The Russian army continues to advance in eastern Ukraine and reports of the imminent resumption of negotiations, and Johnson warns of "a tenuous peace"

Kyiv continues its efforts to obtain weapons from the West, amid optimism for the resumption of negotiations with Moscow, while the Russian army continues to strike the Ukrainian military infrastructure, intensifying its bombing of the cities of Donetsk and Severodonetsk.

Politico website quoted a US military official as saying that the Pentagon is still studying all options to support Ukraine militarily, and that the decision to send 4 missile launchers is not final yet.

The military official added that US contributions to Ukraine's support are being made in consultation with allies and partners, and that the decision will be based on Ukraine's immediate needs.

Ukraine's chief negotiator David Arakhamia told Politico that Kyiv needs to be able to destroy Russian air defense systems from hundreds of miles away, so that Ukrainian forces can use drones and other weapons without fear of shooting them down.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said - after returning yesterday from an unannounced visit to Kiev - that the West should support the Ukrainians in their ambition to restore all the lands occupied by Russia since it declared war on Ukraine last February.

He added, "It will be a disaster if Putin wins this war," stressing the need to ensure that Kyiv is not encouraged to accept a meager peace, as he put it.

On the other hand, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said that it is absolutely necessary to talk to Russian President Vladimir Putin, and that he will continue to do so.

He added that the goal is "for Ukraine to be a democratic, sovereign and independent", noting that arms shipments to Kiev will arrive on time to make a "real difference" in the Donbass region (south of the country).

political efforts

Diplomatically, Arakhamia said that negotiations between Moscow and Kiev may resume in late August in Turkey with the participation of the United Nations.

The chief Ukrainian negotiator added that the minimum acceptable to any agreement with the Russians is their expulsion or their voluntary withdrawal to where they were before February 24, as he put it.

He pointed out that it makes no sense to hold negotiations on the transit of ships from Ukrainian ports unless Russian ships move away from Crimea and Sevastopol.

For his part, the head of the Russian delegation to negotiations with Ukraine, Vladimir Medinsky, reiterated his country's position that the Crimea and the Donbas region are not a focus of discussion during the negotiations with Ukraine.

Medinsky stressed in press statements that Crimea is part of Russia and is enshrined in the constitution.

Medinsky added that Russia's will and position on Donbass have also not changed and that the people of the region want to determine their own destiny.

Bombing and battles

On the ground, the Russian army continues to strike the Ukrainian military infrastructure in various parts of the country, especially on the southern and eastern axes.

The governor of Ukraine's Lugansk province, Sergey Gaidai, said that Russia has begun sending a large number of reserve forces to Severodonetsk from other combat zones, in an attempt to fully control the city on the front line in the east of the country and the last important stronghold of the Ukrainian army in Lugansk.

Gaidai told Ukrainian television that Russian forces had already taken control of most, but not all, of the city.

In turn, the adviser to the Ukrainian Defense Minister told Al-Jazeera that Russia has made few gains recently, but it has not achieved any of its goals, adding, "The support of our partners must continue until we defeat the aggressors."

As for the governor of the Kharkiv region, Oleh Sinihopov, said that several Russian missiles hit a gas factory in the Izyum region, causing a huge fire, explaining that some buildings were damaged.

The Ukrainian Southern Operations Command said that 6 Russian missiles targeted the city of Mykolaiv in the south of the country on Saturday evening, two of which were shot down, while the other four missiles exploded in more than one location in the city.

And the Ukrainian Armed Forces announced that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky discussed with the regional command of Mykolaiv - during a visit to the city - the important issues experienced by the southern fronts.

This is Zelensky's third visit outside Kyiv since the beginning of the war, after visiting the cities of Kharkiv and Zaporozhye.

Donetsk Mayor Alexei Kolymzin said that the bombing of the city yesterday led to the death of employees of the emergency service.

Al-Jazeera correspondent confirmed that the bombing in Donetsk targeted several residential and official buildings, and led to the suspension of transportation services and cutting off water for thousands of residents.