"Zelenskyy's Optimism Soars as Jeddah Meeting Sets Stage for Peace Summit"

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed hope for a "peace summit" to be held this autumn, with talks in Saudi Arabia serving as a stepping stone. The summit aims to garner support for a settlement to end the war in Ukraine, focusing on principles such as territorial integrity, withdrawal of Russian troops, and prisoner release. Russian forces remain entrenched in heavily mined areas, hindering Ukrainian advances, while Russian accounts report repelling Ukrainian attacks and damaging grain infrastructure. Ukrainian forces continue their drive to retake occupied areas, with recent progress near Bakhmut. Russian forces have prepared extensive defences and minefields, slowing down the advances.