Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that the aim of the Russian military’s advance near Dobropillya in Donetsk is an attempt to create a certain information backdrop ahead of the planned meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, scheduled for August 15.
This is reported by Kyiv24
Russian troops shift focus ahead of the negotiation process
During a conversation with journalists, Zelensky explained that the most difficult situation currently exists in the directions of Kramatorsk and Dobropillya. According to him, groups of Russian soldiers have advanced approximately 10 kilometers in several locations, but they operated without technical support — only with small arms. Some of these units have already been neutralized or captured, while others, the president assures, will also be found and eliminated soon.
“The most difficult situation is Kramatorsk, Dobropillya-Kramatorsk. What happened there? Groups of ‘Ruskies’ advanced about 10 kilometers in several points. All of them are without equipment, only weapons in their hands. Some have already been found, partially destroyed, partially captured. Others will also be found and eliminated soon. The purpose of this advance is clear to us. By August 15, to form a certain information space before the meeting between Putin and Trump, especially in the American space, that Russia is moving forward, advancing, while Ukraine is losing.”
Zelensky emphasized that this increase in Russian activity has an informational component aimed at creating the impression of an alleged advantage for the Russian side before international negotiations.
Russian military maneuvers and Ukraine’s position
The president reported that the Russians have begun to redeploy their units from the Sumy direction to the Zaporizhzhia and Pokrovsk directions, preparing for possible offensive actions in three directions: Zaporizhzhia, Pokrovsk, and Novopavlivka. In Zelensky’s opinion, the main active actions of the enemy may begin after August 15.
The head of state stressed that Ukraine has no intention of leaving Donbas, as these territories are viewed by Russia as a springboard for further offensive operations.
The White House has already confirmed that the meeting between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin will take place on August 15 in Anchorage, Alaska. Representatives of the U.S. administration stated that the main goal of the meeting is to find ways to end the war between Ukraine and Russia.
On August 11, Donald Trump suggested the possibility of a territorial exchange between Ukraine and Russia, but noted that he is not satisfied with the Ukrainian side’s demand for the necessity of adhering to constitutional procedures for this.
At the same time, according to The Wall Street Journal, Vladimir Putin, in a conversation with Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff, expressed readiness for a ceasefire on the condition that Ukraine completely withdraws its troops from the Donetsk region. Later, The Washington Post, citing its own sources, reported that Putin does not plan to abandon claims to the occupied territories of Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions.
President Zelensky once again emphasized that Ukraine will not give up any of its territory to Russia. According to him, neither he nor European leaders were invited to the summit that will take place in Alaska. However, the U.S. administration and President Trump remain in contact with Ukraine and European partners. A joint video conference, initiated by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, is scheduled for August 13.