Thus far in August, the intensity of Russian strikes on Ukraine appear to have eased. The first 11 days of this month have seen Moscow launch a daily average of 74 drones and one missile into Ukraine, compared with record-breaking July figures of 201 drones and around six missiles per day.

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump said he will meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin next Friday in Alaska to discuss ending the war in Ukraine, a potential breakthrough after weeks of expressing frustration that more was not being done to quell the fighting.

Dr. Ronald Suny, distinguished University of Michigan historian and a preeminent expert on Soviet and post-Soviet history, spoke with Hilary Golston for The Interview about the hidden dynamics shaping the Alaska summit and what could happen next.