Russia’s troops are continuing their slow war of attrition in eastern and northern Ukraine, even as the conflict enters a pivotal phase with a series of high-level meetings that are part of U.S. President Donald Trump's push for peace.

Territorial questions are certain to be a key area of focus when Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and European leaders meet U.S. President Donald Trump for talks on Monday to map out a possible peace deal to end Russia's war in Ukraine.

Much of the talk between President Trump and his Ukrainian counterpart, Volodymyr Zelensky, today will center on whether Ukraine is willing to give up land to end the war with Russia. Russian President Vladimir Putin has long sought to control the four Ukrainian regions of Luhansk,

President Trump has abandoned a push for a cease-fire, arguing instead for a full peace agreement, a position held by Russian President Vladimir Putin.

President Donald Trump on Sunday teased what he said would be a "big day" as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy prepares for a White House meeting.

Ukraine’s Donbas, consisting of Donetsk and Luhansk, is at the heart of Moscow’s goals. An industrial powerhouse in the Soviet era, it also has rich farmland, important rivers and a coastline on the Sea of Azov.

The proposal to end the war in Ukraine that emerged from the summit in Alaska between Trump and Putin centers on persuading Ukraine to give up the Donbas, the industrial region in the east.