KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — A recent Russian drone strike targeted the Ukrainian city of Odesa, resulting in the death of one individual. The incident, confirmed by Ukraine's State Emergency Service on Saturday, involved a drone hitting a residential building, claiming the life of an elderly woman. This attack occurred amid ongoing hostilities as both Russia and Ukraine prepare for a new round of U.S.-brokered peace talks aimed at resolving the ongoing conflict.
On the previous day, a Ukrainian missile strike on the Russian border city of Belgorod led to the deaths of two people and left five others injured. Regional Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov provided these details, highlighting the reciprocal nature of the violence currently plaguing the region.
Next week, representatives from both Russia and Ukraine will gather for another round of negotiations in Geneva. This meeting is particularly significant as it takes place just days before the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, which began in February 2020. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov announced that the discussions are scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday, while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s communications adviser, Dmytro Lytvyn, confirmed the upcoming negotiations.
These talks are set against a backdrop of persistent fighting along a roughly 1,250-kilometer (750-mile) front line. In recent weeks, there has been a relentless bombardment by Russian forces targeting civilian areas in Ukraine, which has significantly impacted the country's infrastructure, including its power grid. Additionally, Ukraine has executed almost daily long-range drone attacks on war-related assets within Russian territory.
In previous efforts to find common ground, U.S.-led discussions, including two recent rounds in Abu Dhabi, have faced challenges, particularly concerning contentious issues such as the future of the Donbas industrial region. This area remains largely occupied by Russian troops, complicating the negotiations further.
President Zelenskyy indicated last week that the United States has set a June deadline for both Ukraine and Russia to reach a deal. These proposals for a timeline in negotiations echo past deadlines issued by U.S. President Donald Trump, which have largely failed to produce any tangible outcomes.
With ongoing hostilities and regular exchanges of missile strikes, the prospect of reaching a resolution appears distant. Nevertheless, the upcoming talks present another opportunity for diplomacy in a conflict that has caused significant humanitarian and geopolitical ramifications.
As the international community continues to follow the developments in Ukraine, there is a palpable sense of urgency surrounding the need for dialogue and a peacefully negotiated solution to the war.
