Russia has deployed over 50,000 troops — including some of its elite units — near Ukraine’s northeastern Sumy region, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said, though he emphasized that Kyiv has taken steps to block a full-scale assault.
This military buildup suggests Moscow may be preparing for a summer offensive, as Ukraine awaits a memorandum from Russia outlining its conditions for resuming ceasefire negotiations.
Sumy lies opposite Russia’s Kursk region, where Ukrainian forces previously held territory for several months before being largely driven out last month. Zelenskiy noted Ukraine still maintains a limited presence there.
“Their most powerful units are currently stationed on the Kursk front,” Zelenskiy told reporters on Tuesday. “Their goal is to expel our forces from that area and initiate offensive operations toward the Sumy region.”
President Putin has previously stated that Russia seeks a “buffer zone” along its border with Ukraine. Zelenskiy believes this could mean Russia aims to seize a strip of Ukrainian land extending approximately 10 kilometers inward.
In recent weeks, Russian forces have captured at least four border villages in the region and have been gradually advancing along parts of the eastern front near Kostiantynivka. However, Zelenskiy reported that Ukrainian forces recently managed to push Russian troops back by 4 kilometers in that area over a two-day period.
Zelenskiy reaffirmed Ukraine’s readiness to continue peace negotiations in any format. While the next round is expected to occur at a technical level, he expressed openness to a three-way summit involving U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
He also stressed the importance of continued U.S. involvement in the peace process, warning against Washington’s potential withdrawal if talks stagnate.
Potential Negotiation Venues
After a recent prisoner exchange — with each side releasing 1,000 captives following a meeting in Istanbul — hopes for a ceasefire remain unfulfilled. Zelenskiy identified Turkey, the Vatican, and Switzerland as the most viable venues for further talks, with Malta and several unnamed African nations also expressing interest.
However, Zelenskiy dismissed Russia’s suggestion to hold negotiations in Belarus, citing its role as a staging ground for Russia’s 2022 invasion, and called the idea unserious.
Looking ahead, he confirmed his participation in the upcoming G7 summit, following an invitation from Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, whose country currently holds the rotating G7 presidency. Zelenskiy also expects to attend the next European Union summit.
On Ukraine’s defense industry, Zelenskiy said the country needs $30 billion this year to fully support the capabilities of its rapidly growing domestic arms sector.
