Ukrainian media on August 22 continued to focus heavily on diplomatic efforts, particularly President Trump's evolving role in a potential Zelensky-Putin meeting. Early reports noted his peace attempts were stalling, with discussions highlighting complexities between Kyiv's security needs and Moscow's demands. A significant new development surfaced with reports of the US allegedly cutting off Five Eyes allies from key Ukraine talks. Throughout the day, Dutch Prime Minister Rutte visited Kyiv, discussing robust security guarantees that NATO insisted must avoid past failures, with the US potentially contributing. Concurrently, President Zelensky asserted Russia was obstructing a direct US-Ukraine-Russia dialogue. By late afternoon, Trump stated he would not attend a Zelensky-Putin meeting, describing them as "oil and vinegar." The day concluded with Trump issuing an ultimatum: substantial sanctions on Russia in two weeks if negotiations progress, or no action at all, leading reports to suggest his peace gambit was collapsing. Military activity persisted, with Ukrainian drone strikes on Russia’s Druzhba pipeline and continued fighting in Pokrovsk.