"KYIV -- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Kyiv is seeking a fresh meeting with US President Donald Trump and European allies as soon as next week after telling reporters that Russia is poised to launch a new offensive in eastern Ukraine. "The concentration [of Russian troops] there is up to 100,000," Zelenskyy said on August 29, referring to the front lines near the highly strategic city Pokrovsk. Pokrovsk, in Ukraine's southern Donetsk region, had a prewar population of 60,000 before the war."
"The comments came after Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov boasted about his country's military effort in Ukraine, despite years of high casualties and a major drain on the Russian economy. Belousov also praised Russia's campaign of deadly missile and drone strikes on Ukraine -- attacks that have killed hundreds of civilian and been soundly condemned by the international community. The Russian defense chief said 35 aerial assaults against 146 strategically important sites so far this year have caused severe damage to Ukraine's military infrastructure."
"Zelenskyy said Ukrainian officials want to meet with Trump and European allies next week amid struggling efforts to bring about a cease-fire and eventual end to the all-out war, which begin with Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022. Trump, who has made ending the war a top priority of his presidential term, has expressed frustration with Russian leader Vladimir Putin's refusal to accept US calls for direct negotiations with Zelenskyy."
Kyiv is seeking an urgent meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump and European allies as Russian forces appear poised to launch a new offensive in eastern Ukraine. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported up to 100,000 Russian troops concentrated near frontline positions around Pokrovsk, a strategic Donetsk city whose prewar population of about 60,000 largely fled after months of siege attempts. Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov touted Russia's military campaign and praised missile and drone strikes that have damaged Ukrainian military infrastructure. A recent Russian strike on Kyiv collapsed a building, killing 22 people including four children. Trump has prioritized ending the war but faces Putin's refusal of direct talks with Zelenskyy.
Read at RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty
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