United States has reportedly informed Volodymyr Zelenskyy that Ukraine must accept a peace framework crafted by Washington and Moscow, which would include ceding territory to Russia and reducing its army, according to sources consulted by Reuters. The potential agreement comes at a critical time for Zelensky, who is facing Russian advances in the east and an internal corruption scandal.
The Ukrainian President called for strong and effective US leadership to end the war. Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that ending the conflict will require "difficult concessions" from both sides. According to Axios, the US plan would involve Ukraine ceding control of eastern areas it currently does not hold in exchange for security guarantees against future Russian aggression.
Additionally, Zelenskyy provided an update on the Russian attack that destroyed a residential block in the city of Ternopil on Thursday, resulting in one of the deadliest massacres since the war began. So far, 26 deaths have been confirmed, including three children, with 22 people still missing.
France: Russia continues to block peace in Ukraine
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot stated that it is Russian President Vladimir Putin who is obstructing peace in Ukraine upon his arrival in Brussels to meet with his European counterparts. He also mentioned that the Ukrainian people do not want any form of surrender.
Zelensky confirms 22 missing in Ternopil after Russian attack that left 26 dead
"Throughout the night, our rescuers worked in Ternopil, and search and rescue operations continue. Twenty-two people are still missing; the effort to find them persists. Over 230 rescuers from nine regions of Ukraine have been deployed in the area. In some areas, due to severe destruction and fragmentation of structures, only manual work is possible, making the search difficult. So far, 26 deaths have been confirmed, including three children. My condolences to their families and loved ones," Zelensky wrote on the social network X.
Kallas: Any peace plan for Ukraine needs Kiev and Europe
Peace in Ukraine can only be achieved with the involvement of Europeans and Ukrainians, stated EU foreign affairs chief Kaja Kallas on Thursday in response to the new peace plan promoted by the United States.
Washington has developed a peace proposal for Ukraine that includes Kiev ceding territory and halving its army, according to a source familiar with the matter who spoke to AFP on Wednesday.
"For a plan to work, it is necessary for Ukrainians and Europeans to be involved, that is very clear," the official told the press in Brussels. "We have to understand that in this war, there is an aggressor and a victim. Therefore, we have not heard of any concessions from Russia," she added.
Russia shoots down 65 Ukrainian drones
The Russian Ministry of Defense reported that Russian anti-aircraft defenses shot down a total of 65 Ukrainian drones overnight. Most of them were concentrated in the regions of Voronezh (18), Ryazan (16), and Belgorod (14).
Another seven drones were intercepted in Tula, four in Bryansk, three in Lipetsk, two in Tambov, and one in the Ukrainian region of Crimea, annexed by Russia in 2014.
Yesterday, Defense also claimed to have shot down 65 Ukrainian drones over four Russian regions and the Black and Azov Seas. On the same day, pro-Russian authorities in Donetsk, annexed in 2022, admitted that 65% of the region's population remains without electricity following a Ukrainian drone and missile attack on Tuesday.
Ukrainian drones leave over 16,000 people without power in Kursk
Around 16,000 people were left without electricity in the Russian region of Kursk after a Ukrainian drone attack, announced regional governor Alexander Jinshtein on Thursday.
"Last night, the enemy attacked power substations in the border area (with Ukraine). The attack left over 16,000 people in the districts of Glushovski, Rylski, and Korenevski without power," Jinshtein communicated on his Telegram account. The governor added that emergency power supply was restored in Rylski.
Independent media also reported a possible attack on the oil refinery in Ryazan, a neighboring region of Moscow. Its governor, Pavel Malkov, stated on social media that a company had been damaged, although he did not provide further details. "The falling debris caused a fire in a business. According to preliminary reports, there were no casualties, and the material damage is being assessed," he explained.
United States pressures Ukraine to accept a peace plan involving territorial concessions
United States has reportedly informed Volodymyr Zelenskyy that Ukraine must accept a peace framework crafted by Washington and Moscow, which would include ceding territory to Russia and reducing its army, according to sources consulted by Reuters.
The potential agreement comes at a critical time for Zelensky, who is facing Russian advances in the east and an internal corruption scandal. The Ukrainian President, currently visiting Turkey, called for strong and effective US leadership to end the war. Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that ending the conflict will require "difficult concessions" from both sides.
According to Axios, the US plan would involve Ukraine ceding control of eastern areas it currently does not hold in exchange for security guarantees against future Russian aggression.