Russian assaults in Ukraine resulted in the death of one individual and injuries to 31 people overnight leading into Saturday, just prior to negotiators from Ukraine, Russia, and the United States convening in the United Arab Emirates for a second day of discussions to halt Russia’s nearly four-year extensive invasion.
As per Kyiv’s military administration head Tymur Tkachenko, one person was killed and four others were injured in Russian drone strikes on Kyiv, the Ukrainian capital.
In Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city, drone attacks left 27 individuals wounded, as reported by Kharkiv regional head Oleh Syniehubov on Saturday.
The attacks occurred as diplomats were set to assemble in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the UAE, for the second day of talks on Saturday. These talks mark the initial known instance where officials from the Trump administration have engaged with both nations as part of Washington’s efforts to facilitate progress in terminating Moscow’s invasion.
The UAE’s Foreign Ministry stated that the talks are part of endeavors to foster dialogue and pinpoint political resolutions to the crisis. The White House characterized the first day of discussions on Friday as fruitful.
Following the recent attacks, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha criticized Russian President Vladimir Putin for the aggression.
“Cynically, Putin ordered a brutal massive missile strike against Ukraine right while delegations are meeting in Abu Dhabi to advance the America-led peace process,” Sybiha expressed on X. “His missiles hit not only our people but also the negotiation table.”
There has been a surge in diplomatic engagements lately, ranging from Switzerland to the Kremlin, despite significant obstacles still existing between the conflicting parties.
While Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy highlighted in Davos, Switzerland, on Thursday that a potential peace agreement was “almost ready,” specific sensitive issues, particularly those related to territorial matters, remain unresolved.
Just before the trilateral talks commenced, Putin deliberated on a Ukraine resolution with U.S. President Donald Trump’s envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner during extended overnight discussions. The Kremlin asserts that for a peace accord to be reached, Kyiv must withdraw its forces from the regions in the east that Russia unlawfully annexed but has not entirely seized.