Ukraine faces demographic crisis as death rate outpaces births four to one
Quick Look
Ukraine's death rate is four times higher than its birth rate, raising fears of virtual disappearance within two generations, according to experts cited in a roundup of global news including Russia-US diplomacy, military actions in Belgorod, UN votes on map projections, and international reactions to conflicts in Ukraine, Yemen, and Nepal.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
Ukraine faces a severe demographic imbalance with deaths vastly outpacing births, compounded by ongoing conflict and displacement. International diplomatic efforts involving Russia, the US, and European actors continue amid military actions and humanitarian crises elsewhere.
Ukrainian people could virtually disappear within two generations — expert
The death rate in Ukraine is four times higher than the birth rate
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Kiev’s threats against civil aviation aimed at disrupting Russia-US contacts — envoy
Rodion Miroshnik said there is "an unceasing drive, primarily on the part of Europeans, to severe any contacts between Russia and the US"
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Putin meets with Witkoff and Kushner in the Kremlin
The meeting marks Putin’s eighth face-to-face encounter with Witkoff and Kushner’s third round of talks on a potential settlement to the conflict in Ukraine
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Moscow burned no bridges in relations with Germany — Russia’s envoy to Berlin
Sergey Nechaev noted that previous generations had invested in historical reconciliation and that the sacrifices of 700,000 Soviet soldiers buried in Germany should not be forgotten
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Ukrainian army carries out 146 attacks on Russia’s Belgorod Region in past day
According to Acting Governor Alexander Shuvayev, seven strikes involved artillery and multiple rocket launchers, while drones dropped explosives in 13 attacks
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Russia to view deployed German long-range systems as legitimate targets — embassy
A representative of the Russian embassy in Berlin said that this would be the case if these systems were aimed at Russia
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Russian minister sees financial points of convergence with US
The Russian finance minister took part in a G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors meeting in the US city of Asheville from August 31 to September 1
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Putin notes at meeting with US negotiators that situation is difficult to discuss
"And we will have to deal with it today", Russian President said in his opening remarks
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Iran has grown more confident in its ability to confront US — NYT
The article cites officials as saying there are few signs that Iran is ready to make any sort of deal with Washington
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IN BRIEF: Russia strikes logistics centers, equipment, cargo ships in Ukraine
A dry cargo ship carrying military-technical equipment supplied to the army by Western countries was damaged in the port of Chernomorsk
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Ukraine to make another attempt to agree with RF on сontracts
If it does not happen, all the responsibility for the consequences will be certainly placed on those leaders who do not want to heed our arguments
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Crimea colored same as Russia on Equal Earth projection
The Equal Earth projection, intended to more accurately depict the actual proportions of Africa and other regions of the world, was proposed as an alternative to the Mercator projection
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Russian citizens in Poland, Baltic states to vote near border crossings — CEC
Pavel Andreyev says ten polling stations will be set up in the Kaliningrad, Pskov, and Leningrad regions near border crossings with Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia
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US becomes only country to vote against UN resolution supporting Equal Earth map
A total of 164 countries voted in favor of the document, while six others - Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia, Serbia, Lithuania, and Estonia - abstained
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Yemen’s leader vows to never allow Iran, Houthis to take control of Bab el-Mandeb
Rashad al-Alimi says Houthis "will face major losses" if they approach the strait
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Russian mission to UN responds to General Assembly on claims over Crimea’s status
Russia's Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN Maria Zabolotskaya emphasized that these territories "are part of Russia, and have been part of Russia for centuries"
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Trump says he has idea of possible peace between Russia, Ukraine
The US leader did not provide any details about possible agreements for settling the Ukrainian crisis
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US State Department approves sale of bombs, guidance kits, tank engines to Riyadh
The total cost estimate stands at about $5.75 billion
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US should consider realities on ground in settlement of Ukraine conflict — Russian MFA
Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov says the situation "is constantly changing, and not in Kiev’s favor"
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FACTBOX: Novak’s statements about Power of Baikal, Russia’s fuel situation
Accoridng to the official, Russia and China are currently discussing the Power of Baikal gas pipeline project, formerly known as Power of Siberia 2, for Russian gas supplies to China
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ICC signatories expect new US sanctions against court soon — source
A diplomatic source says possible measures could include visa and financial restrictions, as well as pressure on ICC members to withdraw from the Rome Statute
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Putin expresses gratitude, best wishes to Trump
Russian President at a meeting with American negotiators in the Kremlin asked them to convey his gratitude and best wishes to US President Donald Trump
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Switzerland announces OSCE’s readiness to facilitate negotiated settlement on Ukraine
Nicolas Bideau, spokesman for the Foreign Affairs Ministry of the country that holds the OSCE chairmanship, said the organization is also ready to facilitate the implementation of the settlement on the ground if necessary
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What is known about European Commission’s plans to restrict visas for Russia, EU reaction
According to the diplomatic source, the European Commission has spent the last four years trying to implement a plan that would make entry into the EU a privilege for Russians
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Iran's army calls on US to compensate for war costs, then leave region
Army Spokesperson Mohammad Akraminia added that all the problems of the US army in the region and the difficulties of the Americans are caused by Washington's mistakes
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Russian security officials put number of missing Ukrainian soldiers at half a million
According to the Ukrainian Interior Ministry, as of August 2026, the number of missing Ukrainian servicemen amounted to around 114,000
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Trump did not confirm Witkoff bringing new proposals on Ukraine settlement to Russia
Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner "are bringing with them a proposal to end the war", US President said
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Russia proves at EEF that sanctions ineffective, Srbijagas CEO says
Aleksandar Vulin, leader of Serbia’s Movement of Socialists party, said that almost the entire world gathered to attend the forum
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Animated film about Captain Nevelskoy to be screened in Singapore, Toronto, Tokyo, Dubai
The film became one of flagship projects for the development of creative industries in the Russian Far East
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US drafting Middle East strategy for post-Iran war period — Axios
In addition, the Trump administration is considering moving to the next stage of the Gaza peace plan, reaching a security agreement between Syria and Israel, and implementing the agreement between Israel and Lebanon
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Upcoming space summit to be worst Macron-organized event — media
According to Politico, the main issues are that the summit is running behind schedule, has not been coordinated with major players in the European space sector, and lacks a clear purpose
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Italian general posts photo with vodka in response to FT’s accusations of ties to Moscow
Roberto Vannacci noted that the UK newspaper, like many others representing international financial circles, is attempting to influence the electoral process in Italy
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Kiev needs Crimea, Donbass for Western military bases — lawmaker
According to Leonid Slutsky, Zelensky "only pretends to be a pseudo-peacekeeper ready for negotiations if someone suggests them in front of his Western masters"
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Death toll from Nepal’s flooding rises to 1,344 — police
According to police, 4,898 people, including Nepalese nationals and foreigners, remain missing
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Ukraine loses over 1,660 troops in Battlegroup North responsibility area over past week
The Russian Defense Ministry reported that damage was inflicted on manpower and equipment of five mechanized and motorized infantry brigades, two airborne brigades, an assault regiment of the Ukrainian armed forces
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People see special military operation’s task in suppressing Nazism — Lavrov
"The majority of those I've spoken with view the special military operation as another task to suppress Nazism," he said
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What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
EU will move forward with visa restrictions for Russians after years of planning
Likely · Within months
Russia will continue to view deployed German long-range systems as legitimate targets if aimed at Russia
Very likely · Within weeks
Missing Ukrainian soldiers count will remain a point of contention between Russian and Ukrainian officials
Likely · Within months
Open Questions
- What specific policies are being considered to address Ukraine's demographic crisis?
- How will the Russia-US talks evolve regarding Ukraine settlement?
- What is the timeline for implementing visa restrictions on Russians by the EU?
- How will the UN member states' positions on the Equal Earth projection affect future cartographic standards?
