LONDON — Russian President Vladimir Putin is displaying “no signal” that he intends to finish Moscow’s battle on Ukraine, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated on Wednesday as preparations for Friday’s U.S.-Russia summit in Alaska proceed.
“We should study from the expertise of Ukraine, our companions, to forestall deception by Russia,” Zelenskyy stated in a press release posted to social media.
“There isn’t a signal now that the Russians are making ready to finish the battle,” he added. “Our coordinated efforts and joint steps — of Ukraine, the US, Europe, all nations that need peace — can undoubtedly drive Russia to make peace.”
The White Home is making ready for what may show a pivotal assembly in Anchorage. President Donald Trump’s summit with Putin will probably be “a listening train,” White Home Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt informed reporters on Tuesday.
A lady walks previous a closely broken residential constructing following a Russian strike within the city of Bilozerske, Donetsk area of Ukraine, on August 12, 2025.
Genya Savilov/AFP through Getty Pictures
Leavitt informed reporters {that a} face-to-face assembly will give Trump “one of the best indication of how you can finish this battle and the place that is headed.”
“I believe it is a listening train for the president,” Leavitt stated. “Just one get together that is concerned on this battle goes to be current. And so that is for the president to go and to get, once more, a extra agency and higher understanding of how we are able to hopefully deliver this battle to an finish.”
Although particulars of Friday’s assembly are nonetheless being ironed out, Leavitt stated it was “a part of the plan” for Trump to fulfill one-on-one with Putin.
Secretary of State Rubio and Russian International Minister Sergei Lavrov spoke by cellphone on Tuesday as preparations continued. State Division spokesperson Tammy Bruce stated of the decision that “each side confirmed their dedication to a profitable occasion.”
Zelenskyy will not be anticipated to attend the occasion. Zelenskyy stated in a put up to Telegram on Tuesday that his authorities is “making ready sure steps to additional mobilize our companions” because the Alaska summit approaches.
Zelenskyy traveled to Berlin, Germany, on Wednesday to fulfill with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and different European leaders. European governments have expressed their assist for Ukraine in any coming peace negotiations, urging Trump to facilitate European and Ukrainian involvement in any such discussions.
In a press release posted to Telegram, Zelenskyy stated the Ukrainian facet had engaged in additional than 30 “conversations and consultations with companions” relating to a possible peace settlement. “Totally different components of the world, completely different visions, however widespread positions. We should finish this battle. We should put stress on Russia for an trustworthy peace.”
After assembly with European leaders, Zelenskyy can have a digital name with Trump and Vice President JD Vance, two officers with information of the preparations informed ABC Information.
Lengthy-range strikes by Russia and Ukraine continued in a single day into Wednesday.
Ukraine’s air drive stated Russia launched 49 drones and two North Korean-made ballistic missiles into the nation in a single day, of which 32 drones and each missiles have been shot down or suppressed.
On this pool {photograph} distributed by Russian state company Sputnik, Russia’s President Vladimir Putin is pictured in Moscow on August 12, 2025.
Vyacheslav Prokofiev/POOL/AFP through Getty Pictures
Russia’s Protection Ministry, in the meantime, stated its forces shot down 63 Ukrainian drones in a single day.
Ukraine’s Normal Employees stated the targets of the assaults included the Unecha oil pump station in Russia’s western Bryansk area. “An affect and a large-scale hearth was recorded” within the space of the power, the Normal Employees stated in a press release.
ABC Information’ Kelsey Walsh, Natalia Kushnir, Anna Sergeeva, Yulia Drozd, Hannah Demissie, Morgan Winsor and Joe Simonetti contributed to this report.
