Zelensky: Russia is amassing 100,000 soldiers near Pokrovsk amid rising tensions in eastern Ukraine

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced today, Friday, that Russian forces have gathered around 100,000 soldiers near the strategic city of Pokrovsk in the east of the country, at a time when the Ukrainian issue is experiencing a stalemate in international efforts to end the war.

Zelensky described the situation in Pokrovsk as "the most concerning," noting that Russian forces are preparing for offensive operations, while Ukrainian forces continue to repel attempts at Russian incursions in the northeastern border area of Sumy.

Pokrovsk, which had a population of about 60,000 before the war, is an important logistical center for Ukrainian forces and is located at a crossroads of vital routes in the region. Russian forces are approaching the city from three directions, with less than five kilometers separating them from it.

Zelensky had warned last week of similar Russian movements in the occupied part of the Zaporizhia region in the south of the country, indicating preparations for a new attack.

Although the Russian army controls about 20% of Ukrainian territory, its advance in the east has remained slow for more than two years, before witnessing a acceleration in recent weeks.

In contrast, former U.S. President Donald Trump called for an end to the war "as soon as possible," urging Moscow and Kyiv to cease hostilities, but the differing positions between the two sides continue to hinder any progress towards a political settlement.

Ukraine and its European allies accuse Russian President Vladimir Putin of stalling negotiations in order to continue military operations and expand control over the fronts.