United News of Bangladesh

The death toll from relentless monsoon rains in Pakistan continues to rise, with at least 220 people confirmed dead after flash floods and landslides swept away homes in the northwest, officials said Saturday. Rescue teams recovered 63 additional bodies overnight in Buner district, one of the hardest-hit areas in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, emergency services spokesperson Mohammad Suhail said. Torrential rains and sudden cloudbursts triggered powerful floods on Friday, destroying dozens of homes and leaving many trapped. Since June 2, approximately 541 people have died in rain-related incidents across Pakistan, according to the National Disaster Management Authority, which attributed the above-average rainfall to climate change. Efforts to find survivors continued in the worst-affected villages of Pir Baba and Malik Pura. Kashif Qayyum, the deputy commissioner of Buner, said most of Friday’s casualties occurred in these two areas. Residents described the floods as sudden and overwhelming. “We had no warning. The water came so fast, many didn’t even have time to step out of their homes,” said Mohammad Khan, 53, a resident of Pir Baba. At a local government hospital in Buner, Dr. Mohammad Tariq said most of the deceased were already dead upon arrival. “Among the victims were mostly men and children, while many women were away in the hills collecting firewood and grazing livestock,” he noted. The provincial disaster management authority reported that 351 people have died this week alone in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit-Baltistan due to weather-related disasters. Meanwhile, across the border in Indian-administered Kashmir, flash floods have also claimed dozens of lives and forced hundreds to flee. Cloudbursts and intense rainfall are becoming increasingly frequent in the Himalayan regions of both Pakistan and India — a phenomenon experts attribute to climate change. Over 200 dead as flash floods hit India, Pakistan Since Thursday, Pakistani rescue teams have evacuated more than 3,500 tourists from flood-stricken areas. Authorities have repeatedly urged people to avoid travel to northern and northwestern regions due to the risk of further landslides and flooding, but many have ignored the warnings. Pakistan is still recovering from the devastating 2022 monsoon season, which left over 1,700 dead and caused an estimated $40 billion in damages.  

President Donald Trump failed to secure a peace agreement with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday, ending their high-profile summit in Alaska without a breakthrough in efforts to end the war in Ukraine. Despite offering Putin a warm welcome, Trump left empty-handed in what was seen as his biggest diplomatic test to date. Speaking after the summit, Trump said, “There’s no deal until there’s a deal,” while Putin suggested the two had reached a vague “understanding” and warned Europe not to derail what he described as early progress. Trump said he would soon brief Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and European allies on the outcome. Trump, who had promised a swift end to the war when he returned to office, couldn’t even convince Putin to agree to a temporary halt in fighting. This, despite earlier moves to pressure Ukraine’s leadership and limit military aid. While Trump threatened new sanctions and greeted Putin with ceremony at the military base in Anchorage, no substantial progress was made. Instead, the meeting served to boost Putin’s international image after years of isolation by the West over his war in Ukraine and domestic crackdowns. The summit also delayed the threat of new U.S. sanctions. In a sign of disappointment, a planned joint press conference ended without taking questions from the media. Later, in a Fox News interview, Trump shifted focus, suggesting that it might now be Zelenskyy’s responsibility to move peace efforts forward—despite not being invited to the summit. Trump had hoped to showcase his negotiating abilities, while Putin sought concessions that would solidify Russia’s battlefield gains, block Ukraine’s NATO ambitions, and bring the country back under Moscow’s influence. “We made significant progress,” Trump said alongside Putin. “There are just a few points left, one very serious. But we didn’t reach an agreement.” Putin: Trump Understands Russia’s Priorities For Putin, stepping onto U.S. soil for the first time in over a decade marked a symbolic victory. He framed the summit as a chance to rebuild pragmatic ties with Washington and praised Trump as someone who respects that Russia has its own national interests. Putin expressed hope that the talks would serve as a turning point in U.S.–Russia relations and possibly lay the foundation for resolving the Ukraine conflict. Although no concrete agreement was reached, Trump closed the meeting by thanking Putin and hinting at a future encounter. When Putin suggested meeting “next time in Moscow,” Trump replied that it was “an interesting one,” acknowledging that such a visit could draw criticism but might still happen. Trump later told Fox News that Putin echoed many of his own views—including grievances about the 2020 U.S. election—raising concerns that the Russian leader may have successfully flattered Trump into viewing the summit as a personal win, despite its lack of results. The two leaders greeted each other warmly upon arrival, shaking hands at length and chatting while military jets soared overhead. Putin even rode in Trump’s presidential limo to the meeting venue. The red-carpet treatment stood in stark contrast to Putin’s role in launching the ongoing war in Ukraine and may have unsettled European allies watching from afar. Summit Format Altered, Zelenskyy Left Out White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed just before Trump’s arrival that the meeting format had changed: instead of a one-on-one talk, it would include three officials from each side. Trump was joined by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and special envoy Steve Witkoff, while Putin brought Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and adviser Yuri Ushakov. The format change appeared to be a more cautious approach compared to Trump’s controversial 2018 summit with Putin in Helsinki, where the two met privately and Trump publicly questioned U.S. intelligence on Russian election interference. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy’s absence from the Alaska talks marked a clear departure from the West’s longstanding policy of “nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine,” further fueling concerns in Kyiv and Europe. Peace Still Out of Reach Russia and Ukraine remain at odds on key conditions for peace. Putin has rejected any temporary ceasefire unless the West halts arms shipments to Ukraine and Kyiv stops mobilizing troops—terms flatly rejected by Ukrainian and Western leaders. Now in its fourth year, the war continues to claim lives and drain resources on both sides. Ukraine, though far smaller than Russia, has managed to hold out since the invasion began in early 2022. Still, it faces relentless attacks across a sprawling 1,000-kilometer (600-mile) front line. Trump-Putin Talks in Alaska Could Redefine Moscow-Washington Relations   Alaska’s proximity to Russia—just 3 miles (5 kilometers) across the Bering Strait—gave the summit additional symbolic weight. The Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, a key Cold War outpost, remains a hub for intercepting Russian aircraft entering U.S. airspace.

As U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin prepare for a high-stakes summit in Alaska on Friday, Putin has praised Trump’s “sincere and energetic” efforts to bring an end to the war in Ukraine—more than three years after Russia’s full-scale invasion began. In a Kremlin-released video after meeting with Russian officials, Putin said the Trump administration was actively working to halt the conflict and reach a resolution beneficial to all sides. He also expressed hope for broader peace agreements, including potential nuclear arms control deals, that could stabilize relations between Russia, the U.S., and Europe. Trump, speaking from Washington, acknowledged there was a 25% chance the summit could fail. Still, he suggested that if talks go well, he might invite Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to Alaska for a follow-up, three-way meeting. In a Fox News interview, Trump hinted he could extend his stay in Alaska depending on the outcome with Putin. European Allies on Edge As preparations for the summit ramped up, Zelenskyy visited London for talks with U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer. The meeting was a public show of support from Britain and followed a virtual conference between Trump and European leaders the previous day, where Trump pledged to prioritize a Ukraine ceasefire in talks with Putin. Despite reassurances, European leaders remain concerned. Trump has shifted his tone toward both Zelenskyy and Putin since returning to office, raising fears that Friday’s one-on-one U.S.-Russia meeting could sideline Ukraine and Europe. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and French President Emmanuel Macron called the earlier video call constructive but voiced uncertainty over the negotiations’ direction. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov played down expectations, saying no formal agreements would be signed and warning against predicting the summit's outcome. The Kremlin confirmed the meeting would start at 11:30 a.m. local time, with private talks followed by expanded discussions and a working breakfast. A joint press conference was scheduled, though Trump later said no final decision had been made about addressing the media—highlighting the summit's still-fluid plans. Concerns Over Ukraine’s Future Prime Minister Starmer suggested the summit could open a path to a ceasefire, but warned that any deal must preserve Ukraine’s territorial integrity. He emphasized that international borders should not be redrawn through violence. Trump-Putin Talks in Alaska Could Redefine Moscow-Washington Relations Ukraine and its Western allies continue to insist that long-term peace must include security guarantees to prevent future Russian aggression. While countries like France and the U.K. support this idea, they’ve been hesitant to commit military forces. Macron said Trump told leaders that although NATO would not be involved in these guarantees, other nations—including the U.S.—should participate. However, Trump did not mention any such pledges publicly. Mixed Feelings Among Ukrainians Back in Ukraine, reactions to the upcoming summit were cautious at best. Oleksandra Kozlova, a 39-year-old from Kyiv, said many Ukrainians have grown disillusioned after years of broken promises and failed negotiations. “I don’t think this round will change much,” she said. Anton Vyshniak, a car dealer, echoed those sentiments, suggesting that protecting Ukrainian soldiers should now be the priority—even if it means giving up some territory. “Human lives are more valuable than borders,” he said. Ongoing Conflict and Prisoner Swap Meanwhile, Zelenskyy announced that 84 Ukrainians—both civilians and soldiers—were freed from Russian captivity, some having been held since as early as 2014. Russia confirmed it had also received 84 prisoners in return. On the battlefield, the violence continued. Russian missile strikes in Ukraine’s Sumy region injured several people, including a 7-year-old girl. In southern Russia, a Ukrainian drone hit apartment buildings in Rostov-on-Don, wounding 13 civilians—two of them critically.

Twenty years after Israel's landmark pullout from the Gaza Strip, the country finds itself deeply reengaged there due to a nearly two-year war with Hamas that has devastated the territory. Despite the 2005 withdrawal, which involved dismantling 21 Jewish settlements and removing Israeli troops, ongoing conflict ensures a continued military presence for the foreseeable future. The disengagement, which also involved evacuating four settlements in the West Bank, was then-Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's bold and divisive initiative meant to reignite peace talks with the Palestinians. Instead, it fractured Israeli society and indirectly strengthened Hamas—a ripple effect that persists today. 184 Palestinian journalists killed in Gaza war faced hunger and hardship The emotional scenes of Israeli soldiers forcibly evacuating Jewish settlers ignited a backlash that fueled the growth of right-wing and settler movements. That momentum partly paved the way for the political rise of far-right figures like National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich. Just this week, Smotrich touted a new settlement plan near Jerusalem designed to undermine any future Palestinian state. For Palestinians, the pullout changed little in terms of day-to-day control. Despite hopes, Israel and Egypt quickly imposed a blockade, limiting movement and goods, which led to worsening conditions and a growing divide between Gaza and the West Bank. Hamas, after winning 2006 elections and ousting the Palestinian Authority in Gaza, further consolidated power. Military analyst Kobi Michael explains the withdrawal was driven by the unsustainable cost of protecting 8,000 settlers in Gaza, surrounded by 1.5 million Palestinians. In contrast, West Bank settlements—now home to over 500,000 Israelis—are more entrenched and socially supported. However, the unilateral nature of the Gaza exit, done without coordination with the Palestinian Authority, gave Hamas a propaganda victory that helped win elections and justify continued armed resistance. The withdrawal also left deep psychological scars in Israel, especially the footage of settler resistance and forced removals. Michael believes no future Israeli government will repeat such a move, complicating any progress toward a two-state solution. A Settler’s Perspective Anita Tucker, now 79, was among the first settlers in Gaza in the 1970s. She describes a once-thriving, peaceful community built amid sand dunes, where even relations with Palestinian neighbors were initially cordial. But she vividly recalls the 2005 evacuation, when hundreds of soldiers came to remove around 400 residents. Some neighbors burned their homes in protest. She believes the withdrawal worsened life for both Palestinians and Israelis, citing years of rocket fire and the deadly Hamas attack on October 7, 2023. Despite everything, her family remains emotionally tied to their former home, with some of her grandchildren even fighting near it during the current war. She says they’re still willing to return and rebuild. Palestinian Views: Nothing Really Changed Many Palestinians felt that the 2005 withdrawal left them in an "open-air prison." While Hamas governed inside, Israel maintained control over borders, airspace, and resources. For many, Sharon's move was seen not as a step toward peace, but as a way to consolidate control over the West Bank. Today, after nearly two years of war, Israel occupies over 75% of Gaza. Prime Minister Netanyahu has made it clear that long-term security control is part of the plan. This leaves many Palestinians, like 67-year-old Sabah Abu Audeh, fearing a return to full occupation. Others, like Aouni Timras from Nuseirat camp, feel crushed by dashed hopes and constant conflict. Palestinian analyst Amjad Shawa argues that Israel is now reoccupying Gaza through military zones meant to make life unbearable and drive Palestinians out. Writer Mostafa Ibrahim, whose home was destroyed in the war, agrees that this renewed presence is part of Israel’s strategy to block the formation of a Palestinian state. Unfulfilled Potential and Strategic Missteps Retired Israeli Maj. Gen. Dan Harel, who oversaw the 2005 evacuation, believes the withdrawal was strategically necessary due to constant attacks on settlers. But he regrets that Israel didn’t use the moment to negotiate terms or seek concessions from the Palestinians. He also criticizes Israel’s “containment” approach to Hamas post-withdrawal, which allowed the group to evolve into a sophisticated military force. According to Harel, Israel failed to recognize how dangerous Hamas had become. While he doesn’t blame the disengagement itself for the devastating Oct. 7 attacks, Harel argues the real failure was what Israel failed to do in the nearly two decades that followed.        

President Donald Trump 's face-to-face high-stakes summit with President Vladimir Putin in Alaska on Friday could determine the fate of European security as well as the trajectory of the war in Ukraine. The exclusion of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy already deals a heavy blow to the West’s policy of “nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine.” Washington, D.C.'s police department now potentially in open conflict with federal forces over the terms of Trump’s takeover of security in the nation's capital, with the DEA administrator now named “emergency police chief,” a declaration that city leaders say has no basis in law. The attorney general's declaration came after a dispute over how much help police would provide in arresting immigrants.

The Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) will proceed with screening a documentary on the 2023 Hamas attack after reversing its earlier decision to withdraw the film, following public backlash. Earlier this week, TIFF pulled “The Road Between Us: The Ultimate Rescue” from its lineup, citing legal clearance issues over some footage, including Hamas militants’ own livestreams of the attack. On Thursday, TIFF chief executive Cameron Bailey and filmmaker Barry Avrich released a joint statement confirming the film’s reinstatement. “Both TIFF and the filmmakers have heard the pain and frustration expressed by the public and we want to address this together,” they said. “We have worked together to find a resolution to satisfy important safety, legal, and programming concerns.” Aid Organizations Urge Israel to Stop ‘Politicizing’ Humanitarian Assistance in Gaza They also acknowledged that TIFF’s communication about its requirements “did not clearly articulate the concerns and roadblocks that arose,” and apologized. The documentary follows retired Israeli Gen. Noam Tibon’s mission to rescue his family and others during the Oct. 7, 2023 attack — a story previously featured on “60 Minutes.” After the film was initially dropped, its creators accused TIFF of self-censorship. Bailey denied this and stressed the need for sensitivity given the ongoing suffering in Gaza and rising antisemitism and Islamophobia. TIFF, North America’s largest film festival, runs from Sept. 4–14.   Souce: Agency

European leaders have praised President Donald Trump for agreeing to allow U.S. military support for a force they are mustering to police any future peace in Ukraine — a move that vastly improves the chances of success for an operation that could prove essential for the country's security. The leaders said Trump offered American military backup for the European “reassurance force” during a call they held with him ahead of his planned summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday. They did not say what the assistance might involve, and Trump himself has not publicly confirmed any support. The effectiveness of the operation, drawn up by the coalition of about 30 countries supporting Ukraine, hinges on the deterrent effect of U.S. airpower or other military equipment that European armed forces do not have, or have only in short supply. No U.S. troops would be involved, but the threat of American airpower, if needed, behind the European force would likely help to dissuade Russian troops from testing Europe's resolve. Senior Russian officials have repeatedly rejected the idea of European peacekeepers in Ukraine, even though a traditional U.N.-style peacekeeping force is not being planned. EU leaders have regularly underlined how the United States is “crucial” to the success of the security operation dubbed Multinational Force Ukraine. But the Trump administration has long refused to commit, perhaps keeping its participation on hold as leverage in talks with Russia. After a meeting Wednesday between Trump and European leaders, European Council President Antonio Costa welcomed “the readiness of the United States to share with Europe the efforts to reinforce security conditions once we obtain a durable and just peace for Ukraine.” French President Emmanuel Macron said Trump insisted that NATO cannot be part of such security guarantees, but he said the U.S. leader agreed that “the United States and all the (other) parties involved should take part.” “It’s a very important clarification,” Macron said. No details of possible U.S. support were made public. U.S. Vice President JD Vance sat in on the coalition meeting for the first time. Multinational Force Ukraine More than 200 military planners have worked for months on ways to ensure a future peace should the war, now in its fourth year, finally end. Ukraine’s armed forces also have been involved, and British personnel have led reconnaissance work inside Ukraine. The exact size of the force has not been made public, although Britain has said it could number 10,000 to 30,000 troops. It must be enough to deter Russian forces, but also of a realistic size for nations that shrank their militaries after the Cold War and are now rearming. The mission “will be to strengthen Ukraine’s defenses on the land, at sea and in the air because the Ukrainian Armed Forces are the best deterrent against future Russian aggression,” U.K. Defense Secretary John Healey told lawmakers last month. Western trainers will work with Ukrainian troops. “It will secure Ukraine’s skies by using aircraft,” Healey said, “and it will support safer seas by bolstering the Black Sea Task Force with additional specialist teams.” Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey launched that naval force a year ago to deal with mines in Black Sea waters. The force initially will have its headquarters in Paris before moving to London next year. A coordination headquarters in Kyiv will be involved once hostilities cease and it deploys. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov recently said peacekeepers in Ukraine would be just as “unacceptable” for Moscow as Ukraine’s membership in NATO. “The appearance of troops, armed forces from the same NATO countries, but under a foreign flag, under the flag of the European Union or national flags, does not change anything in this regard. This is, of course, unacceptable to us,” Lavrov said. The impact of US participation European efforts to set up the force have been seen as a first test of the continent’s willingness to defend itself and its interests, given Trump administration warnings that Europe must take care of its own security and that of Ukraine in future. Still, U.S. forces clearly provide a deterrent that the Europeans cannot muster. Details of what the U.S. might contribute were unknown, and Trump has changed his mind in the past, so it remains to be seen whether this signal will be enough to persuade more countries in the coalition to provide troops. Greece has publicly rejected doing so. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said last month that those discussions were “somewhat divisive” and distracted from the goal of ending the war as soon as possible. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has said Rome will not contribute troops, but she previously has underlined the importance of working with the U.S. on ending the conflict and called for the participation of an American delegation in force coordination meetings. NATO membership would be Ukraine's best security guarantee, but the Trump administration took that possibility off the table in February. Putin is deeply opposed to Ukraine joining the world's biggest military alliance, and some allies fear it might drag NATO into a broader war with nuclear-armed Russia.

Over 100 aid organizations have jointly called on Israel to halt what they describe as the “weaponization” of humanitarian aid in Gaza and the occupied West Bank. They warn that new Israeli regulations will obstruct critical relief efforts and replace independent humanitarian groups with those aligned with Israeli political and military interests — an accusation Israel has denied. Meanwhile, hospital reports on Thursday revealed more civilian deaths from Israeli airstrikes and rising fatalities linked to malnutrition. The deepening humanitarian crisis and restrictions on aid delivery have contributed to growing international momentum for recognizing Palestinian statehood. On the same day, Israel moved forward with plans to expand settlements in a sensitive part of the occupied West Bank, with a far-right minister saying the aim was to “bury the idea of a Palestinian state.” Aid Groups Condemn New Restrictions Organizations such as Oxfam, Doctors Without Borders, and CARE issued a strong statement opposing Israeli registration rules introduced in March. The rules require aid groups to submit detailed information about their donors and Palestinian staff for vetting — something they argue puts staff at risk and provides Israel broad authority to block assistance from groups it deems politically unfavorable. According to the organizations, many have been unable to deliver even a single truckload of aid since the tightened blockade in March. Their support is meant to complement efforts by the UN, foreign government airdrops, and the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation — a new contractor backed by Israel and the U.S. that has taken the lead in aid distribution since May. However, the total amount of aid reaching Gaza still falls well short of previous levels delivered by UN agencies and humanitarian groups. While some aid efforts have resumed, the number of trucks allowed in remains far below the needs of the population, according to the UN and NGOs. COGAT, the Israeli military agency overseeing aid to Gaza, denied the allegations. In a statement, it said delays only occur when groups “refuse to comply with basic security checks designed to prevent Hamas involvement.” Israel has also insisted on providing military escorts for aid convoys — a demand largely rejected by UN agencies due to concerns over neutrality. This has led to competing narratives: Israel says it allows aid under strict rules, while humanitarian organizations report critical supplies are stuck at border crossings. UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff met with UN officials to discuss urgently scaling up humanitarian access to Gaza. Death Toll from Airstrikes and Starvation Continues to Climb Israeli airstrikes on Thursday hit Gaza City, which Israel recently labeled a Hamas stronghold. Shifa Hospital reported one death and three injuries from one strike, while Al-Ahli Hospital said five more were killed in a separate attack. These latest casualties add to the heavy toll since the conflict began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas-led militants attacked Israel, killing around 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages. Israel’s retaliatory campaign has killed over 61,700 Palestinians, according to the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry, which notes that around half of the victims were women and children. The ministry, though part of the Hamas government, is staffed by medical professionals and is widely considered a reliable source for casualty figures. Israel disputes the numbers but has not released an alternative count. On Thursday, the ministry also confirmed four new malnutrition-related deaths, bringing the total to 239, including 106 children. Controversial Settlement Expansion Threatens Two-State Prospects In a separate development, Israel’s far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich announced plans to expand settlements in the occupied West Bank. The construction of 3,500 new housing units in the E1 area near Jerusalem is seen as a direct threat to the possibility of a contiguous Palestinian state. Smotrich declared the move would “bury the idea of a Palestinian state,” adding that any international recognition of Palestine would be met with “answers on the ground.” Though the E1 settlement project has been stalled for decades under international pressure, it is now expected to gain final approval next week. Rights organizations quickly condemned the decision. Peace Now warned it would be “devastating for both Israel’s future and any hope of a peaceful two-state solution.” Italy Evacuates More Wounded Palestinians As global concern over Gaza's humanitarian crisis grows, Italy on Wednesday evacuated 114 more Palestinians from the region, including 31 children in urgent need of medical care. Italy’s foreign ministry said the children were suffering from severe injuries, amputations, or life-threatening congenital conditions. The country has now evacuated over 900 Palestinians, many through a family reunification program.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on Wednesday called on Israel and Kurdish forces to halt actions that threaten Syria’s security and stability. Speaking at a joint press conference in Ankara with Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani, Fidan accused Israel and the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) of undermining Damascus’ recovery efforts after more than a decade of civil war. He warned that Israel’s security “cannot be achieved by destabilizing neighbors” and urged both sides to avoid triggering fresh regional crises. Tensions remain high in Syria following deadly clashes in Sweida and stalled efforts to merge the SDF into the new Syrian army. The Syrian government also denounced a recent SDF-hosted conference in Hassakeh that called for decentralization, alleging secessionist motives and pulling out of planned Paris talks. Turkey sends firefighting planes to Syria as raging wildfires devastate border regions Fidan accused the SDF of exploiting instability for political gain and cautioned the YPG — the SDF’s main faction — against “playing for time.” Al-Shibani echoed his concerns, accusing Israel of seeking Syria’s disintegration along ethnic and ideological lines.   Source: Agency

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived in Berlin on Wednesday to meet German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and other European and U.S. leaders ahead of a planned Trump-Putin summit later this week, the German government said. Merz has arranged a series of virtual meetings on Wednesday to ensure European and Ukrainian perspectives are heard before the Alaska summit, where President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin are expected to discuss potential paths toward ending Moscow’s war in Ukraine. Zelenskyy and European leaders are not formally invited to the summit. Zelenskyy is scheduled to meet European leaders first, followed by a virtual call with Trump and Vice President JD Vance. Later, leaders of the “coalition of the willing,” those ready to help enforce any future peace deal, are expected to hold discussions. Zelenskyy to visit Berlin ahead of Trump-Putin summit During his last visit to Berlin in May, Merz pledged assistance to help Ukraine develop long-range missile systems free from Western-imposed limits. On Wednesday, Zelenskyy said his government has held over 30 consultations with partners ahead of the summit but expressed doubt that Putin would negotiate in good faith. Writing on his official Telegram channel, Zelenskyy said there were “currently no signs that the Russians are preparing to end the war” and called on U.S. and European partners to coordinate efforts and “force Russia to peace.” Trump has described Friday’s summit as a “feel-out meeting” to assess Putin’s intentions but has suggested Ukraine might have to cede some Russian-held territory, raising European concerns. Kyiv has firmly rejected any territorial concessions, labeling them unconstitutional and warning they could invite future Russian aggression.   On the ground, Russian forces are advancing around Pokrovsk in eastern Donbas, threatening Ukrainian supply lines, while Ukrainian drones struck an oil pumping station in Russia’s Bryansk region overnight, causing significant damage and a large fire. Ukrainian officials said the operation targeted pipelines supplying the Russian army and was carried out by Ukraine’s Unmanned Systems Forces and military intelligence.   Source: Agency