Ukrainian negotiators are set to meet with U.S. officials on Sunday to discuss Washington’s proposal aimed at ending the ongoing conflict with Russia. This comes as Ukraine faces mounting military and political challenges, particularly intensified Russian assaults on the front lines. The strikes included two consecutive nights of attacks targeting Kyiv and its surrounding areas.
In a recent drone attack on the outskirts of Kyiv, one person was killed and 11 others were injured, as reported by the regional governor. Just hours prior, a Ukrainian security source indicated that Kyiv was responsible for strikes on two oil tankers in the Black Sea, which were allegedly involved in covertly transporting sanctioned Russian oil.
The U.S. talks occur against a backdrop of instability within Ukraine’s political landscape. President Volodymyr Zelensky was compelled to dismiss his chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, following a major corruption probe. The Ukrainian delegation, now led by Rustem Umerov, is scheduled to meet with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and special envoy Steve Witkoff in Florida.
Washington has proposed a plan to resolve the more than three-year conflict, seeking the concurrence of both Moscow and Kyiv. An earlier draft contained 28 points—created without input from Ukraine’s European allies—which suggested that Kyiv withdraw from the eastern Donetsk region. It also implied U.S. recognition of Donetsk, Crimea, and Lugansk as Russian territories. The original draft faced criticism from Kyiv and European leaders, leading to a reduction in its scope; however, the specifics of the current proposal remain unclear.
Following the talks in the U.S., French President Emmanuel Macron is set to host President Zelensky for discussions in Paris.
In related news, one of Russia’s largest oil terminals was reportedly forced to halt operations on Saturday after a sea drone attack. The Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC), which includes American oil firms like Chevron and ExxonMobil, labeled the assault a “terrorist attack.” While Ukraine has often targeted Russian energy infrastructures to undermine the country’s war efforts, it did not comment on this particular incident. However, a Ukrainian source took responsibility for the attacks on two ships off Turkey’s coast, stating that those vessels were engaged in transporting sanctioned Russian oil.
On the eve of the negotiations, reported drone strikes and nighttime assaults continued to plague Ukraine. The Kyiv regional governor confirmed another drone attack in the early hours of Sunday, resulting in one fatality and multiple injuries, including that of a child. This strike followed a previous night’s assault that led to three deaths and widespread power outages affecting thousands across the nation.
Although Russia maintains that it does not target civilians and claims to strike energy facilities associated with Ukraine’s military infrastructure, Ukrainian authorities describe these operations as attempts to wear down the morale of the civilian population. The recent escalations have left residents like Galyna Bondarenko shaken; she recounted terrifying incidents that left debris within her home, underscoring the war’s toll on ordinary lives.
