Last month was the deadliest since Putin launched his full-scale war on Ukraine three and a half years ago. In July alone, 286 civilians were killed and another 1,388, according to official data.

"The Black Sea will define the future of the European security order for generations to come," write Galip Dalay and Natalie Sabanadze.

President Trump had suggested a meeting between Russia and Ukraine’s leaders could be a potential next step on the path to peace, but Russian state news media barely mentioned such a meeting in its coverage.

President Trump seeks to broker a meeting of the two leaders to end Europe’s most destructive war in generations.

Bianna Golodryga speaks to Former Russian foreign minister, Andrei Kozyrev about whether Putin is genuine about pursuing any form of peace in Ukraine.

The Kremlin is keeping its options open, but analysts said the Russian leader would probably only meet with his Ukrainian counterpart to accept a capitulation.

President Trump is pushing for direct talks between Russian President Putin and Ukrainian President Zelenskyy. However, there has been no word directly from Russia that Putin has said yes. Foreign Policy Editor-in-chief Ravi Agrawal and former U.

Vladimir Putin hasn't made "a single concession" with respect to ending his war against Ukraine, retired Gen. Jack Keane said.