CNN —
Drone Attack on Odesa Amidst Peace Talks
The port city of Odesa in southern Ukraine was set ablaze late Thursday due to a significant drone strike by Russia. This occurred shortly after US President Donald Trump expressed hope for a resolution to the conflict, with peace negotiations scheduled to resume on Monday.
Trump’s Optimism on Ceasefire
In recent calls with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Trump indicated a positive outlook regarding a ceasefire, stating, “we’re doing pretty well in that regard.”
Resumption of Talks in Saudi Arabia
Delegations from both Russia and the US are set to reconvene in Saudi Arabia on Monday to discuss ending the war, following prior talks held in February, according to officials from both countries.
Zelensky’s Challenge to Putin
Zelensky confirmed that a Ukrainian team would attend the discussions and urged Putin to “stop making unnecessary demands that only prolong the war,” emphasizing the importance of realistic negotiations.
Aftermath of the Drone Strike
Shortly after Trump’s remarks, Russia carried out a “massive” drone attack on Odesa, targeting civilian areas and leaving at least three people injured, including a child. Significant infrastructure, including a residential building and a shopping center, was reportedly damaged.
Widespread Damage from Attacks
In other regions, assaults by Russia injured five individuals near Zaporizhzhia, while nearly 200 drones struck the Kirovohrad region overnight, wounding ten, including four children, and damaging homes and essential infrastructure.
Continuing Conflict and Future Ceasefire
Zelensky stated that while Ukraine “unconditionally agrees” to a ceasefire, it awaits acceptance from Russia. Discussions in Saudi Arabia are poised to focus on details of a deal that may provide a pathway to peace, amidst ongoing military activities on both sides.
