U.S. proposals for a peace deal between Ukraine and Russia meet many of Kyiv's demands, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. On Monday, he said that while the drafts look solid, neither side is likely to get everything it wants. U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff held productive talks with Ukrainian and European representatives. Meanwhile, Ukrainian forces have struck deep inside Russia, targeting an oil terminal, pipeline, and military assets. These attacks aim to disrupt Russia's war effort. Russia continues targeting Ukraine's energy sector, trying to deprive civilians of heat and water during winter.

President Donald Trump says it's possible that Ukraine can defeat Russia, but he's doubtful that it will happen. The latest comments from Trump added a fresh layer of skepticism toward Kyiv as he plans to meet again with Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss ending the war. Trump on Monday said Ukrainians "could still win it" but added, "I don't think they will." Trump last month reversed his long-held position that Ukraine would have to concede land and said it could win back all the territory it has lost to Russia. But he changed his position again last week after holding a call with Putin and meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

A Ukrainian military official says Russia's invading forces have broken into an eighth region of Ukraine, seeking to capture more ground in their three-year war of attrition as U.S.-led peace efforts struggle to gain traction. Victor Trehubov, spokesman for local ground forces, told The Associated Press that some Russian troops have entered two villages in the eastern Dnipropetrovsk region, a major Ukrainian industrial center next to the Donetsk region where fierce fighting has been taking place. Ukrainian troops are under severe strain as they try to hold back Russia's bigger army.

Days before the leaders of Russia and the U.S. hold a summit meeting in Alaska, Moscow's forces breached Ukrainian lines in a series of infiltrations this week in the country's industrial heartland of Donetsk. The advances amount to only a limited success for Russia, since Moscow still needs to consolidate its gains before achieving a true breakthrough. Still, some observers say it's a potentially dangerous moment. Analyst Mykola Bieleskov says Russian President Vladimir Putin will likely try to persuade U.S. President Donald Trump to pressure Kyiv by arguing the 3 1/2-year-old war is going badly for Kyiv.

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says Ukrainian forces are holding back a concerted summer push by Russia's bigger army to break through defenses along parts of the front line. He says Ukraine has thwarted Russian efforts to get into Pokrovsk in the eastern Donetsk region. He says the situation has also improved in the northeastern Sumy border region. Analysts say Russia has recently made only incremental gains in its slow and costly advance against Ukrainian defenses. With the war now in its fourth year after Russia's February 2022 invasion of its neighbor, the effort is draining resources on both sides, although Russia can sustain the fight for longer while Ukraine seeks further support from Western partners.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has renewed his offer to meet Russia's Vladimir Putin to negotiate an end to the war. However, hopes for progress remain low as delegations prepare for talks in Istanbul. On Tuesday, Kremlin officials dismissed chances of a high-level meeting, citing significant unresolved issues. Previous talks in Istanbul led to prisoner exchanges but no major agreements. Meanwhile, Russian forces launched nighttime attacks on four Ukrainian cities, killing a child and wounding dozens. Strikes hit regions like Sumy and Kramatorsk, damaging homes and infrastructure. Ukraine plans to push for more prisoner releases and the return of abducted children.

Officials say Russian drones, missiles and artillery have killed at least 26 civilians and injured more than 200 others in Ukraine. The attacks coincided with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's push for guarantees of further Western military aid for his country. Zelenskyy met Tuesday with Western leaders attending a NATO summit in The Hague, Netherlands. He is keen to lock in additional military support for Ukraine's fight against Russia, as direct peace talks have delivered no progress on a possible settlement. Analysts say key U.S. military commitments to Ukraine left over from the Biden administration are expected to run out within months, and there is uncertainty over whether President Donald Trump will provide more.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is urging greater international pressure on Moscow. Zelenskyy's remarks came two days after a Russian missile strike hit a Kyiv apartment building and killed 23 people. Zelenskyy visited the site with top officials on Thursday. He called the attack a sign that Russia is rejecting ceasefire efforts. Zelenskyy thanked allies ready to push the Kremlin to "feel the real cost of the war." The strike was part of Russia's largest assault on Kyiv this year amid a broader offensive along the front line. Russian President Vladimir Putin has said he's open to talks on ending the war. Putin has effectively rejected U.S. ceasefire offers.

Russian forces have launched a large-scale drone assault across Ukraine, where officials said three people were killed and 64 others wounded. The overnight strikes caused widespread destruction in the northeastern city of Kharkiv, where apartment buildings, private homes, playgrounds, industrial sites and public transportation were hit. Moscow' has deployed high numbers of drones and missiles in recent days. Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy responded by reiterating calls for greater international pressure on Russia.