Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Sunday the Russian army was attempting to “intensify” attacks on the front, but that Ukraine had inflicted heavy losses. “This week, we have observed attempts by the Russians to intensify their offensive efforts, taking advantage of more favourable weather conditions,” Zelenskyy said on social media after a meeting with Ukrainian army commander-in-chief Oleksandr Syrsky. But “the only tangible outcome for the Russian army has been an increase in their losses,” Zelenskyy said. Earlier on Sunday, the Russian defence ministry claimed its forces had taken control of Potapivka, a small village near the Russian border in Ukraine’s northern Sumy region.

Ukrainian and US delegations concluded a second day of talks in Florida on finding ways to end the four-year war with Russia. Russian representatives were not present at the talks, which opened in Florida on Saturday. They were originally expected to attend the negotiations, which were due to take place in Abu Dhabi.

Zelenskyy voiced hope on Sunday that the United States would keep up efforts to end the Russian invasion despite the US focus on attacking Iran, after envoys met in Florida. Steve Witkoff, Trump’s negotiator, reported unspecified progress during the two days of discussions, which came after the United States relaxed sanctions on Russian oil. “It’s clear that the primary focus of the American side at this time is the situation around Iran and in that region, but this war that Russia is waging against Ukraine must also be brought to an end,” Zelenskyy said in an evening address.

Zelenskyy has said he has a “very bad feeling” about the impact of the war in the Middle East on the efforts to end the conflict in Ukraine and on defending his country while it remains ongoing. The Ukrainian president also addressed the strain on the special relationship between the UK and US amid the Iran war, saying the history between the two nations is “stronger than the emotions of two or three people”. He highlighted that Russian president Vladimir Putin “will want a long war” in the Middle East as it helps weaken Ukraine.