Russian Missile and Drone Strikes Hit Ukraine Ahead of Zelenskiy–Trump Peace Talks

Post by : Saif Nasser

Ukraine faced another wave of Russian missile and drone attacks on Saturday, just hours before President Volodymyr Zelenskiy was due to hold important discussions with U.S. President Donald Trump aimed at finding a way to end the long-running war. The attacks hit Kyiv and several other regions, keeping air defence systems active through the night and forcing civilians to seek shelter.

Explosions were heard across the Ukrainian capital as air raid sirens sounded. Ukrainian authorities said Russian drones and missiles targeted Kyiv as well as areas in the northeast and south of the country. Firefighters rushed to damaged buildings, including residential apartments, while emergency teams worked to control fires and help the injured. At least eight people were reported wounded in Kyiv alone.

The impact of the strikes was felt beyond Ukraine’s borders. Poland temporarily closed two airports in its southeast after scrambling fighter jets as a safety measure, highlighting how the conflict continues to affect the wider region. Russian officials did not immediately comment on the attacks.

These strikes came at a sensitive diplomatic moment. President Zelenskiy has said his upcoming meeting with President Trump will focus on one of the most difficult issues in the war: territory. Since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, control of land has been the biggest obstacle to peace. Zelenskiy has stated that Ukraine wants fighting to stop along the current front lines, while Russia has demanded more territory, including parts of eastern Ukraine.

According to Zelenskiy, a U.S.-backed peace plan with 20 points is close to completion. He said about 90% of the draft is ready, and discussions are now focused on final details. A separate agreement on security guarantees between Ukraine and the United States is also nearly prepared. Zelenskiy believes such guarantees are vital to prevent future attacks, especially after past promises failed to protect Ukraine.

President Trump has said the United States is leading the peace effort and that no deal would move forward without his approval. He expressed confidence that his meeting with Zelenskiy would be productive and said he also expects to speak with Russian President Vladimir Putin soon. Before the face-to-face meeting, Trump and Zelenskiy are set to hold a joint call with European leaders, including the head of the European Commission.

Other major issues remain unresolved. Control of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, Europe’s largest, is a key concern. The plant was seized by Russian forces early in the war and remains a major safety risk. There are also discussions about creating a free economic zone in parts of eastern Ukraine under a possible compromise plan, though details are still unclear.

Zelenskiy has said that if Ukraine cannot secure strong international backing on territorial issues, he may consider putting the peace plan to a national vote. However, he stressed this would only be possible if Russia agrees to a ceasefire of at least 60 days to allow the process to take place safely.

As missiles continue to fall and diplomacy intensifies, Ukraine stands at a critical moment. The coming talks could shape the future of the conflict, but for now, ordinary people continue to face the daily fear and destruction of war.