Zelensky warns he will not give up land as Trump to meet Putin in Alaska

       Your support helps us to tell the story

       Read more

       Support Now

       From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

       At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

       The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

       Your support makes all the difference.

       Read more

       Vladimir Putin has demanded Ukrainian forces withdraw from Donetsk as part of any ceasefire deal potentially brokered by Donald Trump, Volodymyr Zelensky said.

       The Ukrainian president said Mr Putin wanted the remaining 30 per cent, or 3,500 square miles of the region, which has seen some of the fiercest fighting in the three-and-a-half-year-old war.

       But Mr Zelensky vowed Ukraine would “never leave” the Donbas and warned Mr Putin’s troops could use it as a spring board for a future invasion.

       "We will not leave Donbas. We cannot do this. Everyone forgets the first part - our territories are illegally occupied. Donbas for the Russians is a springboard for a future new offensive,” he said.

       Mr Zelensky learned of Russia's position after holding a call with Mr Trump and special envoy Steve Witkoff, after Mr Witkoff’s bilateral meeting with Mr Putin.

       Mr Witkoff told Zelensky that Russia was ready to end the war and that there should be territorial concessions from both sides.

       Mr Trump will meet the Russian leader in Anchorage, Alaska’s largest city, on Friday, for what he described as “feel out” meeting.

       Recommended

       Mapped: Russian-held Ukrainian territory Zelensky could be ‘prepared to cede’ under peace deal‘I’m going to Russia’: Trump appears to forget Alaska is in US as he frets over facing PutinTrump’s prediction about Zelensky-less Ukraine summit with Putin in Alaska: ‘I’ll know in the first two minutes’Europe must show Putin it’s serious about peace in Ukraine – and prepare for war

       Key Points

       Putin demands Ukrainian withdrawal from Donetsk, says ZelenskyRussia tries to make sudden advance in Ukraine before Trump-Putin summitUkraine will not pull its forces out of Donbas, Zelensky saysPutin preparing for new offensives instead of ceasefire in Ukraine, says ZelenskyEU leaders urge Trump not to exclude Ukraine from talks about its future

       15 minutes ago

       Comment: When Trump and Putin go head to head in Alaska, who wins?

       When Trump and Putin go head to head, who wins?

       Friday’s summit in Alaska between the two leaders to discuss how to end the war in Ukraine will show that it is the cunning former KGB officer who understands the art of the deal, says Sean O’Grady

       Alexander Butler13 August 2025 03:00

       2 hours ago

       White House is already downplaying expectation for Trump-Putin meeting painting it as only a step toward peace

       White House is already downplaying Trump-Putin meeting as only a step toward peace

       Trump and Putin will meet in Anchorage on Friday

       Alexander Butler13 August 2025 01:00

       3 hours ago

       Starmer determined to secure 'robust security guarantees'

       Ahead of Wednesday’s call, a Downing Street spokesperson said: “The Prime Minister remains absolutely focused on a solution to this conflict grounded in Ukraine’s national interests.

       “He is determined to achieve a just and lasting peace in Ukraine, backed by robust and credible security guarantees that will deter Russia from threatening Ukraine in future.”

       This comes ahead of the expected meeting between Mr Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska on Friday.

       The two leaders are set to meet to discuss the future of the Kremlin’s invasion, without the presence of Mr Zelensky.

       Alexander Butler12 August 2025 23:30

       4 hours ago

       Starmer to co-chair Ukraine meeting after call with Trump and European leaders

       Sir Keir Starmer will co-chair a meeting with pro-Ukraine allies on Wednesday after a call with US president Donald Trump and European leaders about ending the war.

       Sir Keir will join a virtual call at midday with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky, French president Emmanuel Macron and German chancellor Friedrich Merz.

       They will then be joined by Mr Trump and US vice president JD Vance. Later, the PM will co-chair a “Coalition of the Willing” meeting to update wider partners on the day’s discussions.

       Alexander Butler12 August 2025 22:30

       6 hours ago

       RECAP: Russian troops surge on frontline as Ukraine claims hit on Russian drone warehouse

       Tuesday has seen reports of a surge from Russian forces concentrated around land east of the mining town of Dobropillia.

       The DeepState war map showed Russian forces had quickly moved north in two prongs covering as much as 10 kilometres (6.2 miles).

       Ukraine later said it had sent reserves in to cover “difficult” near the cities of Pokrovsk and Dobropillia.

       Later in the day, its SBU intelligence agency said its drones had hit a building containing long-range Shahed attack drones in Russia's Tatarstan region, 1,300 km (800 miles)from Ukraine.

       The SBU said this was the second such strike in four days, and that videos filmed by local residents there confirmed the facility had been hit.

       Nicole Wootton-Cane12 August 2025 21:00

       6 hours ago

       Nato Secretary General will participate in leader's meeting tomorrow

       Nato Secretary General will participate in a meeting between President Zelensky, President Trump, and European leaders on Wednesday, a spokesperson said.

       In a statement, they wrote: “On Wednesday, 13 August 2025, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte will participate in the virtual meetings of European leaders, the US and Ukraine, hosted by the Federal Chancellor of Germany Friedrich Merz to discuss Ukraine.”

       Nicole Wootton-Cane12 August 2025 20:30

       7 hours ago

       Analysis: 'Europe's leaders must prepare their countries for the worst'

       Europe’s leaders must prepare their people for war with Moscow, says The Independent’s world affairs editor Sam Kiley.

       “There should be no expectation that Trump will take the side of democratic pro-Western Ukraine over the dictator Putin on Friday – and the Europeans know that,” he writes. “That why they’re working very hard to make sure that Zelensky is at the summit too – and that he’s reinforced with the full force of European diplomacy if he’s allowed to attend.

       “But it is military force that Europe needs to be able to show – not just as US taxpayer subsidies to European security are cut back by Trump, but right now.”

       You can read his full analysis here.

       Nicole Wootton-Cane12 August 2025 20:00

       7 hours ago

       Putin demands Ukrainian withdrawal from Donetsk, says Zelensky

       Vladimir Putin has demanded Ukrainian forces withdraw from Donetsk as part of any ceasefire deal potentially brokered by Donald Trump, Volodymyr Zelensky said.

       The Ukrainian president said Mr Putin wanted the the remaining 30 per cent, or 3,500 square miles of the region, which has seen some of the fiercest fighting in the three-and-a-half-year-old war.

       But Mr Zelensky vowed Ukraine would “never leave” the Donbas and warned Mr Putin’s troops could use it as a spring board for a future invasion.

       "We will not leave Donbas. We cannot do this. Everyone forgets the first part - our territories are illegally occupied. Donbas for the Russians is a springboard for a future new offensive,” he said.

       Mr Zelensky learned of Russia's position after holding a call with Mr Trump and special envoy Steve Witkoff, after Mr Witkoff’s bilateral meeting with Putin.

       Alexander Butler12 August 2025 19:54

       7 hours ago

       Putin pictured chairing meeting at the Kremin on Tuesday

       Pictures show Russian leader Vladimir Putin chairing a meeting on economic issues at the Kremlin in Moscow on Tuesday.

       It comes as Putin prepares to travel to Alaska to meet US President Donald Trump to discuss the war on Friday.

       (Sputnik)

       Nicole Wootton-Cane12 August 2025 19:30

       7 hours ago

       Talks with Putin will be a 'listening exercise' for Trump

       White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt has said that the upcoming meeting between the two leaders will be a “listening exercise” for Trump.

       She added that she is “very confident” the US president will remain optimistic after the summit in Anchorage in Alaska on Friday.

       "Only one party that's involved in this war is going to be present, so this is for the president to go and get a more firm understanding of how we can hopefully bring this war to an end."

       She said there are plans in the works for Trump to visit Russia in the future.

       Holly Evans12 August 2025 19:24

       Newer1 / 8

       Older