Trump hits the gas on Russia-Ukraine negotiations

It’s Tuesday. How is everyone enjoying this lovely August recess?

In today's issue:

• Trump promises no U.S. boots in Ukraine
• Zelensky: 10 days to finalize peace talks
• D.C. National Guard takeover doubles
• Troops may be given weapons
• Hurricane Erin’s riptides, storm surges

???? NEWS THIS MORNING:

A lot has happened since we last spoke:

President Trump had a much more positive and productive meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Monday than their previous Oval Office meeting — you know, the one that evolved into a blow up. Trump pushed to negotiate an end to the Russia-Ukraine war, and the meeting created momentum for a trilateral meeting between Trump, Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Trump has been touting the meeting ever since. He bragged about the negotiations on social media — and then called into Fox News’s “Fox & Friends” this morning to elaborate, including suggesting this may boost his odds of going to heaven. Here’s everything we’ve learned since the Trump-Zelensky meeting:

???? Trump says he will *not* send U.S. troops to Ukraine: Trump assured the Fox News hosts there would not be U.S. boots on the ground in Ukraine to defend the Ukraine-Russia border as part of any security assurances to end the war.

???? Trump called Putin to arrange a face-to-face meeting with Zelensky: Trump said he called Putin (it was 1 a.m. in Russia!) but told “Fox & Friends” today that he didn’t do it while Zelensky and European leaders were in the room. “[That] would have been disrespectful” to Putin, Trump said.

???? Next steps for negotiations: Trump posted on Truth Social that he has begun making “arrangements” for a meeting between Putin and Zelensky. If that goes well, Trump will then organize a trilateral meeting for the three leaders to negotiate. Zelensky estimated to Trump that peace negotiations could be finalized in the next 10 days (!), according to Reuters.

???? It’s not all good news — Russia attacked Ukraine overnight: Russia launched a major attack overnight on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, causing widespread fires.

???? Trump was caught on a hot mic: The president was captured on a “hot mic” telling French President Emmanuel Macron that “I think [Putin] wants to make a deal for me.” Trump was heard saying, “Do you understand that? As crazy as it sounds.” ???? Listen to the hot mic moment

Macron was later asked about this hot mic moment, telling NBC News’s Kristen Welker that he sees it as “great news” that Trump is “very confident” about the possibility of negotiating a peace deal.

????️ Follow today’s live blog

➤ OK, SO WHAT WERE THE VIBES LIKE?:

It went much better than their public shouting match in late February. Trump embraced Zelensky, and Zelensky wore a suit this time, sending a message to Washington that he came to play ball. “I love it,” Trump said, noticing the outfit change.

???? Watch Zelensky joke about his outfit

????Trump showing off a MAGA hat that reads, ‘4 MORE YEARS’

➤ RELATED READS:

Politico: The Existential Meets the Absurd in Latest Ukraine Talks: Ukraine knows exactly how empty a pledge from Trump can be, and that it will have to adapt.

The New York Times: It’s One Thing to Promise Ukraine Security. It’s Quite Another to Deliver.

The Wall Street Journal: Trump Plans to Get Putin and Zelensky Talking. That’s Not Even the Hard Part.

The Atlantic: Trump Buys More Time for Putin: The meeting at the White House today yielded little progress toward peace—but it could have been far worse.

Foreign Policy: Trump Has No Idea How to Do Diplomacy: Even when he’s partly right, he’s wrong.

???? WASHINGTON, DC

Trump is *doubling* police presence:

President Trump’s Washington, D.C., takeover is about to intensify. The number of National Guard troops patrolling Washington will double in the next few days. Plus, there are indications that guard troops may soon be carrying weapons, marking a major escalation if so.

What we know about the beefed-up National Guard presence: There are already roughly 800 D.C. National Guard troops deployed. Mississippi, Ohio, South Carolina and West Virginia pledged to send more troops, doubling the number of service members.

???? List of states sending National Guard troops to DC

???? Something to keep in mind about the federal troops: So far, federal law enforcement has been patrolling around touristy areas of the city that have low crime rates, such as the National Mall, Lincoln Memorial and Union Station.

Why are there more troops being sent?: It’s unclear why Trump is sending more troops. The National Guard troops have mostly stood idly next to their vehicles.

New number from the White House: The White House said today that more than 450 arrests have been made since Aug. 7, when federal law enforcement took control of D.C. More than 50 arrests were made Monday night.

Read more on what we know about the increased police presence: ‘Trump adds firepower to National Guard presence in DC’

➤ RELATED READS:

WAMU: D.C.’s crime numbers are all the buzz. But how do we interpret them accurately?NBC News: Detentions of D.C. delivery drivers leave immigrant communities on edge

WUSA9: Residents in DC's high-crime areas say federal police surge has left them out

Washingtonian: Sandwich Guy Has Become DC’s Hero

The Washington Post: A night in D.C. after Trump’s National Guard deployment: “Spend the night with us in one of D.C.’s nightlife hubs, as federal police roam, crowds are smaller, bartenders worry and clubgoers try to enjoy themselves.”

???? OTHER NEWS

Erin isn’t even showing up, and she’s still making a scene:

Hurricane Erin is expected to grow as it works its way through the Atlantic this week. The storm is not expected to make landfall, but dangerous riptides are expected along East Coast beaches.

????️ Hurricane Erin’s latest path

Yikes: Nearly 85 rip current rescues were reported Monday, including roughly 70 from Wrightsville Beach Ocean Rescue (!), per WECT News.

A tropical storm watch and a storm surge watch have been issued for North Carolina’s Outer Banks.

Waves could reach 15-20 feet: “Beaches that extend out into the ocean, such as in North Carolina's Outer Banks and Cape Cod, Massachusetts, can experience waves of 15-20 feet. Waves of 10-15 feet are possible in the eastern part of Long Island, New York.” (AccuWeather)

???? Photo of Bethany Beach’s surf

COMING UP

The House and Senate are out. ???? President Trump is in Washington. (All times EST)

1 p.m.: Trump signs a bill into law.

1 p.m.: White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt briefs reporters. ???? Livestream

???? INTERNET BUZZ

???? Celebrate: Today is National Soft Serve Ice Cream Day and National Potato Day.

???? Um, let’s think this through before we deem leggings uncool: The Wall Street Journal’s Rory Satran reports that tight leggings are now considered uncool. Instead, Gen Z prefers to wear baggy, loose-fitting workout pants. Read: ‘“You’re a Boomer If You Wear Leggings”: The Rise of Big Workout Pants’

???? AND FINALLY…

Because this video made me laugh out loud, check out this balloon animal with better dance moves than most people.

Someone commented on the video, “where the hell was this during quarantine,” and I think that’s exactly right.