It's Tuesday, August 19, 2025.

I'm Albert Moller, and this is the briefing, a daily analysis of news and events from a Christian worldview.

Let's take a quick look at what has taken place just over the last several days

in terms of Russia's war against Ukraine and efforts to achieve a peace.

Last Friday in Alaska, Russian President Vladimir Putin came to meet with U.S. President

Donald Trump. The meeting was only about three hours, most of the sessions absolutely in

private. President Trump came out saying that certain understandings have been made. There were

certain obstacles, hard issues to work through. It was also clear that immediately after the meeting

with President Putin, President Trump on Air Force One began calling world leaders, most importantly,

Volonimo Zilinsky, the president of Ukraine, but also major European and NATO leaders as well.

And then those NATO leaders came with President Zelensky to the White House yesterday.

And so there's a flurry of activity here that reminds us of some of the hottest areas in the Cold War.

This really is an unusual situation. I think a lot of people look at this and think, well, it's just more news.

No, there is a lot going on here, and there's so much at stake. Russia made that abundantly,

tragically clear by launching an attack, again, from the air against Ukraine, just to make a point.

This is Vladimir Putin to a T, just to make a point about how deadly serious Russia is, and emphasis

upon deadly. One family was killed, including children, and a grandparent. Just another

indication of the brutality of Russia's attack on Ukraine. Another indication, no doubt,

coming from Vladimir Putin, of how intent Russia is on holding this territory.

If there is to be a peace, it will be a piece on Vladimir Putin's terms.

Now, here's what realpolitik, realism and foreign policy comes down to.

Right now, Vladimir Putin, as the invader, holds the upper hand.

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