Ukraine port city burns after massive Russian attack, Trump optimistic

Ukraine port city burns after massive Russian attack, Trump optimistic

The South Ukrainian port city of Odesa was set fire to a large -scale Russian drone attack late Thursday evening. This happened just a few hours after the optimistic statements by US President Donald Trump about the end of the war and before the peace talks set for Monday.

optimism about peace talks

Trump, who recently led separate phone calls with the Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Wolodymyr Selenskyj about the implementation of a partial ceasefire, expressed optimism on the view of an end to the war on Thursday. He said, "We are making pretty good progress in this regard."

conversations in Saudi Arabia

delegations from Russia and the USA will resume the talks to terminate the war in Saudi Arabia on Monday, as representatives of both countries reported, according to a Earlier discussion round in February. Selenskyj announced that a team from Ukraine would also take part, and asked Putin to "stop unnecessary demands that only extend the war."

Russian attacks on Odesa

hours after Trump's statements, Russia started a “massive” drone attack on Odesa, in which civil goals were hit and at least three people, including an minor, were injured, local officials reported. There were a high -rise and a shopping center among the goals, said local governor Oleh Kiper.

further attacks in the region

In addition, at least five other people were injured in Russian attacks on Thursday near the South Ukrainian city of Zaporizhzhia, the governor Ivan Fedorov added. In the Kirovohrad region in Central Lucraine, almost 200 drones were used overnight, which injured ten people, including four children, and numerous houses, a church and important infrastructure, according to Selenskyj.

Ukraine attacks military base in Russia

In the night of Thursday, Ukraine attacked a military base deep inside Russia, which led to a huge explosion and damaged nearby houses, reported Russian and Ukrainian officials. The Ukrainian military leadership confirmed that it carried out the attack on the Angels air base, which is more than 465 miles away from the Ukrainian border, because it is used by the Russian Air Force to start rocket attacks on the Ukrainian territory and terrorist attacks on the civilian population.

demands of Ukraine and reactions

Selenskyj already accused Putin on Wednesday that he had broken his promise by having Russia attacked Ukraine with 150 drones, including attacks on energy devices. He explained that he was "ready" to suspend attacks on Russia's energy and civil infrastructure, and that his team would prepare a list of civil goals that should be incorporated into a future deal.

The conditions for a comprehensive ceasefire

Putin announced on Tuesday after a lengthy phone call to Trump to temporarily suspend attacks on energy infrastructure. A communiqué of the Kremlin said: "Vladimir Putin reacted positively to this initiative and immediately gave the corresponding command to the Russian armed forces." As part of its demands for a more comprehensive ceasefire, the Kremlin set up several strict conditions that Putin brought into play beforehand - including a stop of all military and secret service support for Kiev as well as a stop of any Ukrainian mobilization or upgrade during this period.

support from Europe

Selenskyj spoke to European leaders on Thursday, who reaffirmed their support for Ukraine, and asked other western leaders to support their words of support for Kiev through acts, while Trump continues to drive his approach to Russia. "The stronger they are on the battlefield, the stronger they are at the negotiating table," said the top official of the European Union, Kaja Kallas, according to Reuters.

outlook on upcoming discussions

The meetings in the Saudi Arabian capital Riad on Monday are deal , the Trump and Putin have, develop and address other negotiation areas in the direction of a complete ceasefire. According to the Foreign Ministry, no high-ranking US officials will be present.

reports of CNNS Mariya Knight, Kit Maher, Olivia Kemp, Alayna Treene, Christian Edwards, Clare Sebastian, Svitlana Vlasova and Anna Chernova.