KREMLIN YET TO AGREE TO ZELENSKY MEETING: President Donald Trump is finding out that dealing with Vladimir Putin can be an exercise in thinking you have a deal, only to find the Russian president has added some fine print to the agreement. It turns out Trump is having a little trouble getting delivery on the two main “deliverables” from last week’s Alaska summit — a Putin-Zelensky sitdown and an acceptance of security guarantees to prevent Russia from resuming its invasion in the future.
In a Tuesday morning interview on Fox & Friends, Trump was hedging about whether the promised meeting would happen. “I sort of set it up with Putin and Zelensky,” he said. “You know, they’re the ones that have to call the shots. We’re 7,000 miles away in all fairness.”
“We’re trying to work out a meeting with President Zelensky. We’ll see what happens there. And then if that works out, if it works out, then I’ll go to the trilat and close it up,” Trump said.
At the White House, press secretary Karoline Leavitt sounded a little more definitive, until a reporter pressed her. At the top of her briefing, Leavitt indicated Putin had agreed to meet Zelensky and that special envoy Steve Witkoff was coordinating the details with Ukraine and Russia. “I understand accommodations for that meeting are underway,” she said.
But when questioned about the lack of confirmation from the Kremlin, Leavitt gave a nebulous answer. “I can assure you that the United States government and the Trump administration is working with both Russia and Ukraine to make that bilateral happen as we speak.”
WHITE HOUSE PRESSING TOWARD PUTIN-ZELENSKY BILATERAL DESPITE KREMLIN’S SILENCE
LAVROV: NOT SO FAST: Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Tuesday that before any meeting at the leaders’ level could be held, a lot of groundwork would have to be done.
“These formats are designed for step-by-step, consistent preparations for summits, from the expert level and up,” Larov said in an interview with a Russian media outlet. “Any contacts involving top officials must be prepared extremely carefully.”
“We are not rejecting any forms of work, either bilateral or trilateral,” Lavrov said. He then added in the next breath, “It is important that any formats, 1+1, 1+2, or multilateral formats which exist in abundance, including within the UN, are not exploited for the purpose of media coverage, in morning newspapers or in evening news, or on social media, to skim the propaganda cream off the top,” according to the English transcript posted on Foreign Ministry webpage.
“The reality is that every indication from Moscow from the moment they reported on the phone call suggests that there’s not going to be a meeting between President Putin and President Zelensky,” said Ivo Daalder, former U.S. ambassador to NATO. “That’s not a surprise because President Putin has never wanted to meet President Zelensky. He’s only done it once, way back before the war started, or at least a full-scale invasion started.”
“I think it’s going to be very hard for that meeting to come about,” Daalder said on CNN. “And it raises a larger issue. I mean, for all of the hubbub that we have seen, the meetings and the hours of diplomacy, and the Europeans running around, and the president flying to Alaska and getting on the call and doing virtual calls, nothing much has changed.”
EDITORIAL: UKRAINE PEACE REQUIRES TRUMP TO DEMAND ACTION FROM PUTIN
TRUMP: NO U.S. BOOTS IN UKRAINE: When President Trump was asked Monday if U.S. troops might be part of the security guarantees for Ukraine after a peace deal is reached, he gave a coy answer. “We’ll let you know that maybe later today,” Trump responded. “We’re going to help them out. We’ll be involved.”
But during his Fox & Friends appearance, Trump promised he would never send U.S. troops to Ukraine. “You have my assurance, and I’m president,” he said, while not ruling out that American airpower might be part of the security package.
“When it comes to security, they’re willing to put people on the ground. We’re willing to help them with things especially — probably if you talk about by air, because nobody has the kind of stuff we have,” Trump said.
Trump said that if allies were to send peacekeepers into Ukraine, they would not be under a NATO banner. “We’ve got the European nations, and they’ll frontload it, and some of them, France and Germany, a couple of them, U.K., they want to have, you know, boots on the ground,” Trump said.
“It can’t be NATO because that’s just not something that would ever, ever happen. They couldn’t do that. Who would want that?” he said. “I mean, if you were Russia, who would want to have your enemy, your opponent sitting on your line? You don’t do that.”
Russia has already “unequivocally rejected” the deployment of any “NATO military contingents” to Ukraine, while blaming Europe, specifically the U.K., for “fanning the flames of the Ukrainian conflict. “London remains obsessed with relentlessly escalating the conflict,” Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said Monday.
“I would like to reiterate that we value the understanding shown by the current U.S. administration,” said Lavov. “Unlike the European approach, it appears to be sincerely striving to understand the core of the problem and help resolve the root causes of this crisis.”
RUSSIAN OFFICIAL DECRIES NATO STATES SUGGESTING SENDING TROOPS TO UKRAINE
Good Tuesday morning and welcome to Jamie McIntyre’s Daily on Defense, written and compiled by Washington Examiner National Security Senior Writer Jamie McIntyre (@jamiejmcintyre) and edited by Christopher Tremoglie. Email here with tips, suggestions, calendar items, and anything else. Sign up or read current and back issues at DailyonDefense.com. If signing up doesn’t work, shoot us an email and we’ll add you to our list. And be sure to follow me on Threads and/or on X @jamiejmcintyre.
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TRUMP’S HOT MIC MOMENT: At the end of Monday’s White House meeting with Zelensky and seven European leaders, President Trump was caught on a hot microphone telling French President Emmanuel Macron that he thought Russian President Vladimir Putin would eventually agree to a peace deal as a personal favor to him.
“I think he wants to make a deal,” Trump said. “I think he wants to make a deal for me. Do you understand that? As crazy as it sounds.”
“I agree with President Trump, sounds crazy. It sounds crazy,” said William Taylor, former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine. “President Putin is a manipulator. [He] has been manipulating President Trump for months. And President Trump had figured that out, had seen through it. So, I think it does sound crazy to think that Putin is doing it for Donald Trump.”
“I think delusional is the exact word to be used,” said Ivo Daalder, former U.S. ambassador to NATO. “The idea that Vladimir Putin will do something for the good of Donald Trump is ridiculous. Vladimir Putin does something for the good of Vladimir Putin.”
The war is not going to end “because Donald Trump is a nice guy,” Daadler said. “It’s going to end when [Putin] has achieved his objectives or he concludes that those objectives are no longer achievable.”
Rep. Adam Smith (D-WA), the top Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee, called Trump’s comment “Narcissism on display at a very, very troubling time.”
“Putin wants all of Ukraine. And what he wants is he wants to play Donald Trump long enough so that he has the opportunity to take it,” Smith said on MSNBC. “And anybody with any common sense whatsoever knows that, but he doesn’t seem to.”
REMEMBERING HARRY DISCH: For several decades, Harry Disch was a familiar face to anyone who covered defense and national security in Washington. A former scientist with an intense interest in foreign affairs, Disch founded a non-profit company, The Center for Media and Security, which hosted a frequent breakfast meeting for defense writers to meet with high-level Pentagon and congressional leaders.
In addition he got sponsors to fund off-the-record dinners for broadcast reporters to get important context from senior military officers and Pentagon officials.
Disch died on Aug. 15 at the age of 71 after what was described as a brief illness. His legacy survives him. His Defense Writers Group continues operating under George Washington University’s Project for Media and National Security.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
THE RUNDOWN:
Washington Examiner: White House pressing toward Putin-Zelensky bilateral despite Kremlin’s silence
Washington Examiner: Russian official decries NATO states suggesting sending troops to Ukraine
Washington Examiner: Editorial: Ukraine peace requires Trump to demand action from Putin
Washington Examiner: US and Canada kick off training mission in Alaska highlighting state’s ‘criticality’
Washington Examiner: Netanyahu’s right flank urges no deal on latest Hamas-approved proposal
Washington Examiner: Tension grows between Israel and Australia over visa revocation
Washington Examiner: Trump tariffs push China and India to reconcile despite violent border disputes
Washington Examiner: DHS to deny immigration benefits to those with ‘anti-American’ views
Washington Examiner: Largest-ever immigrant detention site opened at Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas
Washington Examiner: Kristi Noem announces new ‘Cornhusker Clink’ facility in Nebraska for illegal immigrants
Washington Examiner: Trump nominated for Nobel Peace Prize by House GOP allies
Washington Examiner: North Korea’s Kim gives warning as US and South Korea begin joint military drills
Washington Examiner: Trump yanks security clearances from 37 intelligence officials who ‘have abused the public trust’
Wall Street Journal: US Is Prepared to Use Airpower to Support Planned European Force in Ukraine
The War Zone: New Ukrainian Cruise Missile with Claimed 1,800-Mile Range Breaks Cover
Washington Post: Hegseth’s expansive security requirements tax Army protective unit
AP: Israeli military will call up 50,000 reservists as it plans new phase of war in Gaza
Breaking Defense: Army Seeks Tech to Dominate Drone-Filled ‘Air-Ground Littoral’ Domain
Defense News: NATO Beware: Drones Can’t Replace Tanks, Experts Warn
AP: DHS Secretary says entire southern border wall to be painted black to stop people from climbing it
Air & Space Forces Magazine: Air Force Lays Out Process to Dismiss Transgender Troops
Military.com: Pentagon drops coverage of GLP-1 weight loss meds for medicare-eligible retirees
Defense One: DARPA Wants to Hook Tomorrow’s Quantum Gear into Today’s Networks
Aviation Week: Space Force Demonstrates New Protected Tactical Waveform
Air & Space Forces Magazine: Outside Perspectives Shape Space Force’s Top Wargame
DefenseScoop: Space Force Stands Up Third ‘System Delta’ Acquisition Unit, Plans to Activate Five More in 2025
Air & Space Forces Magazine: Space Force Unveils New Dress and Appearance Policy as It Preps for Fresh Uniforms
Air & Space Forces Magazine: How the Air Force Launches a 10-Ship Tanker Sortie in 24 Hours
Task & Purpose: Air Force Says Jets Did Not Exceed Mach 1 in Low Passes over Chicago
AP: Alaska man gifted $22,000 motorcycle by Russian government after viral interview
AP: Is this thing on? Accidental authenticity of Trump’s hot mic moment is latest in a long global list
AP: Trump says he has ended seven wars. The reality isn’t so clear cut
THE CALENDAR:
WEDNESDAY | AUGUST 20
8:55 a.m. 801 N Glebe Rd., Arlington, Virginia — Institute for Defense and Government Advancement “2025 Counter UAS Summit,” with Col. Scott McLellan, military deputy of the Army Joint C-sUAS Office https://www.idga.org/events-counteruas-usa
9 a.m. — Peterson Institute for International Economics virtual discussion: “Are the Sanctions on Russia Finally Working?” with Torbjorn Becker, director, Stockholm School of Economics Institute of Transition Economics; Elina Ribakova, vice president of foreign policy, Kyiv School of Economics; and Cecilia Malmstrom, PIIE nonresident senior fellow https://www.piie.com/events/2025/are-sanctions-russia-finally-working
10 a.m. — New America a virtual book discussion: Great Power, Great Responsibility: How the Liberal International Order Shapes U.S. Foreign Policy with author Michael Poznansky, associate professor, Naval War College’s Strategic and Operational Research Department https://www.newamerica.org/planetary-politics/events/great-power-great-responsibility
10 a.m. — Center for Strategic and International Studies virtual discussion: “The Future of U.S.-Australia Critical Minerals Cooperation,” with Australian Ambassador to the U.S. Kevin Rudd; and Gracelin Baskaran, director, CSIS Critical Minerals Security Program https://www.csis.org/events/future-us-australia-critical-minerals-cooperation
10 a.m. — New America virtual book discussion: Great Power, Great Responsibility: How the Liberal International Order Shapes U.S. Foreign Policy, with author Michael Poznansky, associate professor, Naval War College Strategic and Operational Research Department https://www.newamerica.org/planetary-politics/events/great-power-great-responsibility
2 p.m. — Center for Strategic and International Studies virtual media briefing: “Previewing White House Visit of South Korean President Lee Jae Myung,” with Victor Cha, CSIS Korea chair; Philip Luck, director, CSIS Economics Program; Sydney Seiler, CSIS Korea chair; and Katrin Fraser Katz, CSIS Korea chair https://www.csis.org/events/press-briefing-previewing
8 p.m. — Jews United for Democracy and Justice virtual discussion: “How the West Deceived Itself About Russia and Betrayed Ukraine,” with retired Army Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman, former director for European affairs at the National Security Council; and Madeleine Brand, host of the daily news and culture show Press Play https://www.jewsunitedfordemocracy.org/blog/event
THURSDAY | AUGUST 21
10 a.m. 1775 Massachusetts Ave. NW — Brookings Institution discussion: “Replicator and Beyond: The Future of Drone Warfare,” with T.S. Allen, former director of Replicator-1 at the Defense Department Defense Innovation Unit; former Marine Corps Commandant Gen. David Berger; and Aditi Kumar, former principal deputy director of Replicator-1 at the Defense Department Defense Innovation Unit https://www.brookings.edu/events/replicator-and-beyond-the-future-of-drone-warfare/
2 p.m. 214 Massachusetts Ave. NE — Heritage Foundation discussion: “Trump New Counterterrorism Strategy Landscape,” with Sebastian Gorka, deputy assistant to the president and senior director for counterterrorism at the National Security Council; and James Jay Carafano, senior counselor to the president and fellow at the Heritage Foundation https://www.heritage.org/terrorism/event/trump
FRIDAY | AUGUST 22
10 a.m. — National Institute for Deterrence Studies virtual seminar: “Deterrence in the Balance: Arms Control, Modernization, and Strategic Resolve,” with Mike Albertson, former senior adviser in the Office of the Secretary of Defense Office of Nuclear and Missile Defense Policy https://thinkdeterrence.com/events/deterrence-in-the-balance
TUESDAY | AUGUST 26
10 a.m. — Center for Strategic and International Studies Defense and Security Department and the U.S. Naval Institute or a Maritime Security Dialogue virtual and in-person discussion: “The Future of Naval Aviation,” with Vice Adm. Daniel Cheever, commander, Naval Air Forces and commander, Naval Air Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet in conversation with retired Rear Adm. Raymond Spicer, chief executive officer and publisher, U.S. Naval Institute https://www.csis.org/events/future-naval-aviation-conversation-vadm-cheever
TUESDAY | SEPTEMBER 2
3 p.m. Senate Chamber — Senate meets to resume consideration of the motion to proceed to S.2296, the “National Defense Authorization Act.” At approximately 5:30 p.m., the Senate will vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to S.2296. http://www.senate.gov
