Russia hopes that the upcoming meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump could help normalise bilateral relations.
According to Russian Deputy Foreign Minister, Sergei Ryabkov, the Alaska summit could also help advance the resolution of specific issues, including the resumption of direct passenger flights between the two countries.
“We hope that the forthcoming high-level meeting will give an impulse to the normalisation of bilateral relations, which will allow us to move forward on such issues as restoring air links,” Ryabkov said.
Earlier on Monday, Trump said that his upcoming meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday would be a “feel-out meeting.”
Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov called the choice of venue “logical,” noting that the region is where the economic interests of both countries intersect.
Ukraine rejects reports of Russian front-line breakthrough
Ukrainian military has rejected reports of a Russian front-line breakthrough near the eastern cities of Pokrovsk and Dobropillia, where Kyiv’s forces are battling to prevent encirclement.
“An infiltration by (Russian) groups does not yet mean ‘taking control of territory, the ground forces group Dnipro, which is responsible for the sector,” said on Telegram late Monday.
“Of course, the situation is and remains difficult, and the fighting in this region is the most intense compared to other sections of the front line,” it continued.
Earlier, Ukrainian military observers had reported a Russian advance of more than 10 kilometres north-east of the city of Pokrovsk, in the Donetsk region.
Several official military reports have also spoken of small groups of Russian soldiers pushing into Pokrovsk itself.
The urban agglomeration of Pokrovsk and Myrnohrad is surrounded by Russian troops on three sides.
“Only a corridor about 15 kilometres wide remains open as a Ukrainian supply line.”
Due to a shortage of soldiers caused by recruitment problems and desertion, Ukrainian analysts are increasingly speculating about a collapse of the front in eastern Ukraine.
Ukraine has been defending itself against a Russian invasion for more than three years.