President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on Tuesday that Ukraine is ready to move forward with a US-backed peace deal, expressing willingness to discuss its sensitive points with US President Donald Trump in talks that should include European allies. The statement came amid a massive Russian missile and drone attack on Kyiv’s energy infrastructure, which killed seven and injured 21 people.
Speaking to the ‘coalition of the willing’, a group co-hosted by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Zelenskyy urged European leaders to develop a framework for deploying a “reassurance force” to Ukraine and to maintain support until Moscow shows genuine willingness to end the war. The call was attended by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, French President Emmanuel Macron, and Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump confirmed he has directed special envoy Steve Witkoff to meet Vladimir Putin in Moscow and Army Secretary Dan Driscoll to meet Ukrainian officials. He noted that an original 28-point US peace plan has been fine-tuned with input from both sides, leaving only a few remaining details. Trump said he hopes to meet Zelenskyy and Putin “soon, but only when the deal is final or in its final stages.”
Russia launched 22 missiles, including four hypersonic Kinzhals, and 464 drones in the overnight attack primarily targeting Kyiv and its surroundings. The assault follows reports that US Army Secretary Dan Driscoll held talks with Russian and Ukrainian delegates in Abu Dhabi described as “going well.”
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stated on X that the coalition will continue exerting pressure on Russia, as “pressure remains the only language Russia responds to.” Starmer said ceasefire talks are “moving in a positive direction” but urged coalition leaders to firm up commitments to a potential peacekeeping operation.
