"At its core, (the war) is about 11% of one part of that country that Russia wants and cannot take militarily and that Ukraine is unwilling to give up," Rubio said.
Oleshky had a pre-war population of 24,000 people and is now home to around 1,700 residents, including 47 children, according to the United Nations Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine.
Zelensky also said that Ukraine, the US, and Russia could meet during a G20 summit in the US, but Washington and Moscow have not confirmed the meeting, and other venues are also possible.
Ukraine's General Staff said on Saturday that Ukrainian forces remained in control of the eastern town of Dobropillia, describing Russia's claim to have captured it as untrue.
Russia and the United States will soon announce new joint initiatives beyond a recently agreed diesel deal, President Vladimir Putin's investment envoy Kirill Dmitriev said on Friday.
According to Ukrainian media reports, Israel is examining samples of Russian attack drones provided by Ukraine, including newer models from the Geran family, which are based on Shahed drones.
Since US President Donald Trump's surprise announcement of an energy ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine on Sunday, Kyiv had refrained from attacking Russian refineries.
Ukraine's defense ministry said it would continue to seek clarification on the reasons for Wednesday's disruption of the military-grade version of SpaceX's internet service.
Ukrainian negotiators traveled to the US on Friday and Saturday in an effort to urge US President Donald Trump to increase sanction pressure on Russia.
Zelensky later reiterated Ukraine's support for de-escalation, emphasizing that "it is important that Russia support it as well."
“They agreed. You know why? Because I said, ‘You agree’ - that’s why,” Trump responded. “They agreed because I said they agreed, and that thing has to get settled.”
