Russia Intensifies Airstrikes on Ukraine as Zelensky, Trump Envoys Advance Peace Talks

Russia Intensifies Airstrikes on Ukraine as Zelensky, Trump Envoys Advance Peace Talks

Russia has intensified its overnight aerial attacks on Ukraine, striking multiple regions just hours after President Volodymyr Zelensky described his discussions with Donald Trump’s negotiating team as “very constructive.” The renewed assaults come amid a fresh push for a US-led peace framework aimed at ending the nearly three-year-old war.

The mayor of Kremenchuk, a key industrial city in central Ukraine, confirmed the area suffered a “massive combined strike”, damaging critical infrastructure and leaving residents without water, electricity, and heat. No fatalities have been reported so far.

Russia’s defence ministry claimed it intercepted 77 Ukrainian drones across several locations during the same period, underscoring the ongoing intensity of the conflict despite diplomatic efforts.

Zelensky said he is “determined” to continue working closely with the US after three days of detailed negotiations in Miami involving Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff and the former US president’s son-in-law Jared Kushner. Talks focused heavily on ensuring Russia’s compliance with any future peace agreement.

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The US has been mediating a multi-point peace plan, though progress remains limited as Kyiv, Moscow, and European allies differ on key proposals. European leaders have pushed for additional security guarantees for Ukraine, including the possibility of a multinational peacekeeping force, an idea Russia has rejected.

French President Emmanuel Macron, UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, and Zelensky are set to meet in London on Monday to coordinate Europe’s position on the evolving peace framework. Macron reiterated France’s commitment to achieving de-escalation and a ceasefire.

Meanwhile, the US and Ukraine have jointly urged Moscow to demonstrate “a serious commitment to long-term peace.” The appeal came after Witkoff returned from Kremlin talks with Vladimir Putin, which ended without a breakthrough.

Ukraine’s new chief negotiator Rustem Umerov said he and Witkoff have “agreed on the framework of security arrangements” and discussed deterrence measures needed to secure a durable peace.

The latest wave of Russian airstrikes — following a wider barrage a day earlier condemned by European leaders — underscores the gulf between diplomatic negotiations and realities on the ground as the war grinds on.

Russia Intensifies Airstrikes on Ukraine as Zelensky, Trump Envoys Advance Peace Talks

 

BBC