Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that Kyiv is ready for real solutions that could bring peace, but added that all solutions without Ukraine would be against peace.

As he assessed, these are"dead solutions, which will never work, while everyone needs real, living peace that people will respect".

- Ukrainians defend their own. Even those who are with Russia know that it does evil. Of course, we will not reward Russia for what it has done. The Ukrainian people deserve peace. But all partners must understand what a worthy peace is - announced Zelenski.

As he emphasized, this war must be ended, and Russia must end it.

According to him, as reported by Ukrinform, Russia started it and is delaying it, not listening to any deadlines,"and that is the problem, not anything else".

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- The answer to the Ukrainian territorial question is already in the Constitution of Ukraine. No one will and cannot deviate from this. Ukrainians will not give their land to the occupier - said the head of the Ukrainian state.

He added that he is ready, together with Trump and other partners, to work on a real, and most importantly, lasting peace, a peace that will not collapse because of Moscow's wishes.

Zelensky expressed gratitude to all Ukrainians for their unity and togetherness.

"Ukraine exists. Thank you to all our soldiers for preserving our independence. Be strong. This is our country, we are Ukraine. Glory to Ukraine!" he wrote.

Zelensky noted that Trump announced that he would meet with Putin in Alaska,"very far from this war that is being waged on our land, against our people, and which still cannot be ended without us, without Ukraine," the press service of the Ukrainian president announced.

- Putin did not believe in our people and that is why he made this hopeless decision to try to conquer Ukraine. That was his main mistake, he ignored the Ukrainians - Zelensky said, adding that he believes in the Ukrainian people.

Trump with Putin on Friday in Alaska

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Russian state media agency Tass confirmed the date and location of the meeting, citing Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov.

The US president also said that"there will be some exchange of territories" for the benefit of both Ukraine and Russia and that the issue will be discussed soon, but did not give further details.

Bloomberg reported on Friday that the deal could consolidate some of Putin's territorial gains in Ukraine, effectively freezing the front lines in the Kherson and Zaporozhye regions. Putin has claimed four Ukrainian regions in their entirety, although much of their territory remains under Ukrainian control.

The Kremlin announced

The Kremlin confirmed this morning that Putin will meet Trump in Alaska on Friday, August 15, describing the choice of venue as completely logical.

"The American side has just announced an agreement to organize a meeting between the Russian and American presidents, Vladimir Putin, and Donald Trump on Friday, August 15, in Alaska. Russia and the USA are close neighbors, countries that border each other, so it seems quite logical that our delegation simply flies over the Bering Strait and that such an important and expected summit of the leaders of the two countries takes place in Alaska," said Kremlin diplomatic advisor Yuri Ushakov, reports RIA.

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Putin is offering a truce in exchange for eastern Ukraine, the WSJ claims

Russian President Vladimir Putin has reportedly presented a comprehensive ceasefire proposal to US envoy Steve Witkoff, offering an end to the war in exchange for the eastern regions of Ukraine. This information, citing European and Ukrainian officials, was published on August 8 by The Wall Street Journal and reported by the Kyiv Independent.

According to European officials briefed on the conversation, Putin told Vitkoff that Russia would agree to a full ceasefire if Kiev withdrew its forces from the Donetsk region. This would ensure Moscow complete control over Donetsk and Lugansk, as well as over Crimea.

European officials familiar with the proposal have reportedly expressed serious doubts, fearing that Putin is delaying negotiations to avoid secondary sanctions announced by US President Trump. Additional concern is caused by the uncertainty surrounding the fate of the partially occupied territories in Zaporozhye and Kherson, as it is not clear whether the front line would freeze in its current positions or Russian forces would withdraw.

The WSJ says Putin's proposal consists of two phases. The first would involve the withdrawal of Ukrainian forces from Donetsk and the freezing of the front line. In the second phase, Trump and Putin would agree on a final peace agreement, which would be subsequently negotiated with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Chronology of US-Russian relations since Trump's return to the White House

February 12 - The first official telephone conversation with Putin in Trump's second term was held. Trump said it was a"long and very productive call" in which both sides agreed for the delegations to meet in Saudi Arabia.

February 18 - US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov hold personal talks in Saudi Arabia.

March 18 - Another direct phone call between Trump and Putin. The White House announced that the two leaders agreed on a peace framework that begins with a ceasefire in energy and key infrastructure.

April 11 - Trump envoy Steve Witkoff meets with Putin in Moscow for further talks.

May 15 – American diplomats and Ukrainian officials meet with representatives of the Russian government for peace talks in Turkey.

August 6 - Witkoff makes his fifth trip to Moscow as Trump's deadline for Russia to accept a ceasefire approaches. Trump imposes 25% additional sanctions on India for buying Russian oil.

August 8 - Ceasefire deadline expires, but Trump confirms he will meet Putin in Alaska next week.