Donald Trump has warned “you’ll see things happen” if the US is unhappy with Vladimir Putin’s decisions over the war in Ukraine.
Speaking alongside the Polish president Karol Nawrocki on Wednesday, the US president said he was awaiting a decision from Putin, as he spoke of the ongoing loss of lives in the region due to the conflict.
Putin had earlier said he would be prepared to meet Volodymyr Zelensky in Moscow following weeks of apparent stalling on peace talks since the summit in Alaska.
"I have no message to President Putin," Mr Trump told reporters at the White House.
"He knows where I stand and he'll make a decision one way or another. Whatever his decision is, we'll either be happy about it or unhappy about it and if we're unhappy about it, you'll see things happen."
Putin said on Wednesday he believed "that if common sense prevails, it is possible to agree on an acceptable option for ending the conflict," adding that Mr Trump has "a sincere desire" to find a settlement.
"It seems to me that there is a certain light at the end of the tunnel," Putin said at a news conference in Beijing, wrapping up a four-day visit to China. "Let's see how the situation develops. If not, then we will have to achieve our goal by military means."
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Key Points
- Trump suggests he has more action planned against Putin
- Putin says Zelensky 'can come to Moscow for meeting'
- Putin's offer of Moscow leaders meeting in unacceptable: Kyiv
- US president vows never to pull American troops out of Poland
- Trump to join call with European leaders, Zelensky tomorrow
Recap: Trump promises to keep backing Poland with troops
04:02 , Jane DaltonDonald Trump on Wednesday said the US could increase its troop presence in Poland and pledged to secure the country's defences during a White House meeting with its conservative nationalist president, Karol Nawrocki.
Mr Trump said the US had a "tremendous relationship" with Poland. Asked whether he planned to keep American troops in Poland, Trump said yes. "We'll put more there if they want," he said.
The US military presence on Nato's eastern flank, including Poland, remains one of the central issues for Warsaw, which is seeking assurances of continued support in the midst of Russia's war with Ukraine.
Ukraine to roll out sweeteners for soldiers over 24
03:01 , Jane DaltonUkraine may roll out benefits previously offered only to new recruits aged 18-24 to older age groups, President Zelensky's Deputy Chief of Staff Pavlo Palisa said, according to the Kyiv Independent.
Ukraine introduced updated military contracts, also known as the "18-24" contracts, in early 2025. These contracts target volunteers aged 18 to 24 who are not yet subject to conscription.
They offered those who commit to a one-year service contract a one-million-hryvnia (£18,000) bonus, paid in three instalments.
Analysis: Putin rehabilitation is almost complete
02:02 , Jane DaltonWhat the Kremlin leader cares about is “Making Russia Great Again”, writes Owen Matthews:
Putin’s rehabilitation is almost complete – and he’s busy ‘making Russia great again’
We'll get strong security guarantees thanks to France, Zelensky says
01:01 , Jane DaltonUkrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky says he believes his efforts with France will deliver strong security guarantees.
Mr Zelensky and French leader Emmanuel Macron gave each other warm hugs when they met for talks in Paris.
France stands with Ukraine, and we are grateful to the entire French nation and personally to President @EmmanuelMacron for such strong support for our country and for France’s leadership in many initiatives and coalitions.
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) September 3, 2025
During today’s meeting with President Macron, we… pic.twitter.com/aetr8HjfvK
China summit with Putin may signal geopolitical shift
Wednesday 3 September 2025 23:59 , Jane Dalton
A summit and parade in China may signal a geopolitical shift. They might also be political jockeying
Pictures: Ukrainians shelter inside a metro station as Russian strike drones fly over Kyiv
Wednesday 3 September 2025 23:00 , Steffie Banatvala
Ukrainian children forced to learn underground as new year starts in the shadow of Russian assaults
Wednesday 3 September 2025 22:00 , Steffie BanatvalaPupils across Ukraine returned to school on Monday, embarking on a new academic year under the shadow of Russia’s ongoing invasion, with many lessons now taking place underground.
On the ground: North Korea sending another 6,000 troops to Russia
Wednesday 3 September 2025 21:00 , Steffie BanatvalaNEW: Russian President Vladimir Putin leveraged a meeting with Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico to pretend to offer marginal concessions to US demands while continuing to refuse to meet actual US demands and while blaming Europe and the United States for provoking Russian… pic.twitter.com/MN2572Hqiw
— Institute for the Study of War (@TheStudyofWar) September 2, 2025
ICYMI: China trialling visa-free travel for Russians: Putin adviser
Wednesday 3 September 2025 20:00 , Steffie BanatvalaChina will extend visa-free travel to ordinary passport holders from Russia on a trial basis, its foreign ministry said on Tuesday.
The visa exemption will be for a period of a year from September 15, with entry to China of no more than 30 days.
Zelensky seeks 'sanctions, tariffs, any pressure' on Russia
Wednesday 3 September 2025 19:30 , Jane DaltonUkrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has said officials will "try to connect" with President Trump to hear about new ways to increase pressure on Russia.
The Ukrainian leader recalled, in Denmark, how he and Mr Trump had previously discussed ways the United States could put pressure on Russia to lead Vladimir Putin to engage in political negotiations over the war.
Mr Zelensky said he'd asked Mr Trump to put "sanctions, tariffs, any pressure" he could on Russia if Mr Putin did not agree to a "diplomatic format of dialogue, not the dialogue by weapon".
“When we speak about pressure, we mean air defence, we mean weapon deals, we mean drone production, and of course, of course, sanctions," the Ukrainian leader said at a news conference alongside Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen.
"Such signals we gave (the) president of the United States. He said 'couple of weeks', and he will answer on this," Mr Zelensky said of Mr Trump.
"'Couple of weeks', in my understanding, it's two weeks or maximum three weeks. This Monday, two weeks ended."
All Ukraine’s bold attacks on Russia explained
Wednesday 3 September 2025 19:00 , Steffie Banatvala
All Ukraine’s bold attacks on Russia after nuclear plant hit in Kursk
I will know plan after speaking to Zelensky, says Trump
Wednesday 3 September 2025 18:32 , Jane DaltonUS president Donald Trump has said he will be speaking to Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelensky soon and he will know what to do after that to end the war.
Asked by a UK reporter about his two-week deadline for Vladimir Putin to agree to a meeting with Mr Zelensky, which expires early next week, Mr Trump said: “I'm having a conversation with him very shortly, and I'll know pretty much what we're going to be doing.
“We've taken very strong action, as you know, and in other ways, we've taken very strong action.
“But I'll be speaking to him over the next few days, and we're going to see with whom... I'm going to know exactly what's happening.
“I'm not happy with all the people. You got 7,819 people killed last week, Russian soldiers and Ukraine soldiers, right? Not American soldiers, not soldiers from Poland, but they're human beings, they’re souls. They have parents. They wave goodbye to their parents, and the parents never see them again. Over a stupid war, and I want to see it stopped now.”
Mr Trump had said: “I'm having a conversation with him very shortly,” and it was not clear to whom he was referring. A White House official later clarified the president had been referring to Mr Zelensky, not Mr Putin.
Trump vows never to pull US soldiers out of Poland
Wednesday 3 September 2025 18:07 , Jane DaltonPresident Trump has hailed the “very special relationship” between the US and Poland, vowing never to pull American troops out of the country that borders Ukraine.
And he said he could even increase their numbers.
“We never even thought in terms of removing soldiers from Poland,” he said during a visit by Polish president Karol Nawrocki to the White House.
“We think about it with regard to other countries but we’re with Poland all the way and we will help Poland protect itself.
“We’ll put more there if they want,” Mr Trump said.
Mr Nawrocki said it was the first time in the 20th and 21st century his country was happy to have foreign soldiers on its land.
The US has nearly 10,000 soldiers in Poland.
Czech government approves buying 44 Leopard 2A8 tanks
Wednesday 3 September 2025 18:00 , Steffie Banatvala
The Czech government has approved army plans to buy Leopard 2A8 tanks from Germany as part of its modernisation efforts.
The NATO member Czech Republic will agree a framework agreement with the German defence ministry for the purchases, Defence Minister Jana Cernochova said. A binding order could be sent in the coming weeks.
- First phase: Czech Republic will buy 44 tanks for 34.2 billion crowns (£1.2 billion) to be delivered in 2028-2031, which an option buy a further 14.
- It is also in talks to buy up to 19 specialised version 2A8s under a separate deal to have up to 77 of the 2A8 tanks overall.
Ending war harder than I expected, Trump admits
Wednesday 3 September 2025 17:47 , Jane DaltonDonald Trump has admitted ending the Russia-Ukraine war is much harder than he had expected.
“I think we're going to have a good solution, but they're losing soldiers at levels that nobody has seen since the Second World War,” he said.
“This is the worst conflict, and it's just going on and on. It's one's defence, one's offense. The offence moves a little bit, just a little bit. You take a look, they move inches. They're dropping bombs and killing everybody.
“Not, since the Second World War has there been anything even close to this.
“And they're not soldiers from my country. This is my country, but I have a power to end things. That's why I was able to end seven other wars.”
He said the seven others were tough to end, “much tougher I thought than the war with Ukraine and Russia”.
“I thought that Ukraine and Russia – have a very good relationship with President Putin. I thought that that would be much easier.
“I thought that would be in the middle of the pack, maybe one of the easiest. Sometimes you never know with war. You know war is a very interesting thing. War is complex and dangerous and and what a mess, what a bloody mess.
“It's going to get done one way or the other, but they have to stop killing all of these souls, their souls, and we have to stop killing."
Trump suggests he has more action planned against Putin
Wednesday 3 September 2025 17:29 , Jane DaltonDonald Trump has suggested he has more action planned against Vladimir Putin over the war.
During a visit to the White House by Polish president Karol Nawrocki, a Polish reporter asked the US leader why there had been "no US action" against Russia since he took office.
Mr Trump denied this, citing US sanctions on India over its continued purchase of Russian oil.
"You call that no action?” he said. “And I haven't done phase two yet. Or phase three."
I have no more message for Putin, says Trump
Wednesday 3 September 2025 17:15 , Jane DaltonUS president Donald Trump has said he has no further message for Vladimir Putin and awaited a decision as Russia continued to show little interest in ending its war with Ukraine.
"I have no message to President Putin," he told reporters at the White House.
"He knows where I stand and he'll make a decision one way or another. Whatever his decision is, we'll either be happy about it or unhappy about it and if we're unhappy about it, you'll see things happen."
He said he would know in the coming days what he would do over Russia’s stance.
”I think we’re going to have a good solution,” he said.
Russia was moving “inches”, he said.
He admitted he had thought solving the war would be easy but that it was now a “bloody war” and would get solved one way or another.
Zelensky says air defence supplies 'absolutely strategic' for Ukraine ahead of winter
Wednesday 3 September 2025 17:00 , Steffie BanatvalaPresident Volodymyr Zelensky has said that air defence systems supplies were 'absolutely strategic' for Ukraine ahead of the winter as Russia targets energy infrastructure with its airstrikes.
Trump to join call with European leaders, Zelensky tomorrow
Wednesday 3 September 2025 17:00 , Steffie BanatvalaZelensky and several European leaders are due to call Trump tomorrow afternoon after a summit, the French presidency has said.
Some 30 leaders will take stock “of the progress of discussions on security guarantees for Ukraine, as a necessary pre-requisite for any future peace agreement, and to decide further steps, in order to continue to support Ukraine and to bring Russia to the negotiating table," according to a concept note seen by Reuters sent to attendees.
Putin's offer of Moscow leaders meeting in unacceptable: Kyiv
Wednesday 3 September 2025 16:55 , Steffie BanatvalaKyiv has said Putin's proposal to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Moscow is unacceptable.
Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said that at least seven countries, including Austria, the Vatican, Switzerland and three Gulf states, were ready to host the meeting.
“These are serious proposals and President Zelensky is ready for such a meeting at any point in time,” he said on X. “Yet, Putin continues to mess around with everyone by making knowingly unacceptable proposals.”
Putin tells Ukraine he will end the war by force if Zelensky does not 'agree acceptable solution'
Wednesday 3 September 2025 16:23 , Steffie BanatvalaIt seems to me that if common sense prevails, it will be possible to agree on an acceptable solution to end this conflict... Let's see how the situation develops. If not, then we will have to resolve all the tasks before us by force of arms.
Russia says it attacked Ukraine's fuel and transport infrastructure
Wednesday 3 September 2025 16:15 , Steffie BanatvalaRussia's defence ministry said on Wednesday that its troops had attacked Ukraine's fuel and transport infrastructure used for military purposes.
Nato's Rutte expects clarity soon on 'coalition of the willing' security guarantees for Ukraine
Wednesday 3 September 2025 15:45 , Steffie BanatvalaNATO chief Mark Rutte said on Wednesday that he expects clarity at tomorrow's Paris meeting or soon afterward on what the "coalition of the willing" can deliver in terms of security guarantees for Ukraine.
He made the remarks during a joint press conference with Estonian President Alar Karis.
Trump's conspiracy comments shows 'sense of humour': Putin
Wednesday 3 September 2025 15:35 , Steffie BanatvalaPutin said on Wednesday that Trump had a sense of humour for suggesting that the Russian leader had conspired with his Chinese and North Korean counterparts against the United States.
Putin said that all countries with which Moscow held talks in China supported the Russia-US summit in Alaska and had expressed hopes that the talks could help end the war in Ukraine.
It comes after Trump said he was "very disappointed" with Putin, and suggested in a post on Truth Social that Xi, Putin and Kim were conspiring against the United States.
Putin says current US administration has will to end war: 'light at the end of the tunnel'
Wednesday 3 September 2025 15:21 , Steffie BanatvalaAsked whether there is a chance that the war will end soon, Putin said there is a light at the end of the tunnel.
“If common sense is there, then it is possible to agree an acceptable way of ending this conflict,” he said a press conference in Beijing.
“The current administration of the United States... has the will and desire to find this solution. I think there is a light at the end of the tunnel.”
Putin says Zelensky 'can come to Moscow for meeting'
Wednesday 3 September 2025 15:00 , Steffie BanatvalaPutin has said he is ready to meet Zelensky if the meeting is “well prepared” and if the Ukrainian leader travels to Moscow.
"I've never refused to do that," he said. "And by the way, Donald asked me if it was possible and said it was possible. I said, let him come to Moscow."
It comes as Putin and his North Korean counterpart were the guests of honour, flanked by Xi, at a massive military parade in Beijing.
Trump to welcome Polish President Nawrocki to White House
Wednesday 3 September 2025 14:45 , Steffie Banatvala
US President Donald Trump is set to welcome Polish President Karol Nawrocki back to the White House today, with their meeting likely to focus on Ukraine and energy security.
Trump invited Mr Nawrocki after backing the conservative nationalist at a crucial moment of the Polish elections.
The president previously hosted him at the White House in May.
Germany says Ukraine coalition meeting might invite Trump into call
Wednesday 3 September 2025 14:15 , Steffie Banatvala“Coalition of the willing” countries taking part in a hybrid call on support for Ukraine in Paris on Thursday are considering inviting US President Donald Trump, a German government spokesperson said.
"I can't pre-empt anything but there are deliberations to dial in the US president," the spokesperson said during a press briefing in Berlin.
Pictures: Danish PM hosts Zelensky for summit
Wednesday 3 September 2025 13:45 , Steffie Banatvala
IMF mission starts work in Kyiv as Ukraine seeks funds for 2026
Wednesday 3 September 2025 13:15 , Steffie BanatvalaAn International Monetary Fund mission has started work in Ukraine as Kyiv seeks funds to cover a gaping hole in its wartime budget next year.
Kyiv's spending on the army is continuing to rise as Russia's war in Ukraine drags on, and the financing gap is growing.
"Our focus: budget 2026, fiscal forecast, structural reforms. We align the next steps of cooperation, taking into account the needs of the state budget for the coming years," Finance Minister Serhiy Marchenko said in a post on X.
The government is yet to unveil its draft budget for next year. This year's budget deficit is planned at about $38 billion.
Denmark to host Ukrainian long-range missile fuel production
Wednesday 3 September 2025 13:01 , Steffie BanatvalaA Ukrainian weapons manufacturer will begin production of fuel for long-range missiles in Denmark, the Danish government said on Wednesday, marking the first expansion abroad by a Ukrainian defence company.
The Ukrainian company is Fire Point, maker of the Flamingo missiles, which President Volodymyr Zelensky has described as his country's most successful weapon.
In June, Zelensky said Ukraine was in talks on joint weapons production with Denmark, Norway, Germany, Canada, Britain, and Lithuania.
The fuel production will be located near Denmark's Skydstrup air force base, home to the Nordic country's fleet of F-16 fighter jets.
Russian soldier accused of war crimes in Ukraine appointed government minister: Meduza reports
Wednesday 3 September 2025 12:45 , Steffie BanatvalaTemirlan Abutalimov, a Russian war veteran, has been appointed acting minister for National Policy and Religious Affairs in Dagestan.
He participated in the "Time of Heroes" program, launched by Putin to prepare veterans for public service.
Abutalimov is also wanted by Ukraine for alleged war crimes involving the execution of surrendered soldiers.
Pictures: Ukrainians take shelter inside a metro station during a Russian air attack on Kyiv
Wednesday 3 September 2025 12:15 , Steffie Banatvala
Kremlin says Merz's opinion on Ukraine talks should be disregarded after his criticism of Putin
Wednesday 3 September 2025 11:48 , Steffie BanatvalaThe Kremlin has said that German Chancellor Friedrich Merz's views on Ukraine peace talks should be disregarded after he had made what Moscow called a series of "unfavorouble" remarks about Putin.
Merz said in an interview on Tuesday that Putin was "perhaps the most serious war criminal of our time" and that there was no place for leniency for such individuals.
Russia denies its forces have committed any war crimes in Ukraine or that Putin has given any orders that could be considered war crimes.
Asked during a trip to China about a proposal from Merz that Geneva should be the venue for Ukraine-Russia peace talks, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said it was hardly possible to take Merz's opinions into account after his recent statements.
