The war in Ukraine is reaching another critical juncture as Russia has intensified its offensive in the east. On Saturday, Russia’s Defence Ministry claimed that Russian troops captured six settlements in Ukraine’s Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia regions. Ukraine’s military rejected these claims, stating that defensive operations are ongoing and the situation remains difficult.
Meanwhile, on Sunday, the Ukrainian military struck the Syzran oil refinery in Russia’s Samara region, causing a fire. Kyiv’s General said damages are still being assessed.
Amid escalating missile and drone assaults, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is in Florida to meet U.S. President Donald Trump and discuss a 20-point peace plan, which Zelensky hopes could form the basis of a future agreement to end the war. Zelensky emphasized the need for strong, simultaneous security guarantees to prevent renewed Russian aggression.
Russian President Vladimir Putin warned that Russia would resolve all challenges by force if Ukraine’s leadership does not seek a peaceful resolution.
During his stopover in Canada, Zelensky met Prime Minister Mark Carney, who announced an additional $2.5 billion in economic assistance to Ukraine to unlock further international financing. Zelensky also held talks with EU, NATO, and European leaders, who reaffirmed full support. EU chief Ursula von der Leyen pledged unwavering backing for Ukraine.
Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov accused European leaders of pursuing political ambitions, ignoring both Ukrainian and European interests, and warned that any European troops deployed to Ukraine would become legitimate targets for Russian forces.
