Asiye Latife Yilmaz
17 August 2025•Update: 17 August 2025
ISTANBUL
Here’s a rundown of all the news you need to start your Sunday, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy saying he will meet with US President Donald Trump in Washington on Monday to discuss details on ending the war with Russia; European leaders expressing readiness to support Trump's efforts to advance peace talks on Ukraine, and Israel preparing to forcibly transfer Palestinians from Gaza City to the southern part of the enclave amid its reoccupation drive.
TOP STORIES
- Zelenskyy to meet Trump in Washington on Monday to discuss ‘details on ending war’
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he will head to Washington, DC on Monday to discuss "details regarding ending the killing and the war" with his US counterpart Donald Trump.
"On Monday, I will meet with President Trump in Washington, D.C. to discuss all of the details regarding ending the killing and the war. I am grateful for the invitation," Zelenskyy wrote on the US social media company X’s platform following a phone call with Trump, which he said initially started one-on-one but later included European leaders.
- European leaders ready to work with Trump, Zelenskyy on trilateral meeting with Russia
European leaders expressed readiness to support US President Donald Trump's efforts to advance peace talks on Ukraine.
A joint statement by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, French President Emmanuel Macron, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Finnish President Alexander Stubb, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk and European Council President Antonio Costa came after Trump debriefed European leaders and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on his Friday meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska.
The leaders said they welcomed Trump's efforts "to stop the killing in Ukraine, end Russia's war of aggression, and achieve a just and lasting peace."
- Israel prepares forced transfer of civilians in Gaza City amid reoccupation push
Israel’s military said it is preparing to forcibly move Palestinians from Gaza City to the southern part of the enclave as part of its broader plan to reoccupy the Gaza Strip, a move that has drawn widespread international criticism.
Army spokesman Avichay Adraee said in a statement that starting Sunday, the army would resume allowing the entry of tents and shelter equipment for Palestinians displaced by nearly two years of war.
He alleged the supplies would be brought in “under the supervision of the United Nations and international relief agencies” through the Kerem Shalom crossing in southern Gaza after “thorough inspections.” Neither the UN nor aid groups have issued immediate comment.
NEWS IN BRIEF
- China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi is scheduled to visit neighboring India to hold talks on the “Boundary Question.”
- Türkiye rejected "unfounded allegations” regarding the country in the 2024 Human Rights Report issued by the US Department of State.
- UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said "the path to peace in Ukraine cannot be decided” without involving Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
- French President Emmanuel Macron said that any lasting peace in Ukraine must be backed by strong security commitments.
- Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal slammed continued Russian attacks on Ukraine and urged increased pressure on Moscow.
- The EU foreign policy chief said that US President Donald Trump's determination to secure a peace deal is “vital” but warned that Russia has "no intention of ending” the war in Ukraine.
- The Turkish social media platform Next Sosyal has surpassed 1 million users.
- Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide has expressed regret over Denmark's decision not to recognize Palestine as a state.
- The UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) warned that at least 1 million women and girls in the Gaza Strip are facing mass starvation due to Israel’s months-long blockade and devastating war on the enclave.
- China has for the first time deployed an artificial intelligence (AI) system aboard its orbiting space station to assist astronauts with extravehicular activities.
- The US State Department suspended all visitor visas for Gaza Strip residents, citing a review of procedures used to grant recent medical and humanitarian entries.
- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin's talks in Alaska have given "new momentum" to efforts to end the Russia-Ukraine war.
- A group of eight Nordic and Baltic countries emphasized that the next step "must be together with Ukraine" to achieve a just and lasting peace.
- Libya’s High National Elections Commission (HNEC) said voting had concluded and ballot counting had begun in the second phase of municipal council elections for 26 municipalities.
BUSINESS & ECONOMY
- Canada orders striking Air Canada flight attendants back to work
More than 10,000 Air Canada flight attendants who went on strike will be ordered to return to work by the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB), said Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu.
Speaking at a news conference in Ottawa, Hajdu said she instructed the CIRB to order Air Canada and its employees to “resume and continue their operations and duties in order to secure industrial peace and protect the interests of Canada, Canadians and the economy.”
The announcement followed Air Canada's suspension of all operations in response to the strike.
