Russian missiles strike Kyiv despite signals on resuming peace talks

Russian missiles struck Kyiv overnight on Thursday, injuring six people and sending local residents into emergency shelters, France 24 reported. Ukrainian authorities confirmed that the strikes hit the capital city throughout the night. The attacks occurred shortly after Moscow signalled its readiness to resume trilateral peace talks with Ukraine and the United States, according to France 24. [1]

Media reports indicate that Moscow and Kyiv have agreed to a proposal from United States special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner for a technical level meeting, Interfax Ukraine reported. Following Witkoff's meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Saint Petersburg on Wednesday, US President Donald Trump stated that negotiators are the closest they have been to ending the war, France 24 reported. France 24 also noted that Witkoff praised Putin for releasing US citizen Stephen Hubb. [1][3]

As FTMQ News reported earlier, Russia indicated it would restart peace talks as early as next month, with Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov suggesting Abu Dhabi as a potential venue. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky previously stated he is open to freezing front lines to secure a ceasefire. However, Zelensky has also warned that Putin is assisting Iran while Trump attempts to finalize a deal with Moscow, according to the Kyiv Post. [4][9]

There have been multiple rounds of peace negotiations since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022. Putin has demanded the recognition of occupied territories as Russian, guarantees that Ukraine will never join NATO, the reduction of the Ukrainian military, and the removal of international sanctions. Zelensky has demanded a full ceasefire, the complete withdrawal of Russian forces, the return of prisoners and children, and prosecution of Russian leaders. [5]