KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced a forthcoming meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump, stating it will occur "in the near future." This statement represents a significant step in ongoing discussions aimed at resolving the nearly four-year conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
Zelenskyy made this announcement on social media platform X, emphasizing that "not a single day is being wasted" in the pursuit of peace. He expressed optimism that "a lot can be decided before the New Year," highlighting the urgency of the situation.
The announcement followed a conversation Zelenskyy had with U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law. Trump has been actively engaging in diplomatic efforts to bring an end to the war; however, these efforts face significant challenges due to conflicting demands from both Moscow and Kyiv.
During talks, Zelenskyy indicated his willingness to withdraw Ukrainian troops from the eastern industrial region, contingent on Russia also pulling back its forces and agreeing to establish a demilitarized zone in the area, such zone to be monitored by international forces. This proposal reflects Zelenskyy's attempts to find a negotiated solution that might lead to lasting peace.
Despite this, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova acknowledged "slow but steady progress" in the negotiations, yet Russia has not indicated any readiness to withdraw from the territories it has occupied. Moscow has consistently demanded that Ukraine relinquish the remaining areas it controls in the Donbas region. This stipulation has been firmly rejected by Ukrainian authorities, especially given the significant territorial losses Ukraine has already endured, including most of Luhansk and around 70% of Donetsk, which together constitute the Donbas.
On the ground, tensions remain high with continued military actions. Russian drone attacks targeting Mykolaiv and its surrounding areas left part of the city without power. Meanwhile, Ukraine reported a successful strike on a major Russian oil refinery using British-supplied Storm Shadow missiles. The strike on the Novoshakhtinsk refinery, located in Russia's Rostov region, resulted in "multiple explosions," according to Ukraine's General Staff.
Rostov regional Governor Yuri Slyusar confirmed that a firefighter sustained injuries while responding to the fire caused by the missile strike. Ukraine's targeted strikes on Russian refineries are strategic, aiming to limit Moscow's oil export revenue, which is vital for sustaining its military operations. Concurrently, Russia has been attempting to degrade Ukraine's infrastructure, with a particular focus on crippling the power grid to deny civilians access to essential services such as heat, light, and water. Ukrainian officials have criticized these efforts as an attempt to "weaponize winter."
This ongoing conflict exemplifies the complex geopolitical environment, where military actions, diplomatic negotiations, and international relations intertwine. The situation remains fluid, and the upcoming meeting between Zelenskyy and Trump could potentially influence the trajectory of peace efforts in Eastern Europe.
