US President Donald Trump said in a conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky that Vladimir Putin is demanding the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from the entire territory of Donbas, Bloomberg reports, citing sources.
At the same time, according to the agency, Trump stressed that Ukraine must decide for itself what to do with its territory.
A Bloomberg source also said that Europe is concerned that Trump, who wants to quickly conclude a peace agreement, will put pressure on Zelensky to make territorial concessions.
After a phone call with Trump, Zelensky said that he would meet with the US president at the White House on August 18.
The Russians may soon try to increase pressure and strikes on Ukrainian positions, based on from the diplomatic situation around Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelensky said in "Telegram", quoted by Ukrinform, BTA reported.
"Based on the political and diplomatic situation around Ukraine and knowing Russia's meanness, we predict that the Russian army in the coming days may try to increase pressure and strikes against Ukrainian positions in order to create more favorable political circumstances for talks with world figures. We are establishing the movement and preparation of Russian troops," Zelensky wrote.
The Ukrainian president stressed that Ukraine will counterattack - if necessary, even asymmetrically. "I asked the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces to talk to the combat commanders. Ukraine needs strong positions and truly tangible counteraction against the enemy," Zelensky stressed.
The leaders of the countries of the "Coalition of the Willing" - French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz will talk about Ukraine tomorrow, Agence France-Presse reported, citing a statement from the Elysee Palace.
The meeting via videoconference with Paris will begin tomorrow at 3 p.m. local time (1 p.m. GMT). It will discuss preparations for the next stages of peace talks on Ukraine.
The consultations will take place on the eve of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's visit to the United States tomorrow and after yesterday's summit in Alaska between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.