CloseVolodymyr Zelensky said a devastating drone attack on Kyiv by Russian forces showed Vladimir Putin “doesn’t want peace” ahead of crunch talks with his US counterpart Donald Trump.
The Ukrainian president and US leader will meet in Florida on Sunday to continue peace talks after Mr Zelensky said a peace agreement was “90 per cent ready”.
About a third of Ukraine’s capital was left without heat in sub-zero weather conditions on Saturday after Moscow’s air force launched almost 500 drones, largely shaheds, and 40 missiles in a large air strike. The air force said Russian drones were targeting the capital and regions in the North East and the South.
Speaking to reporters en route to the US, Mr Zelensky said the strikes showed Mr Putin’s true attitude to the peace talks.
Before the overnight attacks, Mr Zelensky said his talks in Florida would focus on the territory to be controlled by each side after a halt to the fighting.
However, Mr Trump said Mr Zelensky “doesn’t have anything until I approve it”.
“So we'll see what he's got,” Trump told Politico.
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Editorial: Zelensky still has cards to play in Trump’s Ukraine poker game
Zelensky still has cards to play in Trump’s Ukraine poker game
Editorial: As Trump talks peace deals and Putin digs in, Zelensky is playing a subtler game. His proposal for a referendum on Ukraine’s borders could reshape the negotiations – and expose who is really serious about ending the warNicole Wootton-Cane27 December 2025 22:00
EU support for Ukraine 'will not falter', EU chief says
European Union support for Ukraine “will not falter”, an EU chief has said ahead of crucial peace talks between the US and Kyiv.
In a post on X, European Council president Antonio Costa wrote: “Together with European leaders I spoke with President @ZelenskyyUa, in order to coordinate ahead of tomorrow’s meeting with President Trump.
“The EU’s support for Ukraine will not falter. In war, in peace, in reconstruction.”
He added: “A strong and prosperous Ukraine in the EU is a core security guarantee.
“We continue to work for a robust and lasting peace for Ukraine, in close cooperation with our US partners.”
Nicole Wootton-Cane27 December 2025 21:30
Ukraine is leveraging its powerful – and cheap – new drone killers for air defence
Ukraine is leveraging its powerful – and cheap – new drone killers for air defence
Ukraine is rapidly deploying low-cost interceptor drones to counter Russia’s evolving aerial attacks on cities and power infrastructureNicole Wootton-Cane27 December 2025 21:00
Zelensky open to withdrawing troops for demilitarised zone in Ukraine in new peace plan
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky says he would be willing to withdraw troops from the country’s eastern industrial heartland in an updated plan to end the war with Russia – if Moscow also pulled back from the area, creating a demilitarised zone.
As he prepares for a fresh round of peace talks with the US, Mr Zelensky said the Donbas region could become a “free economic zone”, but it was unclear how the fought-over area would be governed or developed.
The Independent’s Maryam Zakir-Hussain has more:
Zelensky open to withdrawing troops for demilitarised zone in new peace plan
President stresses most sensitive issues of 20-point peace plan require meeting with leaders despite progress in talksNicole Wootton-Cane27 December 2025 20:30
In pictures: Kyiv buildings reduced to rubble by Russian strikes
Nicole Wootton-Cane27 December 2025 20:00
Power returned to 50,000 homes in Kyiv, energy provider says
Power has been restored to 50,000 homes in the Kyiv region after Russian strikes damaged infrastructure and left half a million families in the dark, according to Ukraine’s energy provider.
In a statement on Telegram, DTEK Group said Russia had caused “serious damage” in the region that will “take time” to repair.
It added emergency power outages continue in the Brovary, Boryspil, and Vyshgorod districts of the Kyiv region.
Nicole Wootton-Cane27 December 2025 19:30
Russian forces capture towns in Zaporizhzhia and Donetsk, Kremlin says
Russian forces have captured one town in the Donetsk region and one in Zaporizhzhia, the Kremlin has said.
In a post on Telegram, Russian forces showed President Vladimir Putin inspecting a commanding post.
It added Russian soldiers had reportedly taken the town of Myrnohrad in Ukraine's Donetsk region, as well as Huliaipole in Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia region.
Both are heavily contested areas key to Russia’s territorial ambitions.
The Independent could not independently verify the battlefield reports.
Nicole Wootton-Cane27 December 2025 19:00
Ukraine 'in no hurry' to end conflict peacefully, Putin says
Russian president Vladimir Putin has claimed Ukraine are in “no hurry” to end the ongoing conflict peacefully.
It comes as his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky travels to the US for peace talks with Donald Trump.
Mr Putin said that if Ukraine didn't want to resolve the conflict peacefully then Russia would resolve all goals of its "special military operation" by force, Russian state news agency TASS reported on Saturday.
Nicole Wootton-Cane27 December 2025 18:45
Zelensky arrives in Canada for meeting with prime minister
President Zelensky has arrived in Canada for a meeting with prime minister Mark Carney.
It comes as Mr Carney pledged an additional $2.5bn of economic aid for Ukraine in a bid to help the country unlock funding from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
Mr Carney will then host a call with some of Ukraine's key allies, including the UK, France, Germany and Italy before Mr Zelensky heads to the US, where he will meet President Trump tomorrow.
Nicole Wootton-Cane27 December 2025 18:33
Canada to provide $2.5 billion in economic aid for Ukraine, prime minister says
Canadian prime minister Mark Carney has announced an additional $2.5bn of economic aid for Ukraine.
The assistance, unveiled on Saturday, will help Ukraine unlock financing from the International Monetary Fund, Mr Carney said during an appearance with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Nicole Wootton-Cane27 December 2025 18:15NewerOlder