Zelenskyy Hints at Upcoming Meeting with Trump Amid Ongoing Ukraine-Russia Conflict

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has announced a forthcoming meeting with US President Donald Trump, signaling potential progress in peace negotiations to resolve the ongoing conflict with Russia. This comes after a productive conversation with US officials. Zelenskyy expressed willingness to withdraw troops from eastern Ukraine if Russia reciprocates, although Moscow's demands remain a significant hurdle. Recent military actions have resulted in casualties and infrastructure damage on both sides, highlighting the ongoing tensions. As Ukraine targets Russian oil refineries, the situation continues to evolve, raising questions about the future of the conflict.

By Narendra Chaudhary Dec 26, 2025, 19:08 IST

Progress in Ukraine-Russia Peace Talks

Kyiv: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on Friday that a meeting with US President Donald Trump is expected to take place soon, indicating advancements in discussions aimed at resolving the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, which has persisted for nearly four years.

Zelenskyy shared on X, "We are not wasting any time. A high-level meeting with President Trump has been agreed upon for the near future."

He further noted, "Significant decisions could be made before the New Year."

This announcement followed a productive conversation he had with US special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, Trump's son-in-law, the previous day.

Trump has initiated a diplomatic effort to bring an end to the war, although his attempts have faced starkly opposing demands from both Moscow and Kyiv.

On Tuesday, Zelenskyy expressed his readiness to withdraw troops from Ukraine's eastern industrial region as part of a peace plan, contingent on Moscow's reciprocal withdrawal and the establishment of a demilitarized zone overseen by international forces.

Despite Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova stating that there has been "slow but steady progress" in peace negotiations, Russia has not indicated any willingness to retreat from the territories it has occupied.

Moscow has insisted that Ukraine must surrender the remaining areas it controls in the Donbas, a demand that Ukraine has firmly rejected. Currently, Russia has taken control of most of Luhansk and approximately 70% of Donetsk, the two regions constituting the Donbas.

In recent developments, one individual was killed and three others injured when a guided aerial bomb struck a residence in Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia region. Additionally, six people sustained injuries from a missile attack in the city of Uman, according to local officials.

Russian drone strikes on Mykolaiv and its surrounding areas overnight left parts of the city without electricity. Furthermore, drones caused damage to energy and port facilities in Odesa on the Black Sea.

In retaliation, Ukraine reported that it targeted a significant Russian oil refinery on Thursday using Storm Shadow missiles supplied by Britain.

The General Staff of Ukraine confirmed that its forces successfully hit the Novoshakhtinsk refinery located in Russia's Rostov region, stating, "Multiple explosions were recorded. The target was struck," via Telegram.

Rostov regional Governor Yuri Slyusar reported that a firefighter was injured while battling the resulting fire.

Ukraine's long-range drone assaults on Russian refineries are aimed at cutting off Moscow's oil export revenues, which are crucial for sustaining its extensive invasion efforts. Meanwhile, Russia seeks to undermine Ukraine's power grid, aiming to deprive civilians of essential services such as heat, light, and running water, which Kyiv officials describe as an attempt to "weaponize winter."