President Donald Trump’s peace ultimatum to Russia has added fresh urgency to the war in Ukraine, he warned Moscow to accept a peace deal within 50 days or face harsh sanctions targeting its energy exports. While this gives the Kremlin more time to push forward its summer offensive, Ukraine continues to hold ground against mounting odds.
Russia demands Ukraine withdraw from the four partially occupied annexed regions, renounce its NATO bid, and accept military limits — all of which Kyiv and its allies reject. As Ukrainian troops stretch thin, Western support, particularly from NATO allies, remains crucial to halting Russia's slow but steady advance.
Russian troops have accelerated land grabs since spring they captured more territory in eastern Ukraine than at any point since the early 2022 invasion. Their primary targets are Pokrovsk and Kostyantynivka in Donetsk. Russian forces aim to isolate these cities, threaten Slovyansk and Kramatorsk next, and eventually seize the entire Donetsk region.
A successful push beyond that could place Dnipro — a key industrial center — in Russia’s sights this would likely shake Ukrainian morale and give Moscow stronger leverage at the negotiating table. Still, Russian troops face fierce resistance and struggle to make swift gains.
Russia holds parts of Luhansk but has shown less urgency in taking the remaining territory in Kherson and Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine maintains control over significant portions. A renewed Russian push across the Dnieper River into Kherson seems unlikely given the logistical challenge. Likewise, fully capturing Zaporizhzhia appears out of reach.
In the northeast, Russian troops crossed into Sumy after retaking parts of Kursk, which Ukraine briefly seized in a surprise 2024 move. Now, Moscow holds several villages and seeks a buffer to protect its own territory. Though Putin denies wanting to take Sumy city, military analysts doubt Russia has the strength to capture it anyway.
In Kharkiv, Russia’s offensive has also stalled some believe Moscow may use its minor gains in Sumy and Kharkiv to negotiate a trade for Ukrainian-held parts of Donetsk.
Ukraine’s forces remain determined but stretched they now focus on defending, not counterattacking. Russia appears to have embraced a strategy of attrition — wearing down Ukraine with continuous pressure and slow advances.
Drones now dominate the battlefield. Both sides use them to locate, monitor, and strike enemy positions with extreme precision. Russian analysts admit Ukraine’s drone use limits Moscow’s chances for quick territorial success.
Ukrainian soldiers on the front express frustration over delays in US military aid they are forced to ration ammunition as Russia escalates attacks. Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that the US will sell weapons to NATO countries for direct transfer to Ukraine. Patriot air defense systems top the list.
European nations will now play a vital role analysts believe NATO allies can supply Ukraine’s short-term military needs, provided they continue purchasing critical arms from the US.
Russia’s summer offensive, though aggressive, remains slow and costly, Ukraine, lacking manpower and ammunition, leans on Western allies to hold the line. Trump's 50-day ultimatum may reshape battlefield decisions, but experts say Russia is unlikely to force Ukraine into submission anytime soon.
