Ukrainian representatives have embarked on a critical diplomatic mission to the United States for renewed peace negotiations, coinciding with dramatic military strikes against Russian oil tankers in the Black Sea.
High-Stakes Diplomatic Mission
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed on Saturday that a Ukrainian delegation led by national security chief Rustem Umerov is travelling to America to urgently develop concrete measures to end the ongoing conflict. The Ukrainian leader stated his team aims to "swiftly and substantively work out the steps needed to end the war" with top officials from Donald Trump's administration.
The talks, scheduled to take place in Florida, will see the Ukrainian team met by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, alongside Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff and the president's son-in-law Jared Kushner, according to senior US officials. Following these preliminary discussions, an American delegation is expected to travel directly to Moscow for talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Trump's Controversial Peace Proposal
These diplomatic efforts come just one week after Donald Trump released a 28-point peace proposal that has drawn significant criticism for appearing to heavily favour Russian interests. The plan would reportedly transfer substantial Ukrainian territory to Russia and impose limitations on the size of Ukraine's military forces.
President Zelenskyy acknowledged the proposal prompted his government to quickly engage with American negotiators, though he struck a cautiously optimistic tone in his Saturday evening address. "The American side is demonstrating a constructive approach," he stated, adding that "in the coming days it is feasible to flesh out the steps to determine how to bring the war to a dignified end."
The Ukrainian negotiating team faces this challenge without former chief of staff Andrii Yermak, who resigned abruptly on Friday following anti-corruption raids on his residence amid a major corruption scandal shaking the country.
Naval Drone Operations Intensify
While diplomats prepared for talks, dramatic footage emerged showing Ukrainian naval drones striking two Russian "shadow fleet" tankers in the Black Sea earlier on Saturday.
A security service official confirmed to Reuters that the joint operation between Ukraine's SBU security service and navy successfully inflicted "critical damage" on both vessels, rendering them inoperable. The targeted tankers, identified as the Kairos and Virat, were reportedly heading to Russian ports to collect oil destined for international markets when they were attacked.
Turkey's transport ministry provided details of the strikes, noting the 274-metre-long Kairos suffered an explosion and caught fire while travelling from Egypt to Russia. Crew members required evacuation by rescue vessels as firefighting efforts continued. The Virat was struck approximately 35 nautical miles offshore, sustaining minor damage to its starboard side but remaining stable with all crew reported safe.
Russia increasingly relies on this shadow fleet of often ageing, uninsured tankers to circumvent international sanctions designed to limit oil revenues funding its military operations in Ukraine.
Escalating Aerial Attacks
The diplomatic and naval developments unfolded against a backdrop of continued Russian aerial assaults on Ukrainian territory. Officials confirmed that drone and missile attacks in and around Kyiv killed at least three people on Saturday, with approximately thirty others injured.
Kyiv mayor Vitali Klitschko reported that most injuries resulted from falling debris after Ukrainian air defences intercepted Russian drones over residential areas. President Zelenskyy detailed the scale of the overnight assault, noting Russia fired 36 cruise and ballistic missiles alongside approximately 600 drones.
The attacks also targeted energy infrastructure across Ukraine, leaving around 600,000 people without power according to official statements, highlighting the ongoing humanitarian impact of the conflict even as diplomatic efforts intensify.
