KYIV and other regions of Ukraine were subjected to a series of overnight missile and drone attacks on Saturday, marking a fresh escalation just days before President Volodymyr Zelenskiy is due to meet U.S. President Donald Trump in Florida for high-stakes talks aimed at ending nearly four years of war.
Explosions were reported across the Ukrainian capital as air defence units engaged the incoming strikes.
Reuters reported today that the military confirmed on the Telegram messaging app that missiles were being deployed, while the air force indicated that Russian drones were targeting both Kyiv and regions to the northeast and south.
An air raid alert remained in force for approximately four hours, although no immediate reports of damage or power outages emerged. Russia had yet to comment on the attacks.
The talks in Florida, scheduled for Sunday, are expected to focus on one of the most contentious issues in the conflict: the control of territory.
Since Russia’s invasion in February 2022, which sparked Europe’s deadliest conflict since World War Two, questions over which areas each side would hold have remained a diplomatic stumbling block. Zelenskiy revealed that a 20-point draft plan, crafted under U.S. auspices, was 90 percent complete.
“A lot can be decided before the New Year,” Zelenskiy told Politico, noting that a security guarantee agreement between Ukraine and the United States is nearly finalised.
He emphasised the importance of legally binding provisions, citing the inadequacy of previous post-Soviet guarantees in deterring Russian aggression. Trump, in turn, asserted that the United States remains the driving force behind the process.
“He doesn't have anything until I approve it,” Trump told Politico, adding that he expected the talks with Zelenskiy to go well and signalled an intention to speak with President Vladimir Putin soon.
Beyond territorial disputes, key issues under discussion include control of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power station—Europe’s largest—which Russia seized early in the conflict, and the potential creation of a free economic zone should Ukraine withdraw from certain areas of Donetsk.
Moscow has demanded Ukrainian withdrawal from eastern Donetsk, where Russian forces have failed to secure all objectives, while Kyiv seeks a halt to fighting along current frontlines.
Under a U.S. compromise, the free economic zone arrangement would form part of the settlement, though details are yet to be clarified.
Zelenskiy also indicated that, if he cannot secure U.S. support for Ukraine’s “strong” position on territorial control, he would consider putting the 20-point plan to a referendum, provided Russia agrees to a 60-day ceasefire to allow adequate preparation.
Amid these developments, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov acknowledged that Kyiv’s version of the plan differs from what Moscow has been negotiating with Washington, but expressed optimism that talks have reached a “turning point” in the pursuit of a settlement.
Kremlin spokesperson Yuri Ushakov confirmed that Moscow received U.S. proposals and held consultations with members of the Trump administration, though he did not disclose Russia’s assessment of the documents.
As the situation unfolds, Kyiv remains under threat even as diplomatic efforts continue, highlighting the delicate balance between military escalation and negotiations aimed at ending one of Europe’s most devastating conflicts in decades. - December 27, 2025
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