**Russia’s Military Pressure on Ukraine Intensifies Ahead of Trump-Putin Summit**
In the lead-up to a highly anticipated meeting between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has spoken out against Russia’s military aggression. Over the past week, Russian forces launched over 1,000 aerial bombs and 1,400 strike drones against Ukraine, according to Zelensky.
This escalation in violence comes just days before Trump is set to meet Putin in Alaska on August 15, a meeting that aims to broker an end to the war in Ukraine. However, with Russia’s continued refusal to agree to a ceasefire and its demands for Ukrainian territorial concessions, hopes for a breakthrough in peace talks are uncertain.
Zelensky has criticized Moscow for dragging out its war against Ukraine, arguing that Russia cannot be rewarded for its aggression. He emphasized that concessions do not persuade a killer, but rather strong protection of life stops the killers. This stance is backed by Kyiv’s European partners, who also reject Russia’s demands for Ukrainian territorial cessions.
The situation on the ground remains dire, with at least seven people killed and close to 50 injured in Russian attacks against Ukraine over the past 24 hours. Zelensky has stressed that Ukraine will continue to defend its citizens’ lives and strengthen its air defenses.
**What’s at Stake**
The upcoming summit between Trump and Putin is expected to be a critical moment in determining the future of peace talks in Ukraine. While Russia has consistently rejected a US proposal for an unconditional ceasefire, Moscow has indicated a willingness to negotiate if “land swaps” are part of the deal.
However, it remains unclear what such a deal would entail, with sources suggesting that Putin is seeking Kyiv’s full withdrawal from partially occupied Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts in exchange for Russia’s withdrawal from limited areas it holds in northeastern Sumy and Kharkiv oblasts. This proposal has been met with skepticism by Ukraine, which rejects ceding territory to Russia.
**The Implications**
If the summit between Trump and Putin fails to produce a breakthrough, it may further sideline Ukraine and Europe from the peace process. Publicly, Putin has demanded a ban on Ukraine’s NATO membership and a full Ukrainian withdrawal from partially occupied Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia oblasts as a precondition for peace talks.
In response, Zelensky has urged a ceasefire as the first step toward peace talks, a position backed by Kyiv’s European partners. The outcome of this summit will be critical in determining whether Ukraine can achieve a peaceful resolution to the conflict or if Russia’s aggression will continue to intensify.
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