In our new episode of the Explaining Ukraine podcast, we look at developments in and around Ukraine in August 2021. Last month, the country celebrated the 30th anniversary of the restoration of its independence; the launch of the Crimean Platform gathered representatives from 46 countries and institutions for its inaugural summit in Kyiv; President Zelensky traveled to Washington for his long-awaited meeting with Joe Biden, and Angela Merkel traveled to Kyiv weeks before her retirement as Germany’s Chancellor.