How Ukraine Is Navigating Trump’s Latest U-Turn
Zelensky joins Oslo talks as a worrying winter looms for Kyiv.
U.S. President Donald Trump expressed openness to talks with Russia and China regarding Ukraine's future, stating that "Russia, frankly, has been fine on Ukraine. They haven't been doing much." This announcement came during a surge in Russian drone and ballistic missile attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure, including hospitals, schools, and energy facilities.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky urgently requested the restoration of Starshield, SpaceX's military internet service, along with intelligence sharing with Washington and the delivery of Patriot missiles. These requests were prompted by the intensified pace of Moscow's aerial offensive. In September, Russia launched nearly 4,000 attacks on civilian targets in Ukraine, a 65% increase from the previous year.
The attacks have resulted in over 300 deaths in the past month alone, with a 85% increase compared to the previous year. Russian attacks on energy targets have intensified, with 76 strikes in just one week alone. Ukrainian President Zelensky met with U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff in Oslo, Norway, and Jared Kushner remotely to discuss another round of talks, with Zelensky proposing a mutual cease-fire on energy facilities, contingent upon Moscow's reciprocation.
The Ukrainian energy system has been under significant strain, with Ukraine losing about two-thirds of its prewar electricity generation capacity. Despite these challenges, Ukraine has bolstered its defenses, including protective shielding and air defenses for power plants, and decentralized its electricity system using renewable energy sources.
However, Russian drones and long-range ballistic missiles have proven challenging for Ukraine to counter effectively, leading to concerns among Zelensky following a sudden U.S. policy reversal. This includes restrictions on Ukraine's use of Starshield, uncertainty over U.S. intelligence sharing, and a refusal to transfer Patriot interceptors to Ukraine.
Despite nationwide damage from Russian strikes, Ukraine's situation in Kyiv is particularly dire, with all three power plants offline and high-voltage transmission lines destroyed. As a result, nearly all electricity in the city now has to be supplied from outside.
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