Kyrylo Budanov, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's chief of staff, stated on Monday that ending the war with Russia before winter is a 'realistic' outcome. He said, 'This is the president's instruction: to try to end this war as soon as possible … preferably before winter. In my opinion, this is absolutely correct, timely, and realistic.'
Zelenskyy, in an interview aired on Sunday, called for reviving stalled talks with Russia before winter to capitalise on Kyiv's improved strategic position. A senior Ukrainian commander had previously indicated a six-month window to seize the battlefield initiative. Budanov also mentioned expecting a US delegation to visit Moscow and Kyiv soon, without providing details.
Kyiv came under heavy Russian attack early on Tuesday, with authorities urging residents to seek shelter. Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported a fire in the Podil district and a nine-storey apartment building on fire after debris struck the roof. In the Obolon district, cars burned after being hit by missile debris, and fires occurred near a kindergarten. Air defences were active, according to Reuters and Agence France-Presse.
France detained a suspected Russian 'shadow fleet' oil tanker, the Tagor, in the Atlantic on Sunday. The ship, which departed Murmansk and was headed to Cameroon under a false flag, is being escorted for inspection. President Emmanuel Macron said the action was in strict compliance with the law of the sea, condemning the circumvention of sanctions that finance Russia's war.
Zelenskyy said Ukraine's military can hit Russian logistics across occupied territories, leaving 'almost no safe roads' for occupiers in the south and east. Russia plans to increase fuel supplies from Belarus and tighten export oversight due to domestic shortages, with a possible two-month gasoline export ban. Fuel sales in occupied Sevastopol will be limited on Tuesday amid rationing caused by Ukrainian attacks.
Dozens of countries denounced Russia at the UN on Monday after a Russian drone hit a Romanian apartment building, injuring two people. Romanian Foreign Minister Oana-Silvia Toiu, representing 56 UN members, called the behaviour 'unacceptable under international law' and demanded it stop.
