With Trump talks looming, Russia’s army has punched through exposed Ukrainian defences

Zelensky’s softened position comes ahead of Friday’s Trump-Putin peace summit in Alaska

It may take a miracle for the president’s talks with Putin in Alaska to result in a breakthrough. Neither side is prepared for peace

Conflicting reports emerged, with a Kremlin adviser calling it a ‘gift’ to Putin and Trump, while a Ukrainian officer calls the front line ‘chaotic’.

With Trump talks looming, Russia’s army has punched through exposed Ukrainian defences

The US president has said “there will be some land swapping” ahead of a meeting with his Russian counterpart – without President Zelensky

The gains came just days before US President Donald Trump was to meet Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin in Alaska for talks on the war.

The Kremlin is pushing to seize more territory in Donetsk region before Trump-Putin talks on Friday in Alaska.

Ahead of a summit in Alaska between Trump and Putin, Russian troops continued their campaign to take full control of Ukraine's Donetsk region.