of international humanitarian law.

Foreign troop deployment to Ukraine was not discussed during the Washington talks - NATO chief

The possibility of sending U.S. or European troops to Ukraine was not discussed during President Volodymyr Zelensky’s Aug. 18 meeting in Washington with U.S. President Donald Trump and European leaders, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte told Fox News.

“We have not discussed that at all today,” Rutte said when asked whether foreign troops could be deployed. “That will be part of the discussions, which will now start. We will try to bring them to the next stage of understanding over the coming days and weeks, of course.”

Zelensky traveled to Washington on Aug. 18 with several European leaders following Trump’s Aug. 15 summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska. Trump has cast himself as a mediator seeking a ceasefire, while European leaders have emphasized the need for binding security guarantees for Kyiv.

“We discussed the security guarantees, and we will work on those over the coming days and then have another meeting virtually with this group of leaders and the president (Trump),” Rutte added.

Ukraine has warned that without firm commitments, Russia could regroup after any potential ceasefire and attempt another invasion.

France and the U.K. have already pledged to contribute troops to a possible international force to enforce a ceasefire, while other allies have signaled willingness to provide air and naval support.

French President Emmanuel Macron, who joined Zelensky and Trump in Washington, stressed that the guarantees would not include NATO membership but instead rely on a strong Ukrainian army backed by commitments from a “coalition of the willing.” The coalition includes more than 30 countries, among them European states, Canada, and Japan.

Trump has so far avoided giving a clear answer on whether U.S. troops could be part of such guarantees.

The number of casualties from Russia's 18 August strike on Zaporizhzhia rose to 36

The number of people injured in a Russian strike on the city of Zaporizhzhia on the morning of Aug. 18 has risen to 36, local authorities reported. Three people were killed in the attack.

A 16-year-old girl and a 14-year-old boy were taken to the hospital. Doctors have assessed their condition as moderate,” the head of Zaporizhzhia Oblast Military Administration reported.

According to updated figures, the total number of injured now stands at 36.