President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance are scheduled to participate in a virtual meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and European leaders on Wednesday. This meeting comes ahead of a summit between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin set for Friday in Anchorage, Alaska.

Zelenskyy indicated that there are signs Russia may be open to ending the ongoing conflict. He mentioned that during a recent phone call with Trump, White House adviser Steve Witkoff, and European leaders, there was a positive signal from Witkoff suggesting that Russia might be ready to take initial steps toward a ceasefire. "Everyone on the call felt positive about this — that there was some kind of shift," Zelenskyy stated.

However, he clarified that there were no specific demands or proposals from the U.S. during the discussions. Zelenskyy expressed uncertainty about what Putin communicated to Witkoff. He noted that since a previous meeting with Trump had occurred, a subsequent meeting between Trump and Putin seemed logical. He also suggested that a trilateral meeting involving the U.S., Ukraine, and Russia should follow.

Despite the upcoming peace summit, Zelenskyy warned that Putin is preparing for new offensive operations. He pointed out that Russian forces have made significant advances in eastern Ukraine, particularly near the city of Pokrovsk. Zelenskyy reported that Russian troops have breached defensive lines, moving closer to the town of Dobropillia, which could threaten key Ukrainian defensive positions.

In a statement, Zelenskyy asserted, "Putin is definitely not preparing for a ceasefire or an end to the war. He is determined only to present a meeting with America as his personal victory and then continue acting exactly as before."

Zelenskyy emphasized that Ukraine will not concede any territory, abandon its NATO aspirations, or accept limitations on its military capabilities. He described Russia's demands, which include territorial concessions and military restrictions, as an attempt to "partition Ukraine."

Trump characterized the upcoming summit with Putin as a "feel-out meeting," stating, "I’m going in to speak to Vladimir, and I’m going to be telling him, ‘You got to end this war. You got to end it.'" He expressed confidence in his ability to gauge the potential for a deal quickly, saying, "At the end of that meeting, probably in the first two minutes, I’ll know exactly whether or not a deal can be made."

As the situation evolves, Zelenskyy and his administration are actively seeking international support for Ukraine's position ahead of the critical discussions with both Trump and Putin.