Russian forces launched one of their largest offensives of 2024 near the coal-mining town of Dobropillia in eastern Ukraine, escalating tensions just days before a high-stakes summit between Presidents Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin. Ukrainian military officials confirmed fierce fighting, with reserves deployed to hold the line as Moscow seeks full control of Donetsk region.
The timing of the assault has raised alarms in Kyiv and European capitals, where leaders fear Trump may push for a unilateral peace deal that forces Ukraine to cede territory. Trump has previously suggested “territorial swaps” between Russia and Ukraine—a notion Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy rejects, insisting any agreement must respect international law and Ukraine’s sovereignty.
The two leaders will meet Friday at Elmendorf Air Force Base in Alaska—their first face-to-face talks since 2021. While the White House downplayed expectations, calling it a “listening exercise,” U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio hinted Trump wants to assess Putin’s intentions directly.
“The president feels like, look, I’ve got to look this guy across the table… I need to make an assessment by looking at him.”
— Secretary Marco Rubio on Trump’s approach
But European leaders and Zelenskyy warn that any deal made without Ukraine’s input would legitimize Russia’s illegal land grabs. Ahead of the summit, Zelenskyy will hold a virtual meeting with Trump and EU allies Wednesday to stress that “peace cannot be decided over Ukraine’s head.”
Ukraine remains heavily dependent on U.S. military aid, but Trump’s past comments suggest he may prioritize a quick settlement over Kyiv’s territorial demands. European officials fear Trump could undercut Ukraine’s leverage, pushing Zelenskyy into concessions on Crimea and the Donbas in exchange for an uncertain ceasefire.
“Substantive and productive talks about us without us will not work.”
— President Zelenskyy to NewsNation
With Russia gaining ground militarily and diplomatic tensions rising, the Alaska summit could mark a turning point—either toward de-escalation or a fractured Western response that leaves Ukraine vulnerable.