For the second day in a row, Ukrainian soldiers are advancing in the Donetsk region near Dobropil and Pokrovska, Zelensky announced after hearing a report from Army Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrsky.

"The destruction of the occupiers who tried to penetrate deep into our positions will continue. The replenishment of the Ukrainian [prisoner] exchange fund with Russian soldiers is important," the president noted.

Zelensky also warned that the Russian army may try to increase pressure and launch new strikes on Ukrainian positions in the coming days in order to create more favorable political conditions for negotiations with global players.

"We are recording the movement and preparation of Russian troops. Of course, we will counterattack if necessary - asymmetrically," the president said.

On Friday, the General Staff of the Ukrainian Army announced that the further advance of Russian troops in the direction of Pokrovsk in the Donetsk region had been stopped, and six settlements had been recaptured.

Trump has also emphasized that Ukraine must decide for itself what to do with its territory.

The Wall Street Journal reported on August 8, citing sources, that Putin was ready to agree to a ceasefire if Ukraine withdrew its troops from the Donetsk region. The front line in other regions would be frozen.