Zero Hour for Ukraine: US-Russia Peace Talks Set Amid New Kyiv Bombings

Developments on the frontlines are rapid as peace negotiations are set to begin. The peace talks regarding the ceasefire in Ukraine “will start on Sunday in Jeddah,” Saudi Arabia, announced U.S. presidential envoy Steve Witkoff. Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered his military forces to halt attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure for 30 days. Regarding the limited ceasefire concerning energy infrastructure and the cessation of hostilities in the Black Sea, “I believe the Russians have accepted both points. I hope the Ukrainians will also accept them,” Witkoff stated on Fox News. Both leaders reportedly agreed on a limited ceasefire focused on energy infrastructure. However, Witkoff clarified that it pertains to “energy and infrastructure generally.” Witkoff further explained that the American delegation in Saudi Arabia will be led by U.S. Secretary of State Mark Rubio and White House National Security Advisor Mike Walls, though the identities of their counterparts remain undisclosed. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, however, stated that Russia launched another night of airstrikes against civilian infrastructure, including a hospital, asserting that Putin rejected a full ceasefire proposal. “Unfortunately, there were strikes precisely against civilian infrastructure,” Zelenskyy reported via Telegram. He mentioned a direct drone strike of Iranian design targeting a hospital in Sumy (north) and other aerial attacks, some hitting the capital, Kyiv. Despite this, Zelenskyy did not mention any attacks on energy infrastructure, which was part of the 30-day ceasefire agreement discussed between U.S. President Donald Trump and Putin. “It is precisely these nightly Russian attacks that destroy our efforts, our infrastructure, and the normal life of Ukrainians. And the fact that this night was no exception shows we must continue to pressure Russia to truly achieve peace,” Zelenskyy emphasized. “In reality, Putin rejected the proposal for a full ceasefire during his phone call with Trump,” he insisted.