LONDON – In a significant escalation of hostilities, Russia launched a barrage of drones targeting Ukraine overnight, as confirmed by Kyiv’s air force. Ahead of a crucial meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump in Florida, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy faced a continued threat from the ongoing conflict.
Kyiv’s air force reported that 48 drones were launched by Russia from Saturday night into Sunday morning. Of these, Ukrainian forces managed to intercept or neutralize 30, leaving 18 drones to strike across nine different locations within Ukraine. This recent attack marks the culmination of a week during which Ukrainian defense calculated that at least 1,810 drones and missiles were fired at their territory.
Zelenskyy, who arrived in North America for critical discussions aimed at forging a path towards ending Russia’s invasion, held a meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney in Halifax on Saturday. He is scheduled to meet President Trump at the Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Florida, on Sunday. Zelenskyy has emphasized the need for strong, legal security guarantees from Western allies to progress towards peace, indicating that Ukraine is willing to consider various compromises that ensure the nation’s safety post-ceasefire.
Highlighting the importance of international support, Zelenskyy stated, “If the whole world – Europe and America – is on our side, together we will stop Putin.” His remarks were aimed at rallying allies to maintain strong opposition against Russian aggression, underscoring the repercussions if any Western nations sided with Russia.
In a contrasting response, Russian President Vladimir Putin suggested that the West is offering Ukraine favorable conditions for peace, yet claimed Kyiv appears unwilling to settle. In a statement made at a military command post, he reiterated that Moscow would pursue its objectives through military means should Ukraine’s leadership remain obstinate in peace negotiations.
Zelenskyy expressed his skepticism regarding Putin’s willingness to seek peace, interpreting Russia’s recent drone strike as a demonstration of the Kremlin’s disregard for negotiations. He described the nighttime bombardment as an illustration of Putin’s intentions to prolong the conflict while exerting pressure on Ukraine and its allies.
In retaliation, Ukraine has continued its own long-range offensive, with reports stating that Russian defense forces intercepted at least 25 Ukrainian drones overnight. Furthermore, in response to the heightened military activities, flight restrictions were imposed at several airports across regions in Russia, according to the country’s federal air transport agency, Rosaviatsiya.
This ongoing conflict is a stark reminder of the complex geopolitical landscape, but Zelenskyy’s commitment to seeking peace, backed by international support, signals a resilient approach in these challenging times. The discussions in Florida are anticipated to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of Ukraine amidst continued hostilities.