National Guard troops in DC are now armed, defense official says

Earlier, Trump offered to send troops to Baltimore, Maryland.

Last Updated: August 24, 2025, 5:57 PM EDT

President Donald Trump on Sunday responded to Maryland Gov. Wes Moore's invitation to attend a public safety walk next month in Baltimore, offering to send "troops" to the city.

On Friday, Trump announced on social media that the U.S. "now fully owns and controls 10% of INTEL." Trump said he negotiated the deal with Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan.

Earlier Friday, federal agents were seen searching the Maryland residence of former Trump national security adviser turned critic John Bolton. Sources told ABC News the search was related to allegations that Bolton is in possession of classified records.

Aug 18, 2025, 1:05 PM EDT

Putin holds numerous calls with world leaders

While President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy are set to meet soon in Washington, Russian President Vladimir Putin will continue a series of international telephone conversations on Monday, during which he will brief his counterparts on the results of the Russian-American summit in Alaska, the Russian president's press service said.

Putin held a telephone conversation with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, President of the Republic of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon, Brazil President Lula da Silva. The Indian prime minister also state he had a call with Putin.

Russian President Vladimir Putin gestures as he speaks during a joint press conference with US President Donald Trump after participating in a US-Russia summit on Ukraine at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska, August 15, 2025.
Andrew Caballero-reynolds/AFP via Getty Images

Aug 18, 2025, 12:35 PM EDT

Where Ukraine's front lines stand today

Military analyst Steve Ganyard detailed the current map of Ukrainian front lines and the extent of Russian-controlled territory as President Donald Trump is set to meet on Monday with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Russia has gained about 20% of Ukrainian territory since it began its invasion in February 2022.

Russian President Vladimir Putin is demanding the rest of the Donetsk region in exchange for halting Moscow's offensive, sources told ABC News. The area is about the size of Delaware, according to Ganyard, and is rich in agriculture, minerals and is key to Ukraine's industrial sector.

ABC News contributor and retired Col. Steve Ganyard breaks down territorial shifts in the war between the two countries.
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Territory between Ukraine and Russia in 2022 vs. 2025ABC News contributor and retired Col. Steve Ganyard breaks down territorial shifts in the war between the two countries.
ABCNews.com

Aug 18, 2025, 12:22 PM EDT

European leaders begin arriving at the White House

European leaders have begun to arrive at the White House ahead of the meeting between President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen exited their vehicles at the South Portico. Also set to be in attendance today are the leaders of Germany, Finland, France, Italy and the United Kingdom.

Monica Crowley, White House chief of protocol, left, greets Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni upon arriving to meet with President Donald Trump and Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Aug. 18, 2025, at White House in Washington.
Jacquelyn Martin/AP
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is greeted by US Chief of Protocol Monica Crowley (L) upon arrival at the White House South Portico in Washington, August 18, 2025.
Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images
Aug 18, 2025, 11:25 AM EDT

Zelenskyy slams Russian attacks ahead of Trump meeting

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, posting on X from Washington, slammed Russia's attacks on Ukraine overnight.

“This was a demonstrative and cynical Russian strike," Zelenskyy said. "They are aware that a meeting is taking place today in Washington that will address the end of the war. We will have a discussion with President Trump about key issues."

Ukrainian rescuers work inside a destroyed residential building after an air attack in Kharkiv, on August 18, 2025, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Ivan Samoilov/AFP via Getty Images

Zelenskyy highlighted that the talks will include the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Finland, the European Union and NATO.

"Everyone seeks dignified peace and true security. And at this very moment, the Russians are attacking Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia, the Sumy region, and Odesa, destroying residential buildings and our civilian infrastructure. Russians are deliberately killing people, particularly children," Zelenskyy wrote.

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