Ukraine Conducts Major Drone Strike on Russia Before U.S. Peace Talks
Ukraine executed a large drone attack on Russia ahead of crucial talks with the United States in Saudi Arabia. Russia reported significant interceptions, resulting in casualties. The discussions are critical for Ukraine to regain U.S. support and propose a ceasefire. However, President Zelenskyy will not be directly involved, and Russia has made no concessions, complicating peace prospects.
In a significant military operation, Ukraine launched a substantial drone assault on Russia just before critical discussions with the United States in Saudi Arabia aimed at resolving the ongoing conflict. According to Russia’s Defense Ministry, its military claims to have intercepted 337 drones, resulting in two fatalities and 18 injuries across ten regions in Russia. Moscow’s mayor, Sergei Sobyanin, remarked that this attack represented the largest assault on the city since the conflict’s inception.
High-level talks commenced between U.S. and Ukrainian representatives in Jeddah, featuring Secretary of State Marco Rubio, National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, and Middle East Special Envoy Steve Witkoff. This meeting serves as an opportunity for Ukraine to mend relations with the Trump administration following a dispute during President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s February visit to Washington regarding a rare earth mineral agreement.
A significant task for Ukraine is to advocate for the resumption of U.S. military aid and intelligence sharing, which had been suspended previously. Ukrainian officials indicated intentions to propose a ceasefire for the Black Sea, aimed at facilitating safer shipping routes and addressing long-range missile strikes impacting civilian areas, along with a framework for prisoner exchanges.
Secretary Rubio stated the U.S. delegation aims to listen to Ukrainian proposals without imposing conditions on achieving a resolution to the protracted conflict, expressing an interest in gauging Ukraine’s willingness to engage. “I’m not going to set any conditions on what they have to or need to do,” Rubio noted, highlighting the need to assess the disparities in objectives between the U.S., Ukraine, and Russia.
It should be noted that President Zelenskyy will not be directly involved in these discussions. Meanwhile, former President Trump commented on the situation, expressing a desire for Ukraine to demonstrate a genuine interest in peace, asserting that current indications suggest otherwise.
The Kremlin has not revealed any intentions for concessions, asserting that it would agree to halt military actions only if Ukraine abandons its NATO aspirations and recognizes the annexed regions as part of Russia, with Russia currently holding approximately 20 percent of Ukrainian territory since the conflict began.
The ongoing humanitarian impact and military developments underscore the complexities of negotiations as both parties prepare to engage.
In summary, Ukraine’s extensive drone assault on Russia precedes critical U.S.-Ukrainian talks aimed at resolving the ongoing war. The discussions highlight Ukraine’s urgent need to restore military aid and intelligence from the United States and propose ceasefire measures. The absence of President Zelenskyy from the talks alongside the lack of concessions from Russia illustrates the intricate dynamics at play. As negotiations unfold, the potential for a shift in the current stalemate remains uncertain.
Original Source: news3lv.com
