DONATE

Current News

Archives

Focus Areas

< Back

July 30, 2025

Institute for the Study of War: Trump demands Russia begin peace talks with Ukraine by Aug 8. 

Institute for the Study of War

US President Donald Trump specified a deadline of no later than August 8 for Russian President Vladimir Putin to engage in meaningful negotiations for an end to Russia’s war against Ukraine. Trump stated on July 29 that he is “disappointed” in Putin and clarified that his previous deadline for Russia to meaningfully engage in negotiations to end the war by August 7 to 9 will now fall 10 days from July 29, on August 8.[1] Trump stated that he has not received “any response” from Putin regarding Trump’s previously articulated 50-day and August 7 to 9 deadlines and assessed that Putin aims to seize “the whole” of Ukraine and “probably” wants to “keep the war going.” Trump stated that he will impose tariffs and secondary sanctions against Russia’s economic partners on August 8 to pressure Russia into negotiations if Putin again fails to agree to negotiations. US Department of State Spokesperson Tammy Bruce stated on July 29 that Trump may choose to levy tariffs and secondary sanctions sooner than the August 8 deadline, as Trump “pretty much [knows] what the situation [is].”[2]

Trump announced on July 30 that the United States will impose a 25 percent tariff and unspecified additional economic penalties on India due to India’s continued purchases of Russian military equipment and energy since the start of Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine.[3] ISW previously noted that India continues to pursue military cooperation and a strategic economic relationship with Russia while it simultaneously deepens ties with Western states.[4] India has benefitted from cheap Russian energy since February 2022 and has become one of the largest importers of Russian oil, signing a 10-year energy deal in December 2024 to receive roughly 500,000 barrels of Russian oil daily.[5] India also continued to procure and commission Russian-built military equipment until late 2024 and likely seeks to reduce but not eliminate its reliance on Russia for military equipment.[6] India notably purchased five S-400 air defense systems from Russia in September 2018, but Russia reportedly delayed the delivery of these systems in March 2024 until 2026 to support Russia’s own war effort.[7] Russia also leverages its relationship with India to access critical electronic components and machinery for the Russian defense industrial base (DIB).[8]

Russian forces continue to systematically violate the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC), to which it is a signatory. The Ukrainian Security Service (SBU) reported on July 30 that it has documented over 10,000 instances of Russian forces using ammunition equipped with chemical agents, which the CWC prohibits, since the start of the full-scale invasion in February 2022.[30] The SBU noted that Russian forces frequently use ampoules filled with chloropicrin and aerosol grenades equipped with chlorobenzylidenemalononitrile (CS) and chloroacetophenone (CN) — both of which are types of riot control (RC) agents. The SBU stated that Russian forces most often use drones to drop chemical munitions on Ukrainian positions along the frontline in order to dislodge Ukrainian soldiers from fortified positions. The SBU recorded the largest number of incidents in Nikopol, Dnipropetrovsk Oblast (southwest of Zaporizhzhia City and across the Kakhovka Reservoir from Russian positions in occupied Enerhodar, Zaporizhia Oblast). ISW has observed reports that Russian forces have coated Shahed-type drones in poisonous substances, likely as part of the Kremlin’s efforts to inflict greater casualties on Ukrainian civilians.[31]

Key Takeaways:

  • US President Donald Trump specified a deadline of no later than August 8 for Russian President Vladimir Putin to engage in meaningful negotiations for an end to Russia’s war against Ukraine.
  • Kremlin officials continued to posture economic strength in response to US President Donald Trump’s proposed economic measures targeting Russia and rejected Trump’s efforts to end the war in Ukraine.
  • The Russian Presidential Administration reportedly issued guidance to Russian state and pro-Kremlin media outlets and commentators to promote narratives aimed at weakening the United States–European Union (EU) alliance.
  • Russian officials are already amplifying the Russian Presidential Administration’s talking points about the US–EU trade deal and likely intend to hinder US–European cooperation in support of Ukraine and collective European defense.
  • The Kremlin continues to promote an informal state ideology centered on Russian nationalism that Russia may intend to use in justification of a protracted war in Ukraine and a future conflict against NATO.
  • Russian forces continue to systematically violate the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC), to which it is a signatory.
  • Ukrainian forces recently advanced near Pokrovsk and Velykomykhailivka. Russian forces recently advanced near Lyman. 
Share the Post:
Close

Wilson Center

Forced displacement represents one of the most pressing humanitarian issues of our time. Individuals and families, torn from the fabric of their communities, find themselves navigating a world of uncertainty, often without basic necessities or a clear path to safety. There are currently some 110 million forced displaced, and this number is growing by 10 million each year!

At the heart of this crisis are the political triggers. Armed conflicts, ethnic or religious persecutions, and systemic human rights abuses force millions to flee their homes in terror. Many are displaced within their own national boundaries, while others seek asylum abroad. If these factors change as a result of political shifts at home or the pressures from abroad, they can return to their homes. Forced displacement is thus different from environmentally driven displacement, as victims of climate change may never be able to return to their homes.

The ramifications of any sort of displacement are profound, not just for those directly affected, but also for host communities and countries. Overburdened infrastructures, socio-economic strains, and cultural tensions can arise, necessitating comprehensive strategies to foster harmony and integration. Yet the root causes of forced displacement can be remedied with a concerted focus by local players and international diplomacy.

Organizations like Refugees International play a crucial role in this arena, advocating for the rights and needs of the displaced, conducting on-the-ground assessments, and influencing policymakers to take informed actions. Their relentless work underscores the gravity of the situation and the urgency ofinternational cooperation. But they, too, are overwhelmed by the rapid expansion of the crisis.

International Humanitarian Law (IHL), with its core principles centered on the protection of civilians during conflicts, plays a pivotal role in this discourse. Yet, despite clear legal frameworks, compliance remains
inconsistent. This initiative emphasizes the importance of upholding and reinforcing these international standards.

It’s not just about recognizing the problem; it’s about active engagement. We urge governments, organizations, and individuals to prioritize the rights and needs of the forced displaced. Through collective efforts, informed policies, and sustained advocacy, we can shift the narrative from passive acknowledgment to proactive intervention.