LONDON — Russian President Vladimir Putin is displaying “no signal” that he intends to finish Moscow’s warfare on Ukraine, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy mentioned 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 mentioned in a press release posted to social media.
“There isn’t any signal now that the Russians are making ready to finish the warfare,” he added. “Our coordinated efforts and joint steps — of Ukraine, the US, Europe, all international locations that need peace — can undoubtedly drive Russia to make peace.”
The White Home is making ready for what might show a pivotal assembly in Anchorage. President Donald Trump’s summit with Putin can be “a listening train,” White Home Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt advised 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 advised reporters {that a} face-to-face assembly will give Trump “the very best indication of methods to finish this warfare and the place that is headed.”
“I believe it is a listening train for the president,” Leavitt mentioned. “Just one celebration that is concerned on this warfare 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 will hopefully convey this warfare to an finish.”
Although particulars of Friday’s assembly are nonetheless being ironed out, Leavitt mentioned it was “a part of the plan” for Trump to satisfy 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 mentioned of the decision that “each side confirmed their dedication to a profitable occasion.”
Zelenskyy shouldn’t be anticipated to attend the occasion. Zelenskyy mentioned in a submit 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 satisfy 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 mentioned the Ukrainian facet had engaged in additional than 30 “conversations and consultations with companions” relating to a possible peace settlement. “Totally different elements of the world, completely different visions, however frequent positions. We should finish this warfare. We should put strain on Russia for an sincere peace.”
After assembly with European leaders, Zelenskyy may have a digital name with Trump and Vice President JD Vance, two officers with information of the preparations advised ABC Information.
Lengthy-range strikes by Russia and Ukraine continued in a single day into Wednesday.
Ukraine’s air drive mentioned 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, mentioned its forces shot down 63 Ukrainian drones in a single day.
Ukraine’s Normal Workers mentioned the targets of the assaults included the Unecha oil pump station in Russia’s western Bryansk area. “An influence and a large-scale hearth was recorded” within the space of the power, the Normal Workers mentioned 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.
