Vladimir Putin’s army has disrupted the trilateral peace talks between US, Russia and Ukraine after fresh drone strikes in Kyiv.
Negotiators from Ukraine, Russia and the US are set to meet in Abu Dhabi today to continue the thorny talks to try find an end to the four-year invasion of Ukraine.
However, Russia has cast a shadow over the much-awaited negotiations after deadly bombardment in Kyiv last night.
At least one person was killed in Kyiv, while 19 people were wounded in attacks in the country’s second-largest city, Kharkiv, where a maternity hospital was damaged.
Volodomyr Zelensky, the president of Ukraine, accused Russia of launching more than 370 drones and 21 missiles last night, targeting Sumy, Kharkiv and Chernihiv regions.
He said on X: ‘In Kharkiv, a maternity hospital, a dormitory housing displaced persons, a medical college, and residential buildings have been damaged. As of now, dozens of people have been reported injured, including a child.
‘In the capital and the surrounding region, the Russians’ main targets were energy facilities. Tragically, this attack has claimed the life of one person.’
Kyiv residents are already reeling from previous attacks since the New Year when Russian air strikes took out power and heating infrastructure in the height of winter.
Russia unleashed a nuclear-capable Oreshnik ballistic missile on Ukraine two weeks ago, reportedly only the second time it has been deployed, wreaking havoc in Lviv near Nato member Poland’s border.
What will the peace talks focus on?
This is the known instance that officials from the Trump administration have sat down with both countries in a bid to push for peace in Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which started in February 2022.
The resuming talks will focus on the revised 20-point peace plan drafted by Kyiv and Washington.
Some of the sticking points is giving up territory to Russia, which Donald Trump believes is necessary for peace, while Ukraine and Europe oppose this.
Ukraine is also keen for security guarantees as it fears Russia could start another aggression even if peace is reached.
News of the fresh attacks emerged just as the envoys were prepared to meet in the United Arab Emirates as part of the US-brokered talks.
UAE’s foreign ministry said the talks are part of efforts to ‘promote dialogue and identify political solutions to the crisis.’
The White House described the first day of talks on Friday as productive.
The peace negotiations come after world leaders gathered in Davos for the World Economic Forum.
Trump has angered his allies after claiming that Nato forces, including British troops, avoided the frontline in Afghanistan.
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