Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
Russia launched its most extensive air assault on Ukraine in weeks late Monday night, striking as President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with U.S. President Donald Trump and European leaders in Washington to discuss potential pathways to peace.
According to Ukraine’s air force, 270 drones and 10 missiles were fired into Ukrainian territory overnight. While air defenses successfully intercepted or neutralized a portion of the barrage 30 drones and six missiles numerous projectiles reached their targets. Confirmed impacts from 40 drones and four missiles were reported across 16 locations, with debris causing further disruption in several areas.
Ukraine’s Ministry of Energy stated that energy infrastructure in the Poltava region was among the primary targets. Fires erupted at oil refining and gas facilities, which the ministry condemned as part of a wider campaign of “systematic terrorist attacks” against Ukraine’s energy sector.
The scale of destruction makes the assault the largest since July 31, when Russia fired 309 drones and eight missiles. In response, Russia’s Defense Ministry claimed its forces shot down 23 Ukrainian drones, primarily over the Volgograd region. Officials there reported fires at an oil refinery and a hospital roof, though no casualties were confirmed.
The attacks came as diplomatic efforts in Washington sought to reinvigorate stalled peace negotiations. President Trump hosted President Zelenskyy and European leaders at the White House to discuss a potential roadmap toward ending Russia’s full-scale invasion, which began in February 2022.
Zelenskyy described the summit as a meaningful step forward, noting Ukraine’s readiness to pursue a bilateral meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. That session, if confirmed, would be followed by a trilateral meeting involving Trump. The U.S. president indicated that he had already spoken with Putin by phone to initiate arrangements for a future summit, though the Kremlin has yet to formally commit.
A senior Kremlin aide said both Putin and Trump had expressed support for continued direct negotiations between Russian and Ukrainian delegations. Discussions also reportedly touched on the possibility of elevating the status of negotiators in future talks.
Security guarantees for Ukraine were a central topic of discussion. While Trump reiterated his commitment to ensuring Ukraine’s protection, he ruled out the country joining NATO. He suggested that European nations, including the UK, France, and Germany, may contribute troops or other security assurances as part of a post-war arrangement.
Despite the diplomatic progress, clear differences remain. Zelenskyy and European leaders continue to insist that a full ceasefire must precede any comprehensive peace talks. Trump, however, appeared to shift his stance, suggesting that while a ceasefire could be beneficial, it was not essential to begin negotiations.
Zelenskyy thanked the U.S. for hosting the talks and said the meeting underscored the international community’s willingness to support Ukraine’s long-term security. He stressed that true peace would require a durable and reliable framework, not only for Ukraine but for broader European stability.
European leaders echoed support for Ukraine but expressed skepticism over Moscow’s intentions. French President Emmanuel Macron questioned whether Putin genuinely sought peace, suggesting the Russian leader was still focused on territorial gains. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz dismissed the idea of Ukrainian territorial concessions, comparing Russia’s demands to the hypothetical loss of a U.S. state.
While the summit highlighted increased international coordination and a shared desire to end the war, it also exposed the complex and unresolved challenges that continue to stand in the way of peace.
