Germany pledges Patriot missiles as Putin doubles down with chilling new threats - Friday brief
Collage by RBC-Ukraine
Germany has announced it will deliver additional Patriot air defense systems to Ukraine in stages. Meanwhile, Russian president Vladimir Putin made a series of cynical statements regarding peace negotiations with Ukraine.
More on what happened Friday, August 1, in the RBC-Ukraine report.
Germany to send two additional Patriot systems to Ukraine
Germany will deliver additional Patriot systems to Ukraine in stages to bolster the country's air defense capabilities.
According to reports, the Bundeswehr will send launchers for the Patriot system in the coming days. In the second stage, over two to three months, it will deliver additional components for the systems.
"This process (of transferring additional air defense systems to Ukraine - ed.) is the result of close coordination with the United States and our NATO allies. The governments of Germany and the US initiated this coordination process on July 14, 2025, to significantly strengthen Ukraine's air defense capabilities," the Bundeswehr said in a statement.
Putin makes cynical remarks about peace talks with Ukraine
Russian president Vladimir Putin claimed that Russia is allegedly ready for peace talks with Ukraine, while reiterating that the Kremlin's demands announced last year remain unchanged.
"Yes, the conditions [for ending the war in Ukraine] have remained the same. These are not just conditions — they are goals. I outlined Russia's goals. At the time, we were told it was unclear what Russia wanted, so we spelled them out in June last year during a meeting with the leadership of the Foreign Ministry," Putin said.
He also said he viewed the previous negotiations between the two sides in Istanbul positively, claiming that talks are always necessary and important.
The Kremlin leader cynically added that Russia is ready to wait if Ukraine allegedly believes that now is not the right time for negotiations.
"Well, actually, we can wait. If the Ukrainian leadership believes now is not the right time and wants to wait — fine, we're ready to wait," he said.
Putin accuses Trump of having "excessive expectations" from Russia
Vladimir Putin indirectly responded to US President Donald Trump's criticism, accusing him of harboring "inflated expectations."
During a meeting with Belarus's self-proclaimed president, Alexander Lukashenko, the Kremlin leader did not mention Trump by name but responded indirectly to Trump’s reported disappointment.
"As for any disappointments from anyone, all disappointments arise from inflated expectations — this is a well-known general rule," Putin said.
He added that serious conversations should be held “not in public, but in the quiet of negotiations.”
Trump deploys two nuclear submarines in response to Medvedev's nuclear threats
US President Donald Trump ordered the deployment of two nuclear submarines in response to threats from controversial Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman Dmitry Medvedev.
He described Medvedev's statements as "inflammatory."
"I have ordered two nuclear submarines to be positioned in the appropriate regions, just in case these foolish and inflammatory statements are more than just that. Words are very important and can often lead to unintended consequences. I hope this will not be one of those instances," Trump emphasized.
Trump claims Russian war losses are 14 times higher than Ukraine's
According to US President Donald Trump, he was informed that just this month, 20,000 Russian soldiers were killed in the "ridiculous war" against Ukraine.
"Russia has lost 112,500 soldiers since the beginning of the year. That is a lot of unnecessary DEATH! Ukraine, however, has also suffered greatly. They have lost approximately 8,000 soldiers since January 1, 2025, and that number does not include their missing," Trump stated.
He added that Ukraine has also lost civilians, though in smaller numbers, mainly due to Russian missile strikes on Kyiv and other cities.
Zelenskyy: Russia attacked Ukraine with 3,800 Shahed drones and 260 missiles in July
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported that in July alone, Russia launched nearly 4,000 Shahed attack drones and around 260 missiles of various types at Ukraine.
"In July alone, Russia used over 5,100 glide bombs against Ukraine, more than 3,800 'shaheds,' and nearly 260 missiles of various types - 128 of them ballistic. This can only be stopped through joint efforts by America, Europe, and other global actors. Every engagement matters. Every day matters. I thank everyone who is helping Ukraine," the president explained.
