Russian Attacks in Ukraine Amid Ongoing Peace Talks
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Overnight strikes from Russian missiles and drones resulted in the death of at least one person in Ukraine, coinciding with ongoing discussions between U.S. and Ukrainian officials intended to end the conflict.
Local reports indicate that a drone strike in the Chernihiv region on Saturday night killed one man. In Kremenchuk, located in central Ukraine, both missile and drone attacks targeted infrastructure, leading to significant power and water outages. Kremenchuk is significant due to hosting the largest oil refinery in Ukraine and serving as an industrial hub.
Ukrainian and Western officials suggest that Russia aims to severely damage Ukraine’s power grid, effectively restricting civilian access to heat, light, and water for a fourth consecutive winter. This is regarded by Ukrainian authorities as a strategic use of the winter’s cold conditions as a weapon.
This attack occurred shortly after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky shared that he had a “substantive phone conversation” on Saturday night with U.S. officials currently meeting with a Ukrainian delegation in Florida. He mentioned receiving updates from both U.S. and Ukrainian representatives during the discussions.
“Ukraine remains committed to working earnestly with the U.S. for lasting peace,” President Zelensky communicated via social media.
At the Reagan Defense Forum on Saturday, Keith Kellogg, the outgoing special envoy to Ukraine under President Trump, remarked that current efforts to end the war were “in the final 10 meters.”
Kellogg highlighted that two significant issues were at the heart of the agreement: “topography, mainly Donbass,” and the status of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant.
Russia maintains control over most of the Donbass region, particularly Donetsk and neighboring Luhansk—territories it illegally annexed three years ago—and two regions in the south. The Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant has remained inactive since early in the invasion but requires stable power for cooling its six offline reactors and handling spent fuel to prevent a nuclear disaster.
Although Kellogg is expected to step down in January, he was not present at the meeting in Florida.
In other developments, it was announced that the leaders of Britain, France, and Germany will engage in discussions with President Zelensky in London on Monday.
In a separate context, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov expressed a positive reception to the Trump administration’s new national security strategy. He termed it “reassuring,” highlighting its focus on favoring dialogue and fostering constructive relationships.
A document released by the White House on Friday emphasizes the U.S. intention to improve ties with Russia after years of conflict, indicating that ending the war is a fundamental American priority in achieving “strategic stability with Russia.”
