Charles Maynes

There's still no end in sight to Russia-Ukraine war, according to NPR correspondents in both countries. Peace efforts appear to be going nowhere and the fighting remains intense.

NPR's Mary Louise Kelly introduces you to her new national security podcast, Sources & Methods. Each week digs into the biggest national security stories.

After all the buildup the Alaska summit between Presidents Trump and Putin ended quickly — just brief statements from both leaders, no questions from reporters and more questions left hanging than answers provided.

Presidents Trump and Putin will be landing to discuss a possible end to Russia's war in Ukraine. A war that — at the moment — is not letting up. In fact, it's seen in increase in drone warfare.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has praised Donald Trump's "energetic and sincere" efforts to end the war in Ukraine. But on the streets of Moscow while many hope for an end to the war, they disagree on how to get there.

Trump said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was unlikely to be included in talks he described as a "feel-out meeting" to better understand Russia's demands for ending its war in Ukraine.

The discussion of a summit came amid the countdown to President Trump's Friday deadline for Russia to agree to a ceasefire with Ukraine or face new sanctions and tariffs on Russian energy exports.

Far-Flung Postcards is a weekly series in which NPR's international team shares moments from their lives and work around the world.

The two sides made little progress toward a ceasefire — despite President Trump's threats of harsh new economic penalties on Moscow should it fail to agree to a deal by early September.