Ukrainian soldiers are holding the Russian offensive on the eastern frontline amid US President Donald Trump's looming ceasefire deadline.

Russia's President Vladimir Putin said Thursday he hopes to meet next week with U.S. President Donald Trump, possibly in the United Arab Emirates, although a White House official cast doubt on the summit occurring unless the Kremlin leader also agreed to a meeting with Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Putin’s announcement came on the eve of a White House deadline for Moscow to show progress toward ending the 3-year war in Ukraine or suffer additional economic sanctions.

The U.S. was still expected to impose those sanctions Friday on Russia, according to a White House official who was not authorized to speak publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity.

Ukraine fears being sidelined by direct negotiations between Washington and Moscow, and Zelenskyy said he had phone conversations with several European leaders Thursday amid a flurry of diplomatic activity. European countries have pledged to back Ukraine for as long as it takes to defeat Russia's invasion.

AP Video shot by Vasilisa Stepanenko