Russia Makes a Swift Battlefield Advance, Seeking an Edge in Trump Talks
In recent days, Russia's troops broke through a segment of Ukraine's defensive line near the city of Pokrovsk, a longtime stronghold. They have advanced several miles into Ukrainian-held territory, threatening to outflank Ukraine's positions.
'The situation is quite chaotic, as the enemy, having found gaps in the defense, is infiltrating deep inside, trying to quickly establish a foothold and accumulate forces for further advancement,' said DeepState, a Ukrainian group with ties to the military that maps the battlefield.
President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine said in his evening address on Monday that the Russians 'are redeploying their troops and forces in ways that suggest preparations for new offensive operations' and that they are 'not preparing for a cease-fire or an end to the war.'
Ukraine, too, is seeking an edge before the Russian-American peace talks on Friday in Alaska. Kyiv has ramped up attacks on Russian oil refineries, doubling down on its strategy of pressuring Russia into making concessions during negotiations by targeting the Kremlin's main revenue source to fund the war.
Pressing their advantage as peace talks gather pace has been a recurring tactic of both sides throughout the current war and the one that preceded it starting in 2014. Ukraine's bold June drone attacks deep inside Russia, which destroyed many strategic bombers, came just a day before negotiations in Istanbul. In 2015, Russia intensified fighting during cease-fire talks, surrounding the eastern town of Debaltseve, to force political concessions from Kyiv.
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The Hill
27 minutes ago
- The Hill
Ukraine lawmaker: ‘We do not quite believe that the diplomatic solution is possible'
Ukrainian Member of Parliament Kira Rudik said Friday that leaders in her country do not see an immediate diplomatic path to peace hours ahead of the U.S.-Russia summit in Alaska. 'We do not quite believe that the diplomatic solution is possible here. And we have been saying this since the day one,' Rudik said during an appearance on CNN's 'News Central.' She said security guarantees are Ukraine's main concern after being invaded by Russia in 2014 and 2022. 'Until you know, what is the way to make sure that [Russian President Vladimir] Putin will keep his part of the bargain, you cannot get to the table with him…,' Rudik said. 'There has not been a single fact up until right now that would confirm that he wants to end the war, that he is ready to end the war. He continues attacking our cities. There is still push on the frontline, and the air raid siren in Kyiv went off just a couple of hours ago,' she added. Ukraine also successfully launched a Thursday drone strike on portions of southern Russia amid slated peace talks with Trump. Rudik said Ukraine remains a frontline barrier to Putin's attempt to occupy land across Europe. 'The truth is, right now, Ukraine is providing security guarantees to Europe because we are basically standing in between Europe and Russia. And Russia didn't give up their ideas of restoring Soviet Union, as we have clearly seen today and heard from dictator Putin many times beforehand,' Rudik told CNN, adding that 'without the security guarantees, none of the talks will make any sense.' 'Without the idea of how Europe and the United States can be standing against Russia for European security, again, these — all the ideas about peace, all the ideas about President Trump getting the Nobel prize for it, they will be just talks and will not lead to any serious conclusions,' she continued.
The Hill
27 minutes ago
- The Hill
Trump, Putin's high-stakes meeting
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What does Trump expect?: He spoke with reporters this morning, saying he expects to know very quickly into the meeting whether it is going well or not. Other key lines from Trump: He said Putin would take all of Ukraine if he weren't president: 'Vladimir Putin wanted to take all of Ukraine. If I wasn't president, he would right now be taking all of Ukraine, but he's not going to do it,' Trump said. Trump is not negotiating on behalf of Ukraine: 'I'm not here to negotiate for Ukraine,' Trump said, arguing his mission is to get Ukraine to 'the table.' What does Trump think about territory swaps?:Trump said it's ultimately up to Ukraine to decide. For context: Putin has suggested Ukraine ceding land to Russia as part of a peace agreement, but Zelensky said 'no.' Trump says Putin is bringing businesspeople: Trump noted on Air Force One that Putin is bringing several businesspeople along for the trip. However, Trump said the U.S. is 'not doing business until the war is settled.' 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Newsweek
28 minutes ago
- Newsweek
Lisa Murkowski Issues Warning Ahead of Trump-Putin Alaska Summit
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Republican Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski expressed skepticism and attempted to temper expectations ahead of the summit between President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin planned for Friday in her home state. Newsweek reached out to the White House and Murkowski's office for comment via email. Why It Matters The historic meeting between the two world leaders, expected to take place at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, comes amid mounting pressure to end the Russia-Ukraine war, launched by Putin in February 2022. Trump has sought to broker a peace deal between Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, but the two sides remain at odds over issues including whether Russia should be able to keep any of the territory it has seized amid its invasion. Trump in recent weeks has expressed frustration with Russia as the war continues, and Friday's meeting could have key implication for peace talks as well as Russia-U.S. relations. Senator Lisa Murkowski speaks during a hearing in Washington on July 11, 2023. Senator Lisa Murkowski speaks during a hearing in Washington on July 11, JDRF What To Know Murkowski shared her thoughts on the summit between the two world leaders in an interview with Alaskan news station KTUU. She said that she thought the meeting was unlikely to lead to an end to the war, but added that she hopes it will catalyze "incremental steps toward a peaceful and fair resolution for the people of Ukraine." "Those who think that this meeting is going to bring about world peace are probably overly optimistic," she told the news station. "The big tempering of expectation that we've seen from the president in the last couple of days is probably meant to be just that." Still, she said the fact there is any conversation occurring is a "first step." "To have an initial first step for hopefully productive conversation, that's good, but I am not one who is expecting that there's going to be announcement at some point tomorrow saying that the war is over," Murkowski said. "That would be extraordinarily welcome news, but I am not anticipating that." Nothing can really be done to bring the war to a close without the involvement of Zelensky, she said. Murkowski also said she understands concerns about the meeting occurring on U.S. soil, but that it could be a step to "facilitate the end of the bloodshed" and that it "should not be on Putin's terms." What People Are Saying Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky wrote on X: "The key thing is that this meeting should open up a real path toward a just peace and a substantive discussion between leaders in a trilateral format – Ukraine, the United States, and the Russian side. It is time to end the war, and the necessary steps must be taken by Russia. We are counting on America. We are ready, as always, to work as productively as possible." Former Vice President Mike Pence wrote on X: 'Praying for President Trump to Stand Strong in Alaska Today. A Ceasefire followed by a Just and Lasting Peace will only come through American Strength." Senator Chris Murphy, a Connecticut Democrat, said on MSNBC's Morning Joe on Friday: "The first thing that's happening here is the welcoming of Putin back into the order of major mainstream nations. He is visiting the United States for the first time since he became a war criminal. He's standing with the most powerful person in the world, and it is a sign from Donald Trump, essentially, that all is forgiven. And so this is a big moment for Putin because he essentially is being legitimized in the eyes of the United States and in the eyes of the world. We know there's not going to be any major peace deal here, largely because one of the parties to the war isn't at the table." Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton wrote on X: "If Donald Trump negotiates an end to Putin's war on Ukraine without Ukraine having to cede territory, I'll nominate him for a Nobel Peace Prize myself." What Happens Next The meeting is set to begin at 3:30 p.m. ET/11:30 a.m. local time. It will be closely monitored for signs that the two leaders could take steps toward a peace deal or ceasefire.
