Continued Russian Attacks on Kyiv Ahead of Peace Talks
Russia has intensified its assaults on Ukraine, particularly striking Kyiv just before scheduled peace discussions with the United States.
In the early hours of Saturday, a barrage of ballistic missiles and drones resulted in several explosions throughout Kyiv, leading to at least one fatality and injuring around 27 people, according to local authorities.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is getting ready to meet with President Donald Trump in Palm Beach, Florida, on Sunday. They plan to discuss a potential peace agreement aimed at ending the ongoing conflict.
Zelensky communicated to the press that he was en route to Florida, with a brief stop in Canada planned to meet Prime Minister Mark Carney.
In November, the Trump administration put together a 28-point peace proposal, which Trump mentioned could be subjected to negotiations. They are expected to cover issues like security assurances for Ukraine from the U.S. and its allies, in case of further Russian aggression, as well as territorial debates concerning Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia. Russia is pushing for control over the Donbas region as well.
According to the Russian Defense Ministry, a significant strike was carried out overnight using various precision-guided weapons, including long-range missiles and drones, as a counteraction to Ukraine’s alleged strikes on civilian targets in Russia.
Zelensky reported on social media that nearly 500 drones had been deployed by Russia, comprising many “shaheds,” which are Iranian-made combat aerial vehicles. He noted that there were also 40 missiles launched, including Kinzhals, capable of reaching speeds around Mach 10, with options for either conventional or nuclear warheads.
“Unfortunately, there have been direct hits resulting in damage to residential buildings,” Zelensky stated. “Rescue teams are searching for individuals under the debris. Electricity and heating services are out in some areas of the city and beyond. Firefighting efforts are ongoing, and repairs are underway at some energy facilities, while others are currently on lockdown.”
The Ukrainian president questioned, “Where is Russia’s reaction to the peace proposals made by the U.S. and the global community? They engage in lengthy discussions but continue to rely on Kinzhals and shaheds to express their true intentions. Putin and his circle appear uninterested in ending the war, instead seeking to inflict further pain on Ukraine.”
Later on Saturday, Zelensky elaborated on the objectives for his impending summit with Trump, highlighting what he sees as the contrasting goals between Ukraine and Russia.
“Ukraine has backed President Trump’s call for a ceasefire,” he emphasized.
“For us, the top priority is terminating the conflict. What we aim for is peace. To negotiate effectively, we require robust support from the international community, notably from Europe and the United States,” he added.
Zelensky cautioned that Russia “will not be satisfied with just Ukraine,” suggesting that the implications of the ongoing war extend to “all nations across the globe.”
