Russia Strikes Kyiv Amid Diplomatic Talks on Ukraine Peace Deal
Russia launched a ballistic missile attack on Kyiv on Thursday, just hours after President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held discussions with U.S. President Donald Trump and European leaders. The strike, the second major air assault this week, underscores the volatility of the conflict as diplomatic efforts intensify. Kyiv authorities urged residents to take shelter as explosions were reported. In Sumy, a drone attack claimed one life. The attacks follow a devastating Monday strike that damaged a 1,000-year-old monastery and killed 10. Zelenskyy described his talks with Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron as a 'coordinating conversation' toward ending the war. The Kremlin confirmed that Putin did not discuss a meeting with Zelenskyy during a recent call with Trump, signaling ongoing challenges to negotiations.
Russia launched a ballistic missile attack on Kyiv on Thursday, marking the second major air assault on Ukraine this week and escalating tensions just as diplomatic outreach attempts are underway. The strike came hours after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held separate conversations with U.S. President Donald Trump and European leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron, as part of ongoing efforts to negotiate a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
Local authorities in Kyiv urged residents to take shelter immediately, with Tymur Tkachenko, the head of the city’s military administration, issuing an urgent warning via Telegram: “The enemy is attacking the capital with ballistic missiles. Stay in safe places until the air raid alert is over!” A Reuters witness confirmed hearing explosions in the capital, while in the northeastern city of Sumy, officials reported that a separate drone attack resulted in at least one fatality. Air strike alerts were issued across most of Ukraine’s territory as the attacks unfolded.
Diplomatic Efforts Amid Escalation
President Zelenskyy described his recent discussions with Trump and Macron as a “coordinating conversation” aimed at ending the Russia-Ukraine conflict. The talks occurred on the sidelines of a Group of Seven meeting in France, where Zelenskyy also met with other European allies. Trump, in remarks on Wednesday, suggested that both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Zelenskyy appeared open to making progress on the conflict. The Kremlin, however, confirmed that during a recent phone call with Trump, Putin did not discuss the possibility of a personal meeting with Zelenskyy, indicating that substantial groundwork for direct talks still remains elusive.
Renewed Air Attacks
This week’s missile strike on Kyiv follows a devastating attack on Monday that heavily damaged a 1,000-year-old monastery in the capital, killing 10 people and drawing widespread condemnation from European leaders. The repeated assaults on civilian infrastructure highlight the persistent volatility on the ground, even as international mediators push for a ceasefire. The latest attacks serve as a stark reminder that diplomatic progress faces significant hurdles, as both military operations and political negotiations continue in parallel.
For more detailed reporting, refer to the original coverage from CGTN.
