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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called for an end to the war Friday, saying "appropriate steps must be taken by Russia" as U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin prepare to meet in Alaska to discuss the ongoing conflict.
"It is time to end the war, and the necessary steps must be taken by Russia. We are counting on America," Zelenskyy said in a social media post hours before the summit.
Ukrainian president expressed hope that the Alaska meeting would lead to meaningful negotiations in a trilateral format involving Ukraine, the United States and Russia.
"The important thing is that this meeting opens a real path to fair peace and meaningful negotiations in a trilateral format between Ukraine, the U.S. and the Russian side," Zelenskyy said, adding that Ukrainian officials were awaiting information about the summit's preparations and outcomes.
Speaking to reporters aboard his plane en route to Alaska, Trump indicated the United States could provide security guarantees to Ukraine as part of a peace process, though not through NATO.
"Yes, that could happen. We could provide them together with the European Union and some other countries. But of course, this would not be in NATO format," Trump said.
The U.S. president reiterated his threat of severe economic sanctions against Russia if Moscow fails to show a willingness to end the war. "Yes, there will be very serious economic consequences (for Russia)," he stated.
Zelenskyy announced that Ukrainian forces were deploying reinforcements to eastern Ukraine, particularly around the mining hub of Dobropillia in the Donetsk region, where heavy fighting continues.
"Today, a decision was made to further reinforce this and other areas in the Donetsk region," Zelenskyy said following a meeting with military officials.
The Ukrainian president accused Russia of attempting to gain battlefield advantages before the Alaska summit. "The Russian army continues to suffer significant losses in its attempts to secure more favorable political positions for the Russian leadership at the meeting in Alaska. We see these intentions and are informing our allies about the real situation," he said.
The Kremlin announced that Trump would greet Putin at his plane upon arrival in Alaska at 11 a.m. local time (7 p.m. GMT), according to spokesman Dmitry Peskov.
Trump addressed the issue of potential territorial exchanges between Russia and Ukraine, emphasizing that such decisions must come from Ukraine. "This decision must be made by Ukraine, and I think they will make the right decision. I am not here to negotiate on behalf of Ukraine. I am here to bring them to the table," Trump said.
Regarding the reported Russian drone attacks on Ukraine Thursday, Trump commented, "The Russians are trying to bargain this way. He (Putin) is trying to prepare the ground. He thinks this will help him get a better deal, but actually it's hurting him."
French President Emmanuel Macron and Zelenskyy agreed in a phone conversation to meet after the Trump-Putin summit concludes, according to the Elysee Palace. The French presidential office did not specify when or where the meeting would take place.
During an Aug. 13 online meeting on Ukraine that included Trump, Zelenskyy and European leaders, Macron had emphasized the importance of achieving a cease-fire.
"President Trump clearly stated during the Alaska meeting that the U.S. desire is to achieve a ceasefire. It is very important that the U.S. achieves a ceasefire during this meeting," Macron said at the time.
Trump also spoke by phone with Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko, a close Putin ally, before the summit, Belarus state news agency BELTA reported, without providing details.
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