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.

Donald Trump was caught in a major blunder as he held a press conference on Monday. The US President was discussing homelessness in Washington DC flanked by his Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth when he spoke about his upcoming, high-profile meeting with Russian leader Vladimir Putin.

Ukraine and its European backers on Monday sought talks with US President Donald Trump in an effort to protect their security interests ahead of his summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin later this week.