Diplomatic pressure intensified as Germany set an end-of-day deadline for Putin to accept a 30-day ceasefire. China voiced support for the proposal, while EU foreign ministers met in London to coordinate Ukraine support and new sanctions. Despite Putin's previous announcements, reports indicated fighting never paused along the front line, with 133 clashes recorded by day's end.

By afternoon, Trump declared Thursday's Russia-Ukraine meeting "very important" and considered attending personally—a move Zelensky called "the right idea." Zelensky later discussed meeting details with Erdogan, while noting Moscow's continued silence regarding the Istanbul talks.

On the ground, Russian drones struck an energy company vehicle in Sumy region, killing one worker and wounding three others. Combat remained heaviest in the Pokrovsk sector, where Ukrainian forces repelled 50 Russian assaults amid continued fighting despite diplomatic initiatives.