Ukraine updates: New Polish president vetoes refugee bill

At the White House, Trump was asked about the war in Ukraine and a potential meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. He recognized the conflict was more complex than he'd realized.

Trump cast doubt on his own presence for a potential summit between the two leaders: "I may be there, I may not."

Polish right-wing President Karol Nawrocki has blocked legislation to extend child benefits for all Ukrainian refugees in Poland.

With his veto, Nawrocki argued that only refugees working in the country should receive support.

"I will not change my mind and I think that (this aid) should be limited only to Ukrainians who are committed to working in Poland," he said.

Nawrocki, who took power earlier this month, had expressed during his election campaign to put "Poles first" and to limit the rights of foreigners in Poland. 

He is close to the conservative nationalist opposition Law and Justice (PiS) party, which has called for the payment of social benefits to Ukrainian refugees to be made dependent on their employment. 

In Poland, the employment rate among refugees is around 65% —  almost twice as high as in Germany. 

Poland has hosted nearly 1 million Ukrainian citizens with a protected status that entitles them to around €180 ($210) per month in child benefit per child. For the second and each additional child, there is also a childcare allowance of €117 per month for the first two years.

Ukrainian refugees also have free access to education and health, as do Polish nationals. 

Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store arrived in Kyiv on Monday, the same day that Germany's finance minister arrived in the Ukrainian capital.

Store was greeted by Ukraine's Minister of Foreign Affairs Andrii Sybiha and the head of the President's office Andriy Yermak. 

"Norway is one of our closest allies. Prime Minister's visit for talks with President Zelenskyy is a strong sign of solidarity and support for our people," Sybiha said on X. 

On Sunday, Norway announced significant new military aid for Ukraine, pledging approximately $695 million (€594 million) for air defense systems. Germany and Norway are jointly funding two Patriot systems, including missiles.

Here is a selection of DW coverage from the past few days on Russia's war in Ukraine:

What could European troop deployment in Ukraine look like?

It was a stunning show of unity as an entourage of European leaders backed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on his trip to Washington on August 18, impressing upon US President Donald Trump the need for security guarantees for Ukraine.

Since their US visit, there has been a flurry of meetings of the so-called "coalition of the willing," a grouping of 30-plus countries that includes Germany, France and the United Kingdom. Some of the countries have even said they would be willing to send troops.

Read the full story on what a European troop deployment could look like, and what it could mean for Ukraine and Europe.

Germany debates sending peacekeeping troops to Ukraine

Will there soon be a meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, as suggested by US President Donald Trump? And if the two can indeed agree on a way to the war in Ukraine, what will Germany's role be?

Read the full story on how these questions have triggered much controversy in political circles in Berlin over the past week.

Ukraine marks 4th Independence Day since Russia's invasion

Ukraine marked its fourth Independence Day since Russia’s full-scale invasion with solemn ceremonies and renewed resolve. In Kyiv, a minute's silence honored fallen soldiers, while President Zelenskyy vowed never to surrender.

Russian defense units destroyed 21 Ukrainian drones overnight, according to Russia's Defense Ministry.

Meanwhile, Sergei Sobyanin, the mayor of Moscow, said that two drones flying toward the city were destroyed.

"Emergency services are working at the site where the debris fell," he wrote in a post on the Telegram messaging app.

German Finance Minister and Vice Chancellor Lars Klingbeil reiterated Germany's support for Ukraine in its defense against Russia's invasion.

Upon arriving in Kyiv for an unannounced visit, Klingbeil made comments suggesting that he will likely discuss key security guarantees for Ukraine to end the war, which has raged on for over three years.

"It is about Ukrainian, but also European security," he said, emphasizing the need for "reliable security guarantees that ensure lasting peace for Ukraine." 

The vice chancellor also said that Berlin is consulting closely with its international partners on this issue and that Germany will fulfill its responsibilities.

"Putin should have no illusions that Germany's support for Ukraine could crumble," said Klingbeil. "On the contrary: We remain Ukraine's second-largest supporter worldwide and the largest in Europe. Ukraine can continue to rely on Germany."

The vice chancellor's comments followed a round of peace talks between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska that did not yield any results. 

Over the weekend, US Vice President JD Vance said that significant progress had been made in negotiations with Russia to end the war in Ukraine, adding that Moscow was willing to make substantial concessions.

However, the talks were widely criticized as Ukraine was not a party to them.

On Monday, Klingbeil urged Putin to demonstrate an interest in peace and emphasized the need for Ukraine's involvement in the talks. He called for a ceasefire and reliable security guarantees for lasting peace.

"To this end, we are coordinating closely internationally. Germany will fulfil its responsibilities," he said.

Klingbeil plans to meet representatives of the Ukrainian government, parliament and civil society during this visit.

Germany's Vice Chancellor Lars Klingbeil is in Ukraine today for discussions on a potential peace process, including peace guarentees. 

Ukraine's allies are steadfast that any peace deal needs to come with reliable security measures for Ukraine. Among the options presented this week, both France and Britain have supported troop deployments as part of a coalition of the willing.

Meanwhile, on Sunday, Ukraine's war veterans swam across the strait of Bosphorus as part of the Independence Day celebrations, to claim victory over their injuries.