Tensions continue to escalate as Russia initiated a fresh assault on Ukraine on Saturday, just before significant peace negotiations are set to take place.
Donald Trump is scheduled to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymir Zelensky on December 28, aiming to resolve the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia.
This war has persisted for nearly five years, and the potential success of these discussions remains uncertain.
In an interview with Axios, Zelensky expressed his willingness to consider a referendum on a peace plan, but insists that for this to proceed, Moscow must agree to a 60-day ceasefire.
Nonetheless, Zelensky is still doubtful about Russia’s commitment to Trump’s peace proposal.
He mentioned to the outlet, “I have some intelligence … but I’m at the moment when I want to believe only the words of leaders.”
Trump stated to Politico on Friday that Zelensky ‘doesn’t have anything until I approve it’ but is hopeful for a productive meeting on Sunday.
Prior to this meeting, Russia executed an attack in the early hours of Saturday morning, prompting NATO fighter jets to be mobilized.
Missiles and drones targeted Kyiv, while regions in the north-east and south of Ukraine were also attacked.
In response, Poland deployed its fighter jets as a precautionary step.
Poland also temporarily shut down two airports, Rzeszów and Lublin, located in south-eastern Poland, near the Ukrainian border.
The fighter jets were reportedly deployed at around 2 am, concluding their mission by 7 am.
As reported by an express source, Tymur Tkachenko, head of Kyiv’s City Military Administration, confirmed that two multistorey residential buildings in different city areas were hit.
Ukraine’s Emergency Service reported further strikes on industrial and residential structures in the broader Kyiv region.
This marks the second instance of NATO jets being mobilized due to Russian actions.
On Boxing Day, Romania, a NATO member, had to deploy jets from the 86th Air Base in Feteșt after drone attacks targeted energy and port infrastructure in Odesa and nearby areas close to the Danube River’s estuary.
Romania issued an official statement noting, “The air surveillance system of the Ministry of National Defence identified groups of drones launched by the Russian Federation towards the Ukrainian ports on the Danube.”
However, the nation clarified that there were no unauthorized intrusions into its national airspace during the mission.