Putin secures a 'personal triumph' from his meeting with Zelensky in Alaska, according to the Ukrainian president's statement.
In the eastern region of Ukraine, the largely destroyed town of Kostiantynivka is under threat as Russian forces make significant advances near the coal mining town of Dobropillia. This development comes as the two leaders, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and US President Donald Trump, prepare for their summit in Alaska this Friday.
The Institute for the Study of War has reported that while Russia's advances around Dobropillia are noteworthy, they are not yet an operational-level breakthrough. However, the situation remains tense, with small sabotage groups being sent forward by Russia, according to the same institute.
The Ukrainian army is currently engaged in "difficult" battles with Russian forces in the east, a situation the army denies allows Russia a foothold near Dobropillia. The town, once home to around 30,000 people, has been under regular Russian drone attacks. In the past hours, Russian attacks have claimed the lives of three people and wounded 12 others, including a child, according to Ukrainian police.
Zelensky has expressed concern that Russia will put forward hardline demands and that Trump may negotiate a deal that results in Ukraine ceding territory. However, there are no detailed or confirmed reports about current negotiations specifically between Trump and Putin regarding Ukraine's eastern Donbas region.
Despite this, Zelensky has ruled out withdrawing troops from Ukraine's eastern Donbas region as part of a peace deal. He also received a "signal" from US envoy Steve Witkoff that Russia might agree to a ceasefire.
The Donbas region, encompassing the eastern Ukrainian regions of Lugansk and Donetsk, has been a point of contention since 2014, when Russia annexed Crimea. Russia claims these regions as its own and has sought to control them since 2022.
The summit between Trump and Putin, scheduled for Friday in Alaska, will be the first between a sitting US and Russian president since 2021. European leaders are seeking to ensure respect for Kyiv's interests as the situation in Ukraine remains volatile.
Zelensky described Putin's invitation to talks with Trump on US soil as a "personal victory" for Putin. However, some Russian units have been destroyed, some taken prisoner, and the rest will be found and destroyed in the near future, according to Zelensky.
As the situation continues to develop, it is crucial to monitor updates and consider the historical context of diplomatic efforts related to Ukraine and the Donbas region.
[1] Note: This information is based on the provided bullet points and does not include any updates or background on prior diplomatic efforts not explicitly stated in the bullet points.
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