On Tuesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed his hope that U.S. President Donald Trump would visit Ukraine, coinciding with the latest efforts led by the United States to negotiate a peace deal aimed at ending Russia's ongoing invasion of Ukraine. During a group WhatsApp chat with reporters, Zelenskyy remarked on the importance of Trump's potential visit, stating, "I told him that we would be glad to see him. It is very useful for Ukraine."
Zelenskyy suggested that if Trump were to travel directly to Ukraine rather than stopping in Poland, it would signal a significant opportunity for a ceasefire. "If U.S. President Trump flies to Ukraine, then this will indicate that we definitely have the opportunity to count on a ceasefire," he noted. This statement comes as Trump recently indicated that the negotiating teams were getting closer to achieving a peace deal to end the conflict, which has persisted since February 2022.
Earlier this week, Zelenskyy traveled to Florida to meet with Trump, where they discussed a 20-point plan that Zelenskyy believes could serve as a foundation for concluding the war. Additionally, Trump has had conversations with Russian President Vladimir Putin both before and after his meeting with Zelenskyy, as reported by the White House.
During the same conversation, Zelenskyy mentioned that Ukraine is considering the presence of American troops as part of a broader settlement and necessary post-war security guarantees. "These are U.S. troops and that is why it is America that makes such decisions," he stated. "We would like this. This would be a strong position in security guarantees," he added, emphasizing ongoing discussions with Trump and representatives from the "Coalition of the Willing."
In response to Russian allegations of a rift between the U.S. and Ukraine, Zelenskyy firmly denied any discord. Moscow had accused Kyiv, without evidence, of conducting a drone attack on Putin's residence in the Novgorod region. Despite the tensions, Zelenskyy reassured that Ukraine is actively working with American officials, stating, "Despite all the media accusations of the Russians about the breakdown of our talks with the Americans, we are working every day." He revealed that key negotiators had multiple calls with American representatives on the same day.
Zelenskyy also took to social media to announce a gathering of national security advisers from the Coalition of the Willing nations, which is set to take place in Ukraine on January 3, followed by a meeting of national leaders in France on January 6. This underscores Ukraine's commitment to solidifying its international alliances amidst the ongoing conflict.
Amidst diplomatic efforts, the situation on the ground remains tense. Ukraine's air force reported that Russia launched 127 drones into Ukrainian territory overnight, with 101 being either shot down or suppressed. The southern port city of Odesa was notably targeted, resulting in injuries to at least six individuals, including three children, as reported by Odesa Governor Oleh Kiper.
Kiper detailed that four multi-apartment residential buildings and numerous vehicles were damaged during the drone strikes, highlighting the ongoing threat to civilian infrastructure posed by Russian attacks. He condemned these actions as "terrorist tactics" aimed at innocent civilians, further emphasizing the need for robust security guarantees.
In addition to the drone strikes, Kiper reported fresh attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure in the Odesa region. Throughout December, 10 substations suffered damage due to enemy shelling, and since the beginning of the year, Russia has targeted 25 energy facilities in the region. The cumulative damage has been substantial, leading to extensive repair work that will take significant time to complete.
On the Russian side, the Defense Ministry claimed to have shot down 86 Ukrainian drones during the same period, with a significant number reportedly intercepted over the Black Sea. This ongoing aerial conflict underscores the urgent need for a diplomatic resolution to the war.
As both sides continue to navigate this complex landscape, the possibility of peace remains a critical focus for Ukraine, the U.S., and their international partners.