Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky is travelling to Florida for talks with US President Donald Trump on Sunday, as Russia launched a massive drone and missile attack on Kyiv that left hundreds of thousands without power in freezing temperatures. The strikes, described by Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney as 'barbaric', involved nearly 500 drones and 40 missiles, including ballistic missiles, targeting energy facilities and civilian infrastructure.
Zelensky stopped in Canada en route, where Carney announced an additional $2.5bn (£1.85bn) in economic aid for Ukraine. The Ukrainian leader said the overnight bombings demonstrated that international pressure on Russia was insufficient, adding: 'If Russia turns even the Christmas and New Year period into a time of destroyed homes... then this sick activity can only be responded to with truly strong steps. The United States has this capability. Europe has this capability. The key is to use it.'
The peace plan under discussion is reportedly a revised version of an earlier 28-point document, which was widely seen as favouring Russian demands. Zelensky said the plan is '90% ready' and that Ukrainian and American negotiating teams have made significant progress. He also noted he would need public approval if he failed to secure a strong position on territory.
European leaders, including EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa, reaffirmed their support for Ukraine, with von der Leyen stating the EU would 'continue to keep up the pressure on the Kremlin' and accompany Ukraine on its path to EU membership. French President Emmanuel Macron highlighted the contrast between Ukraine's willingness for peace and Russia's determination to prolong the war.
The Russian strikes forced Polish fighter jets to scramble and temporarily closed two airports in south-eastern Poland. Russia claimed to have captured two more towns in eastern Ukraine, while Ukraine's foreign minister Andrii Sybiha said a third of Kyiv was without heating as temperatures hovered around 0C.
