Diary

ISTANBUL (AA) - Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2025 (coverage may change depending on developing/ breaking stories):

Gaza ceasefire negotiations

Developments in negotiations between Israel and Hamas to reach a ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement in the Gaza Strip as Israeli prime minister’s office said that its policy on ending the war remains unchanged and called for the release of all hostages. Hamas has already approved a Qatari-Egyptian proposal for ceasefire. The Israeli prime minister’s office statement has not issued a clear rejection of the proposal.

Israeli foreign minister’s Africa tour

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar to visit Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to meet his Ethiopian counterpart, Gedion Timotheos, according to a ministry statement. No further details were reported regarding the content or duration of the meeting. In the second leg of his tour, he will arrive in Zambia to inaugurate Israel’s embassy and meet senior Zambian officials.

Syrian foreign minister visits Athens

Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis will meet Syrian counterpart Asaad al-Shibani in Athens. Greece, which opposes a possible maritime delimitation agreement between Ankara and Damascus, is expected to raise the issue and its objections during the meeting. Athens is also expected to emphasize “respect to rights and interests of the minorities in Syria” particularly of the Christians.

Russia-Ukraine war-related developments

Political developments in Europe around the Russia-Ukraine war, efforts to put an end to it, including reactions and discussions on issues like possible security guarantees, peacekeeping troops on Ukrainian soil.

California Assembly committee to consider redistricting package

The California State Assembly’s Appropriations Committee will meet to discuss a legislative package toward redistricting, introduced Monday ahead of an expected vote Thursday. The package paves the way for a special election on Nov. 4 on a proposal to temporarily redraw five of California’s nine districts currently in Republican hands so their boundaries better favor Democrats. It comes in response to redistricting efforts in Texas backed by President Donald Trump.

Rubio to host Turkmenistan’s foreign minister

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio will greet Turkmenistan’s Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov at the Department of State.

UN Security Council to discuss terror-linked threats to international security

The UN Security Council will meet to discuss terrorism-linked threats to international peace and security. The council will review the 21st report by the secretary-general on the threat posed by the ISIS (Daesh) terror group and UN efforts to help counter the threat.

Statements about possible Russia-US-Ukraine meeting

Statements from Moscow and Kyiv about a possible trilateral meeting of the Russian, US and Ukrainian presidents.

Iranian, Belarusian presidents to hold talks in Minsk

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko to hold talks with visiting Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian in Minsk. The leaders are expected to discuss cooperation between Belarus and Iran in all areas.

Russian, Jordan foreign ministers to meet in Moscow

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov to hold talks with his Jordanian counterpart Ayman Al Safadi in Moscow. The two ministers are expected to discuss the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.

Japan hosts development conference on Africa

Japan hosts 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development. Leaders and representatives from across African continent are attending the event where Japan is planning to propose 'Indian Ocean-Africa Economic Area Initiative.'

German foreign minister visits Indonesia

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul visits Indonesia where he meets with his counterpart Sugiono. Bilateral ties, Germany's involvement in the Asia-Pacific and economic issues are expected to be discussed during the visit. He may also meet with President Prabowo Subianto.

Chinese foreign minister visits Pakistan

China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi pays a 3-day official visit to Pakistan. Wang and his counterpart Ishaq Dar to co-chair 6th Pakistan-China strategic dialogue, as well as meet with the Pakistani leadership.

China's interest rate decision

The Central Bank of China to announce its interest rate decision. In the last meeting, the main lending rates were kept unchanged.

UK inflation

UK to announce monthly CPI figures for July. In May, the annual consumer inflation was up 3.6%.

Eurozone inflation

Eurostat to share monthly CPI figures for July. In June, the consumer inflation was at 2% annually.

SPECIAL REPORTS

Security guarantees: What do Ukraine and Russia expect?

Report on the security guarantees under discussion as part of talks to end the Russia-Ukraine war, focusing on how Western and European allies could structure military and political assurances to either side.

The story outlines potential guarantees for Ukraine such as long-term weapons and intelligence support and a European-led reassurance or peacekeeping force, among other options. It also assesses Russia’s position, including its stance against any arrangement involving foreign troops or NATO membership.

The report features comments from Timothy Ash of Chatham House, Maximilian Hess of the International Institute for Strategic Studies, Daria Malling of Berlin’s Center for Liberal Modernity, and Lucian Kim, senior Ukraine analyst at the International Crisis Group.

Trump-Europe ties on the mend: Will Ukraine be the final stress test?

Report on the outcomes of US President Donald Trump’s summit with European leaders, examining how it potentially marked a shift toward a unified transatlantic stance following months.

The story examines whether this rapprochement signals a genuine new era of European-American consensus, or if it may be premature. It explains how Ukraine is a looming test case, where disagreements over security guarantees, territorial concessions, and future strategy could either consolidate the emerging unity or reopen fault lines.

The report includes comments from Shelby Magid, deputy director of the Atlantic Council’s Eurasia Center, and Ryhor Nizhnikau, senior research fellow at the Finnish Institute of International Affairs.