Ukrainian negotiators will meet with envoys of Donald Trump in the United States on Friday and Saturday, President Volodymyr Zelensky announced, as diplomatic efforts to find a way out of the war with Russia intensify amid one of the deadliest attacks in weeks.
The announcement came as rescuers counted the dead from a Russian strike that hit two buses in Kramatorsk, a key frontline city in eastern Ukraine, killing at least 30 people and wounding 18 others. Three more people were reported killed in Kyiv.
Zelensky Delegation to Meet Kushner and Witkoff
Speaking to journalists, Zelensky said the Ukrainian delegation is expected to hold a two-day meeting in the United States with Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff, two figures close to the former US president.
“The Ukrainian delegation must meet tomorrow in the United States with Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff. (…) The meeting should last two days,” Zelensky said, adding that he also expects “the participation of a European team.”
The talks underscore the intense international maneuvering around the conflict as Kyiv seeks to shore up support and explore possible paths toward ending the war, now in its 1,689th day.
Deadly Strike on Kramatorsk Buses
The attack in Kramatorsk, located near the eastern front line, was one of the most lethal single incidents in recent weeks. Ukrainian authorities vowed a “response” to the strike, which targeted civilian transport.
- At least 30 people killed and 18 wounded in the Kramatorsk bus strike.
- Three additional deaths reported in the capital, Kyiv.
- Kyiv has promised retaliation for the attack.
The strike adds to a mounting toll from a Russian campaign that has increasingly targeted bridges and key infrastructure in and around Kyiv in recent weeks.
Kyiv Shifts into ‘Survival Mode’
The sustained Russian strikes on critical infrastructure have pushed the Ukrainian capital into what its mayor described as “survival mode” as winter approaches.
The targeting of bridges and power-related facilities has raised fears of a harsh season for residents, with authorities scrambling to repair damage and keep basic services running.
Rubio Warns of Dangerous Impasse
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned that the war between Russia and Ukraine has reached a “very dangerous” impasse, cautioning that the belligerents may gamble on escalation to break the deadlock.
According to Rubio, the standoff could end in one of two ways: “a negotiated settlement, in which each side must give up something to achieve peace,” or “an escalation” that “could eventually take the form of a sabotage campaign in neighboring countries that are NATO members.”
The warning highlights growing concerns in Western capitals that the conflict could spill over beyond Ukraine’s borders, particularly into NATO territory.
Drone Attack on Yandex Facility
Separately, a facility belonging to Yandex, often described as Russia’s equivalent of Google, was put out of service by two Ukrainian drones, according to reports.
The incident reflects the expanding scope of the conflict, with both sides increasingly targeting infrastructure and technology assets far from the front lines.
What to Watch Next
All eyes will be on the US talks set to begin Friday, as Ukraine’s negotiators sit down with Trump’s envoys. Whether the meeting produces a concrete push toward negotiations or further entrenchment remains uncertain, with Rubio’s stark assessment underscoring the high stakes for Kyiv, Moscow, and their international partners.
