US Diplomat Scheduled to Hold Talks with Zelenskyy, EU Officials in Berlin
In a major diplomatic push, the former US president’s personal representative is scheduled to hold discussions with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and other leaders from Europe in Berlin over the coming days, while US officials advocates for a workable strategy to halt the current hostilities.
Peace Discussions and Truce Efforts
Germany confirmed it is hosting American and Kyiv teams for weekend consultations regarding a potential ceasefire, before a larger meeting involving European leaders and President Zelenskyy scheduled for Monday. In a national address, Zelenskyy personally confirmed the upcoming meeting with the US representative Steve Witkoff: “A key aspect, I will be conferring with envoys of President Trump, and there will additionally be meetings with our European partners, with numerous leaders, regarding the establishment of peace – a diplomatic accord to terminate the war,” he noted.
Kremlin Conditions for a Truce
In parallel, Russian senior diplomat Yuri Ushakov restated that Russia would exclusively give its blessing to a cessation of hostilities once Ukraine’s military have withdrawn from parts of the eastern oblast they still control. Ushakov added that Russian police and interior ministry forces would be stationed in parts of the Donbas region even if the area were to become a demilitarised zone under a potential peace plan – a demand viewed as a non-starter for Ukraine.
Overnight Strikes Hit Ukrainian Infrastructure
During a separate escalation, Russian forces attacked five Ukrainian regions during the night, concentrating on the nation’s energy and port infrastructure, according to President Zelenskyy. He indicated the attacks involved over 450 drones and 30 rockets. With the mercury close to freezing, the minister of internal affairs, Ihor Klymenko, reported more than a million people were left in the dark.
Additionally, an attack on the coastal hub of Odesa caused grain silos being set ablaze, as stated by Ukrainian deputy prime minister Oleksiy Kuleba. Regional authorities stated that two individuals were injured in attacks on the surrounding area.
Security and Humanitarian Developments
Against a backdrop of mounting anxieties about the Russian threat, Germany stated it will dispatch a military contingent to Poland to support a project to strengthen the country’s border with Belarus. Poland, a staunch ally of Ukraine, unveiled intentions last year to secure a significant section of its border. The main mission of the deployed personnel will be “engineering activities,” a military representative said.
Regarding a different event, about 480 passengers were safely removed from a train traveling between the city in Poland of Przemysl and Kyiv after authorities responded to a report about a threat. Nobody was injured, and authorities provided no further details on the specific threat. Poland's authorities are on high alert due to several incidents to disrupt rail traffic on the route connecting Warsaw to the Ukrainian border.
In other news, Ukrainian naval officials accused Russia of deliberately attacking a commercial ship from Turkey transporting sunflower oil to Egypt with a drone on Saturday. The statement reported the ship ‘VIVA’ was hit but continued on its journey, with all 11 crew wounded.
Finally, Ukraine welcomed back 114 prisoners freed by Belarus on Saturday, per the country’s PoW coordination centre. The released individuals are to get medical attention, and any nationals of Belarus who wish will be transported to Poland or Lithuania.