Russian forces made new advances in eastern Ukraine on Tuesday, just days before the planned Trump-Putin summit in Alaska. The incursion came near the coal-mining town of Dobropillia, part of Moscow’s push to fully control the Donetsk region.
Ukraine’s army said it had deployed reserve troops and was engaged in intense fighting. Officials described the situation as difficult, with Russian soldiers attempting one of the largest pushes this year.
The summit, set for Friday at Elmendorf Air Force Base in Anchorage, will be the first U.S.-Russia meeting at this level since 2021. U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin are expected to discuss possible paths to peace, but Ukraine will not be present.
Trump has suggested that any agreement could involve “swapping territories” between Russia and Ukraine. This idea has sparked concern in Kyiv and across Europe, as all contested areas lie within Ukraine’s internationally recognized borders. President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has warned that such a deal could force Ukraine to give up more land than Russia.
U.S. officials have downplayed expectations of a breakthrough, describing the talks as a “listening exercise.” Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Trump wanted to assess Putin in person, believing direct talks were necessary before making any decisions.
Zelenskiy and European leaders insist that lasting peace requires Ukraine’s participation in negotiations. They are holding a virtual meeting with Trump on Wednesday to stress that any agreement must respect Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Zelenskiy said he would reject any proposal requiring Ukraine to withdraw troops from the Donbas region or concede its defensive positions.
The White House said Putin proposed the bilateral format, and Trump agreed to gain a clearer view of Russia’s stance. Spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt added that Trump is open to a future trilateral meeting including Zelenskiy.
As the Trump-Putin summit approaches, tensions are rising both on the battlefield and in diplomatic circles, with the future of Ukraine hanging in the balance.
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