Russia launched a fresh wave of missile and drone attacks on Kyiv and other parts of Ukraine early on Saturday, hours before President Volodymyr Zelenskiy is due to hold what he has described as crucial talks with US President Donald Trump aimed at ending nearly four years of war.
Read More: Zelensky plans to meet Trump on Sunday for talks on ending Russian war
Explosions were heard across the Ukrainian capital as air defence systems were activated, while the air force said Russian drones were targeting Kyiv along with regions in the northeast and south. Air raid alerts remained in place for several hours, although authorities reported no immediate damage or power outages.
On the eve of Zelensky’s meeting with Trump to “finalize” the “peace plan,” putin launched a massive drone and missile attack targeting primarily Kyiv’s civilian and energy infrastructure.
Because he clearly wants peace. pic.twitter.com/cH7dwigmrB— Olga Klymenko (@OlgaK2013) December 27, 2025
The attacks came as Zelenskiy said his meeting with Trump in Florida on Sunday would focus on defining territorial control following a potential halt in fighting that began with Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Territory has emerged as the central diplomatic obstacle, with both sides holding sharply opposing positions.
Zelenskiy told journalists that a US-backed, 20-point peace framework was about 90 per cent complete, and that negotiations were also close to finalising a bilateral security guarantees agreement — a key Ukrainian demand given the failure of past assurances to prevent Russian aggression.
Trump said Washington was driving the peace effort, adding that any deal would require his approval. He said he expected his meeting with Zelenskiy to go well and that he hoped to speak with Russian President Vladimir Putin soon.
Beyond territory, control of the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant remains a critical issue. Moscow is pressing Kyiv to withdraw from parts of the Donetsk region it does not fully control, while Ukraine wants a ceasefire along current front lines.
Read More: US, Russia hold Florida talks to end Ukraine war
Zelenskiy has indicated he could submit the proposed deal to a national referendum, provided Russia agrees to a 60-day ceasefire to allow the vote to take place. Russian officials have acknowledged receiving US proposals, expressing cautious optimism that talks may be approaching a turning point, though significant differences remain.