Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Tuesday that Russian President Vladimir Putin has scored a “personal victory” by being invited to meet US President Donald Trump on American soil. Zelenskyy believes this meeting has delayed new sanctions against Russia.

“First, he will meet on US territory, which I consider his personal victory. Second, he is coming out of isolation because he is meeting on US territory. Third, with this meeting, he has somehow postponed sanctions,” Zelenskyy told reporters, according to AFP.

He warned that the summit planned for Friday might slow down the introduction of fresh U.S. sanctions, even though Trump had promised earlier to impose tougher measures if Putin did not stop the war in Ukraine.

Zelenskyy Rejects Land Swap Proposal

Responding to Trump’s suggestion that the leaders might discuss swapping land to end the conflict, Zelenskyy firmly rejected the idea of pulling Ukrainian troops out of the eastern Donbas region as part of any peace deal.

“We will not withdraw from the Donbas… if we withdraw from the Donbas today - our fortifications, our terrain, the heights we control - we will clearly open a bridgehead for the Russians to prepare an offensive,” Zelenskyy said.

The Donbas area, which includes the Luhansk and Donetsk regions, has been a major target for Russia since its full invasion started in 2022. Russia claims these territories as its own.

Zelenskyy, who is not attending the summit, expressed worry that Russia will demand harsh conditions and that Trump might agree to a deal forcing Ukraine to give up large parts of its land.

Possible Signal of Russian Ceasefire Interest

Zelenskyy also mentioned he received a “signal” from U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff suggesting Russia might consider a ceasefire, though he gave no further details.

“This was the first signal from them,” Zelenskyy said.

The meeting in Alaska on Friday will be the first summit between a current U.S. and Russian president since 2021. Trump aims to help end Russia’s nearly three-and-a-half-year war in Ukraine.

Russia Preparing New Attacks on Battlefield

On the war front, Zelenskyy warned that Russian troops had made important advances near Dobropillia, a coal-mining town. He said Russia plans new ground attacks in at least three areas along the frontline.

“Russian units have advanced 10 kilometres (six miles) deep in several spots. They all have no equipment, only weapons in their hands. Some have already been found, some destroyed, some taken prisoner. We will find the rest and destroy them in the near future,” Zelenskyy said.

Ukrainian military tracker DeepState showed Russian forces pushing about 10 kilometers deep near Dobropillia, a narrow front-line area. This town, which had around 30,000 residents before the war, has been frequently hit by Russian drone strikes.

This advance also threatens Kostiantynivka, a heavily damaged city and one of the last major Ukrainian-held towns in Donetsk.

Russian troops have gained ground steadily over recent months, taking advantage of Ukraine’s strained defenses.

The Ukrainian army said on Tuesday that fighting remained “difficult” and dynamic in the east but denied that Russia had established a stronghold near Dobropillia.

Summit Seen as Chance to Discuss War’s End

Trump called the Alaska summit an opportunity to hear Putin’s ideas about ending the war. Meanwhile, European leaders have worked to ensure Ukraine’s interests are protected.

Since invading Ukraine in 2022, Russia has made slow but costly progress along the front. Moscow claims to have annexed four Ukrainian regions, though battles continue for control.

In recent attacks, Ukrainian police reported that three people died and 12 others were wounded, including a child.