Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has cautioned that Russian President Vladimir Putin is gearing up for “new offensive operations” in Ukraine, dismissing any suggestion that Moscow is ready for a ceasefire before this week’s peace talks in Alaska with U.S. President Donald Trump.
In a video address late on Monday, Zelenskyy stated that Ukrainian intelligence reports indicate Russia is repositioning troops and military assets, particularly in the Zaporizhzhia region, for fresh assaults.
‘Not Preparing for Peace’
“He is definitely not preparing for a ceasefire or an end to the war,” Zelenskyy said. “On the contrary, they are moving in ways that suggest preparations for new offensive operations. If someone is preparing for peace, this is not what he does.”
These remarks come just days before Putin is scheduled to meet with Trump in Alaska, a meeting the Kremlin is expected to frame as a diplomatic achievement. Zelenskyy warned that Putin might use the talks as a political maneuver before resuming aggressive military action.
Intensified Battlefield Activity
Ukrainian military spokesperson Vladyslav Voloshyn informed Reuters that Russian forces have been moving units in southern Ukraine in preparation for further attacks. The Institute for the Study of War (ISW), a U.S.-based think tank, echoed Zelenskyy’s concerns, noting Moscow’s lack of public messaging about a potential negotiated settlement.
Zelenskyy told Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney during a call, “The Russians simply want to buy time, not end the war.” He added that Russia’s ongoing strikes on civilian infrastructure prove its unwillingness to engage in genuine peace efforts.
International Leaders Support Kyiv’s Terms
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Canada’s Carney both reiterated on Monday that any peace agreement must involve Ukraine directly and cannot be imposed by outside powers. “Ukraine’s future must be one of freedom, sovereignty, and self-determination,” a spokesperson for Starmer said.
For his part, Trump told reporters that he would know “probably in the first two minutes” of his meeting with Putin whether progress toward ending the war was possible, adding that a future meeting could include Zelenskyy.
