Zelensky speaks to US envoys as Trump lashes out

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky spoke with top US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner on Sunday in an attempt to ease tensions in the ongoing conflict with Russia. The clash between Zelensky and US President Donald Trump stems from Trump's refusal to approve new sanctions on Russia and his recent diesel deal with Moscow, which has fueled concerns in both Ukraine and Europe that the White House may be aligning with Moscow.

The conflict has escalated with both countries targeting each other's energy sites, leaving thousands in Ukraine without power. In response, Zelensky carried out a large drone attack on Saint Petersburg, Russia's second-largest city, for the first time since the beginning of the war in 2022. Moscow responded by claiming it had shot down 144 Ukrainian drones, with state media stating this was the largest attack on the city since the war began.

Trump, in a recent statement on his Truth Social platform, claimed to be negotiating peace between Russia and Ukraine, while asserting that Zelensky did not care about ending the war and was profiting from European aid. Zelensky, in turn, expressed hope for Trump to change his decisions and emphasized Ukraine's readiness to work constructively towards ending the conflict. He also mentioned that Ukraine is seeking US Patriot air defense systems to counter Russian missile threats.