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Russian and Ukrainian forces exchanged heavy strikes Saturday as diplomatic talks aimed at ending the war are set to resume in Berlin, with representatives from the Trump administration expected to participate.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that he will personally meet with envoys from U.S. President Donald Trump in the coming days, including special envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner. These meetings will include European officials as discussions continue on what Zelenskyy described as “the foundation of peace.”
“The chance is considerable at this moment, and it matters for our every city, for our every Ukrainian community,” Zelenskyy said in his address to the nation. “We are working to ensure that peace for Ukraine is dignified, and to secure a guarantee — a guarantee, above all — that Russia will not return to Ukraine for a third invasion.”
The diplomatic efforts come amid intensifying military actions. Russia launched a massive assault on Ukrainian energy infrastructure overnight, with Zelenskyy reporting more than 450 drones and 30 missiles targeting five regions. The attacks left more than one million Ukrainians without electricity as temperatures hover around freezing, according to Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko.
In Odesa, the assault caused grain silos at the port to catch fire, reported Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Oleksiy Kuleba. Regional authorities confirmed two people were wounded in the broader Odesa region.
Ukrainian officials have consistently accused Russia of deliberately targeting power facilities to make civilian life unbearable during winter months – a strategy they describe as “weaponizing” the cold. This marks the fourth consecutive winter that Ukrainians have faced disruptions to heat, light, and running water due to Russian attacks.
Meanwhile, Ukraine launched its own strike on Russia’s Saratov region, killing two people and damaging a residential building, according to regional governor Roman Busargin. Windows at a kindergarten and clinic were also shattered in the attack. Russia’s Defense Ministry claimed it shot down 41 Ukrainian drones over Russian territory overnight.
On the front lines, territorial claims remain contested. Ukrainian forces stated Saturday that they maintain control of northern Pokrovsk, contradicting Russia’s recent claims of full control over the strategically important city. These competing claims could not be independently verified.
The path to peace faces significant obstacles. Kremlin foreign affairs adviser Yuri Ushakov reiterated Friday that Moscow will only agree to a ceasefire after Ukrainian forces withdraw from parts of the Donetsk region they still control – a condition Ukraine has consistently rejected. Ushakov also indicated that Russian police and national guard troops would remain in parts of eastern Ukraine’s Donbas region even under a demilitarized zone scenario.
“We don’t know what changes they are making, but clearly they aren’t for the better,” Ushakov said regarding U.S. proposals that had been modified by Ukraine and European allies. “We will strongly insist on our considerations.”
The Trump administration has been working for months to navigate the demands from both sides, with Trump reportedly growing frustrated with delays in reaching a settlement. Central to the deadlock is the question of which side will control Ukraine’s eastern Donbas region, where Russian forces currently occupy most territory.
In a separate incident highlighting regional tensions, Polish authorities evacuated approximately 480 people from a train traveling between Przemysl and Kyiv following a security threat. Polish officials have been on high alert since discovering multiple attempts to disrupt trains on the Warsaw-Ukraine line, including explosive devices placed in November, with evidence allegedly pointing to Russian involvement.
As winter deepens and the war approaches its third year, civilians continue to bear the brunt of the conflict. The latest round of attacks underscores how far apart the warring sides remain, even as diplomatic efforts intensify with the involvement of Trump’s representatives, who have made ending the conflict a priority for the incoming administration.
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10 Comments
It’s good to see the US and European officials engaging directly with President Zelenskyy. His perspective and leadership will be crucial in shaping any potential peace deal. Hopefully these talks can make real progress.
Agreed, Zelenskyy’s voice needs to be at the center of the negotiations. As the leader of Ukraine, he understands the needs and concerns of his people better than anyone.
The intensity of the military attacks is very concerning, especially with the targeting of civilian infrastructure. Maintaining access to basic services like electricity should be a top priority in the talks.
It’s good to see some diplomatic efforts underway to try and end the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Achieving a lasting peace will be challenging, but the stakes are high and any progress is welcome.
I agree, the talks in Berlin provide a potential opportunity to work towards a diplomatic resolution. However, the continued military attacks make the path forward very difficult.
It’s good to see the US and European officials engaging directly with President Zelenskyy. His perspective and leadership will be crucial in shaping any potential peace deal. Hopefully these talks can make real progress.
The attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure are very concerning, as they could have a devastating impact on the civilian population. Ensuring reliable access to electricity should be a priority in any peace negotiations.
You’re absolutely right. Protecting critical civilian infrastructure has to be a key part of any ceasefire and peace agreement. Leaving Ukrainians without power is unacceptable.
Securing a guarantee that Russia won’t invade Ukraine again will be critical. Without that, any peace deal would be on shaky ground. The diplomatic efforts seem focused on that goal, which is encouraging.
Absolutely, ensuring long-term security and stability in the region has to be a core part of the negotiations. Preventing future aggression should be a non-negotiable demand.