The White House confirms that the meeting between Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky will be held at 7pm Italian time at Mar-a-Lago.
Moscow participates in “long talks,” but once again, its actions – the use of Kinzhal missiles and Shahed drones – speak louder than words. On the eve of his face-to-face meeting with Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago, Volodymyr Zelensky described the intense Russian bombardment of Kyiv overnight: one of the most massive attacks in recent months, involving almost 500 drones and around forty missiles concentrated within ten hours. Zelensky accused Vladimir Putin and his inner circle of demonstrating “no desire to end the war,” before traveling to Florida, with stops in Canada for discussions with Prime Minister Mark Carney and a final video conference with European allies. Putin soon resumed his threats, verbally setting the terms for negotiation: “If Kyiv does not want to resolve the conflict peacefully, we will complete the operation with force,” he stated, demanding that Ukraine “withdraw from the territories” claimed by Moscow.
The impact of the Russian attacks – resulting in two deaths, dozens of injuries, and over a million Ukrainians without electricity or heating – has resonated beyond Ukraine’s borders. Russia is focusing its efforts on capturing the eastern cities of Myrnohrad and Huljaipole. Warsaw responded by scrambling fighter jets and led the continental response by condemning the bombings “despite Zelensky’s willingness to make concessions.”
Zelensky will speak with European leaders again immediately following his meeting at Mar-a-Lago, with Kyiv receiving “our full support,” according to sources.However, Ukrainian appeals call for increased and more consistent support in the form of weapons and financial resources. The 90 billion euro EU bridging loan package agreed upon on December 18th will also provide assistance, with Ursula von der Leyen and Antonio Costa reaffirming “the objective of a just and lasting peace that preserves Ukrainian sovereignty and territorial integrity” and a commitment to “continue to maintain high pressure on the Kremlin” and “accompany Kyiv towards EU membership.”
‘Russian attack on the city of Kherson’
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