The Lindsey Graham Act — named after the deceased US senator who sponsored the bill — had allowed Trump the authority to impose duties up to 100 percent on major buyers of Russian oil and gas. The legislation, which Trump signed into law last month, targeted Russia’s energy and defense sectors, President Vladimir Putin and other senior officials, as well as Moscow’s so-called shadow fleet of tankers used to circumvent Western sanctions.

Trump’s reversal on the Russia sanctions comes after he struck a deal with Putin to ease sanctions on Russia in exchange for Moscow releasing large amounts of diesel into global markets. The US president’s war in Iran has sparked crippling oil shortages and price spikes, creating major headwinds for his Republican Party ahead of midterm elections next month. Asked if he was being made a scapegoat for Trump’s domestic woes ahead of the vote, Zelensky just smiled. “This is my answer,” he told journalists in Brussels, after an extended pause.

In another sign of strained relations between the United States and Ukraine, Trump branded Kyiv’s actions a “disgrace” after Zelensky ordered his forces to resume strikes on Russian refineries. “I defend the interests of Ukraine and the Ukrainian people exclusively,” Zelensky said after talks with EU leaders. The breakdown between Trump and Zelensky has fuelled fears that the US leader is siding with Moscow. Those concerns have been heightened by disruptions to a critical US-provided satellite system that has hampered Ukraine’s ability to counter Russia’s intense bombardments.

Ukraine uses technology from Elon Musk’s SpaceX for battlefield communications, but the tech billionaire — a virulent Zelensky critic — said his company was not behind the disruption, while a US official denied any intervention by Trump.

– ‘Increase pressure’ –

European leaders put on a show of unity with Zelensky as he grappled with Trump. “This is no time to withdraw the support to Ukraine. This is no time to relieve Russia’s sanctions,” European Council chief Antonio Costa said. “Now it is time to increase our support, to increase our pressure.” Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten said that “the situation in Ukraine is currently truly dire, with numerous Russian attacks and a tense relationship between Ukraine and the US.”

“It is crucial that we, as Europe, demonstrate our unconditional support for them today — and explore what additional steps we can take,” he said. Zelensky asked the bloc — Ukraine’s biggest international backer — to provide more Patriot missiles to shoot down Russian missiles and come up with an extra 70 billion euros ($79 billion) in support next year to help Kyiv keep fighting. Ukraine has been struggling to shoot down Russian missiles and has been left scrambling to boost defences ahead of winter, when temperatures can plummet to as low as -20C and Moscow’s attacks threaten electricity, heating, and water systems.

Russian strikes on the southern cities of Kherson and Zaporizhzhia killed a 64-year-old man and at least 17 people, including an 11-year-old girl, Ukrainian authorities said Saturday. EU chief Ursula von der Leyen confirmed that Zelensky’s 70-billion euro plea “has to be covered” and urged partner countries to “step in” and help. French President Emmanuel Macron said Kyiv’s backers will analyse the demand, while German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said the European Union will discuss it before the end of the year.

The EU is currently paying out instalments of a 90-billion-euro loan for Kyiv that was set to help cover funding to the end of 2027. But Ukrainian authorities have warned they will still face a major budget black hole as Russian strikes have battered the country’s economy. The talks on new funding have reignited calls for the EU to tap around 200 billion euros in frozen Russian central bank assets to fund Ukraine. “The frozen assets are there. That’s what should be used for supporting Ukraine,” said Latvian premier Andris Kulbergs. But there seems little momentum on that front as Belgium, where most of the funds are held, remains opposed.

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Musk drew a distinction between the Starshield system, which Ukraine relies on for battlefield communications, and the parallel Starlink civilian satellite system, which Ukraine also deploys but is not allowed to use for offensive operations. Both were designed by Musk’s SpaceX. Musk was responding to a post on X by Ukraine’s former defense minister Mykhailo Fedorov, who said that “Starlink connectivity at speeds of up to 160 km/h is being restored,” but that “removing Starshield’s speed limit entirely is now critical for Ukraine’s defense.” Fedorov then thanked Musk for his “continued support.”

Ukrainian defense officials have suggested Washington is behind slower speeds reported on some internet terminals that help the country’s military hit Russian-occupied territory and operate interceptor drones. Ukraine has also accused the United States of helping Russia by failing to warn it of incoming missile strikes, with Kyiv hit by ballistic missiles for two nights in a row before air raid sirens could sound to warn people to take cover.

Opposition Democrats in the US Senate and House denounced the Trump Administration over the reported interrupted connections. “Trump’s making a choice — and it directly aids Putin’s slaughter of Ukrainian civilians,” House Foreign Affairs Committee Democrats said in a post on X, describing restrictions as “unconscionable” while Ukraine faced an onslaught of Russian drones and missiles. In the Senate’s Foreign Relations Committee, top Democrat Jeanne Shaheen said the “restrictions on Ukraine’s access to Starshield must stop immediately,” adding that “lives are at stake.”

Shaheen also said that the defense department is required to notify “Congress if it pauses or downgrades intelligence sharing with Ukraine,” and called on Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth to immediately provide that notification if there are changes. Republican Senator Tom Tillis also voiced concern, posting on X: “Supporting Ukrainian sovereignty — or at the very least, allowing for it — should not be a gray area for the US government or for American corporations.”

Trump, facing key midterm elections next month in which fuel prices are a major issue, has blamed Ukrainian strikes on Russian oil refineries for the squeeze on supplies and increase in prices at the pump. A senior official in Kyiv confirmed that the United States had in recent days threatened to stop providing intelligence about Russian missile launches that Ukraine uses to thwart attacks. Trump denied doing so on Tuesday.

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Trump’s announcement came two days after he declared a temporary easing of US sanctions on Russian diesel, prompting outrage by European allies and Kyiv, who said it would only embolden Russian President Vladimir Putin. “Effective immediately, there is an ENERGY CEASEFIRE in the War between Russia and Ukraine,” Trump said early Sunday on Truth Social. “Both parties have agreed. Do not break it!”

Zelensky appeared to express surprise at the announcement, saying he was seeking further details, but added that “Ukraine supports the ceasefire, and it is important that Russia support it as well.” Russia has yet to confirm its agreement. Zelensky later said that multiple Ukrainian power stations had been hit and that “Ukrainian skies have been infested with Russian ‘shaheds’ all day,” referring to a type of drone originally designed by Iran that is now used extensively by Russia.

Since launching a full-scale invasion of its neighbor in 2022, Russia has systematically hit Ukrainian energy infrastructure, leading to energy and heating shortages, prompting Ukraine to hit back at Russian oil refineries it says fund the war. More recently, Trump’s war in Iran has led to oil shortages and ensuing price spikes, creating major headwinds for his Republican Party ahead of midterm elections early next month.

– ‘Up to our people’ –

The ceasefire appeared to garner support on Sunday from Ukraine’s key western allies, including the UK, France, Canada, and the European Commission. Several leaders called on Russia to uphold the deal. But that support was in contrast to broad criticism of the US-Russia diesel deal earlier in the week, which has led to mounting tensions between Trump and Zelensky. Zelensky said the diesel deal was a “weak decision,” while several of Ukraine’s European allies expressed outrage and pledged to increase pressure on Moscow.

Seven US senators – including four Republicans – released a statement Sunday blasting the diesel deal with Russia, saying it was illegal. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney added to the chorus on Sunday after a call with Zelensky, saying the diesel deal “is in direct opposition to the efforts of Ukraine, Canada and our allies to create peace and stability in Europe.” Asked about the criticism on Saturday, Trump said it was “time for Ukraine to get a new president” who would finally settle the war. Zelensky pushed back, telling ABC News that “it’s up to our society, up to our people to choose one or another leader.” He said that fuel prices were rising because of the war in the Middle East and the blocked Strait of Hormuz. “Everybody understands it,” he said.

– Support for Zelensky –

Germany’s foreign minister said Sunday that Berlin continued to “fully support” Zelensky. “Europe needs stability and that means that we are very clearly continuing to stay by the side of Ukraine and its government,” Johann Wadephul said in Berlin. EU chief Ursula von der Leyen also backed the Ukrainian leader “as he leads the fight for his people’s freedom.” UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham also said his country “strongly supports President Trump’s call today for a sustained energy ceasefire to start now.”

In Kyiv, several residents expressed concern about Trump’s call for Zelensky to be replaced. “I believe our president is the best, and Americans should think about their own president,” said 40-year-old Olesia Goncharuk. “We Ukrainians decide our own fate and our own freedom, and we are free people,” she told AFP.

– Daniel STUBLEN with Caleb DAVIS in Warsaw

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The largely symbolic move is aimed at showing US President Donald Trump that allies have fully taken over the financing of Ukraine’s fight against Russia as he has stopped Washington’s support. And it is meant to demonstrate to Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky — who will attend the summit — that backing remains steadfast as his country appears to be turning the tide in the war. Diplomats say that the financing from the European Union loan and the pledges they have made already mean they are on course to reach the 70 billion euros in each year.

Germany — now the largest backer of Ukraine — had pushed to have the commitment put in writing as it seeks to drive other European countries to do more. Officials said that there was some pushback from Italy over putting the pledge in black and white, but that it was eventually approved Friday by ambassadors at NATO. Zelensky is to attend a dinner of NATO leaders on Tuesday but will not be part of the main summit the day after as the alliance keeps him on the sidelines. Officials do not want to make Ukraine too prominent an issue for fear of upsetting Trump as his efforts to end the war have hit a wall.

But the US leader appeared to signal he could be warming to Ukraine at a G7 meeting last month and other leaders may seek to build on any perceived momentum.

– Iran statement –

The declaration — much like the summit itself — has been kept short to minimise the chances of a bust-up with Trump. The NATO gathering in Turkey comes after the US leader lashed out at European countries over their response to his war on Iran. Diplomats said the declaration will state that Iran should never have a nuclear weapon and call on Tehran to “respect freedom of navigation” in the Strait of Hormuz. A number of European countries have moved naval assets close to the strait to help keep it open once conditions allow.

But there will be no mention of a potential European or NATO mission in the statement as the situation remains volatile despite a fragile ceasefire deal. Allies will be hoping to use the summit to convince Trump that they are making good on a pledge made last year to boost defence-related spending to five percent of GDP by 2035. Diplomats said the declaration will call for a “stronger Europe in a stronger NATO” as Washington presses its allies to take responsibility for their own defences. Trump signalled on Thursday that he was still upset at the pace of Europe’s spending — saying it was “ridiculous” for the United States to continue its “one sided” relationship to NATO.

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The speech was warmly received, even as he ranged over subjects from climate change and the need for restraints on presidential power to the importance of NATO and the defense of Ukraine — sensitive issues for those on the Republican side of the aisle. “The challenges we face are too great for any one nation to bear alone,” Charles said, warning that global challenges require closer cooperation between the United States and its traditional partners.

Addressing lawmakers during celebrations marking 250 years since American independence, Charles stressed that “unyielding resolve” was needed to secure a “just and lasting peace” in Ukraine, which has been fighting a full-scale invasion by Russia since 2022. Trump earlier hailed Britain as America’s closest ally as he welcomed Charles and Queen Camilla to the White House on a four-day state visit.

Speaking after a pomp-filled welcome on the South Lawn featuring a 21-gun salute, Trump struck a markedly warmer tone than in recent criticism of Starmer. “In the centuries since we won our independence, Americans have had no closer friends than the British,” Trump said, hailing the “special relationship” and the two countries’ military partnership. Cannons rang out while a military band played the British and US national anthems, before Charles shook hands with top Trump administration officials and inspected troops on the lawn with the president.

Afterward, four US jets roared over the White House in a noisy flypast as Trump, Charles, Camilla, and First Lady Melania Trump watched. The visit comes at a delicate moment, with Trump criticizing Britain over its stance on Iran and other policies. Despite the tensions, the US president struck a jovial tone, joking about his Scottish-born mother having “a crush on Charles” ahead of talks in the Oval Office. “He’s a fantastic person. They’re incredible people and it’s a real honor,” Trump told reporters after the meeting, which took place behind closed doors.

The king’s address to Congress — the first by a British monarch since Queen Elizabeth II in 1991 — was the centerpiece of the visit. Charles pointed to shared democratic traditions, describing Congress as a “citadel of democracy” and stressing the common legal roots of the two nations. He noted that Magna Carta had been cited in more than 160 US Supreme Court cases, highlighting — to rapt applause from the opposition Democrats — the principle that executive power is subject to checks and balances.

The monarch also emphasized deep defense and economic ties, saying cooperation in security, technology, and trade remains central to the alliance. “Our defense, intelligence, and security ties are hardwired together,” he said. Security has been tight during the visit following an alleged assassination attempt against Trump at a weekend Washington media gala. “Such acts of violence will never succeed,” Charles said.

The royal couple will attend a state dinner later on Tuesday, capping a visit that has mixed ceremony with sensitive diplomacy. – Danny Kemp and Frankie Taggart

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“When you see the scale…you then start to understand how terrifying this is, and that all this time, while we are waiting for some kind of negotiations, there is children’s life at stake,” said Mariia Hlyten, a 24-year-old Ukrainian activist. “They have to be returned immediately, as soon as possible.”

Congressmen Richard Blumenthal, Jamie Raskin, and Michael McCaul took turns speaking about the plight of Ukraine’s missing children at Thursday’s event, coordinated by Razom for Ukraine in partnership with the American Coalition for Ukraine. “What Vladimir Putin is doing here is not trying to take territory alone. He’s not trying to defeat a nation alone,” Blumenthal, a Senate Democrat, said. The Russian leader is “trying to destroy the people, that is the purpose of abducting children, changing their names, re-education. Killing their identity, if not the children themselves — making sure that they never grow up speaking their own language, knowing their own religion and culture,” Blumenthal added.

Democrat Jamie Raskin called Putin’s actions “a blatant violation” of human rights, international humanitarian law, and the laws of war. “It’s a war crime and if it’s done intentionally…it is part of the proof of genocide,” Raskin said. Hlyten’s relative, fellow Ukrainian Arkady Dolina, stood nearby with a large blue and yellow flag draped over his shoulders at the event. “Absolutely horrible,” the 28-year-old exclaimed, referring to what he said was a vast number of kidnappings from occupied territories by Russia since it invaded Ukraine in 2022. Moscow denies the claims.

“This is the continuation of a centuries-long Russian policy to abduct, indoctrinate kids, and then send them as their cannon fodder to fight their stupid, useless, brutal wars,” Dolina said. In February, President Volodymyr Zelensky said 2,000 Ukrainian children had been brought back from Russia and Russian-occupied territories, but that thousands more remained “captive.” In March, the United States announced the creation of a $25 million fund to aid in the return of Ukrainian children, a cause that First Lady Melania Trump has also spoken out on.

The International Criminal Court in 2023 issued an arrest warrant for Putin and his children’s rights commissioner “for the war crime of unlawful deportation” of children. Kyiv says Russia has indoctrinated them, forced many to adopt Russian citizenship, and tried to scrub them of their Ukrainian identity — accusations supported by testimony from Ukrainians who managed to leave Russian occupation.

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The meetings are the latest round of negotiations spearheaded by Trump that so far have failed to make meaningful progress on ending Europe’s deadliest conflict since World War II. Washington is pushing to bring an end to the war triggered by Russia’s full-scale invasion, which has left hundreds of thousands dead and destroyed swathes of territory, particularly in eastern and southern Ukraine. Russian state news agency Tass reported the Kremlin’s economic affairs envoy, Kirill Dmitriev, also plans to be in the Swiss city. “Dmitriev plans to arrive in Geneva on Thursday to pursue negotiations with the Americans on economic issues,” it cited an unnamed source as saying.

Kyiv hopes tangible progress in Geneva could pave the way for talks at the leaders’ level. Hours before the meeting, Russian forces launched a wave of attacks in Ukraine before dawn. AFP journalists heard several explosions in central Kyiv shortly after authorities warned of incoming targets. The Ukrainian Air Force reported high-speed objects speeding toward the capital, and Tymur Tkachenko, head of the city’s military administration, later said Russia was using drones and ballistic missiles for its bombardment of the capital. Attacks also took place in the regions of Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia and Dnipropetrovsk, with officials reporting seven wounded in Kharkiv alone.

– Preparatory talks – Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky spoke with US President Donald Trump on Wednesday ahead of the talks, with both Witkoff and Kushner part of the 30-minute call. Zelensky said on social media that they “discussed the issues that our representatives will address tomorrow in Geneva during the bilateral meeting, as well as preparations for the next meeting of the full negotiating teams in a trilateral format at the very beginning of March.”

“We expect this meeting to create an opportunity to move talks to the leaders’ level. President Trump supports this sequence of steps. This is the only way to resolve all the complex and sensitive issues and finally end the war,” he added. The Ukrainian leader has already said that a meeting with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, should take place to resolve the most difficult issues.

The talks, based on an American plan unveiled at the end of last year, are deadlocked primarily on the fate of the Donbas, the industrial region in eastern Ukraine that has been the epicentre of the fighting. Russia is pushing for full control of Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk region and has threatened to take it by force if Kyiv does not cave at the negotiating table. But Ukraine has rejected the demand and signalled it would not sign a deal without security guarantees that deter Russia from invading again.

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Key leaders have pushed the message that this is essential for Europe to counter a hostile Russia, with NATO chief Mark Rutte saying that “a strong Europe in a strong NATO means that the transatlantic bond will be stronger than ever”. “This is the right time for a strong Europe,” said French President Emmanuel Macron, who stressed on Friday that the continent was “clear in the support of Ukraine” and “building its own architecture of security”. “This Europe will be a good ally and partner for the United States of America.”

British leader Keir Starmer was expected to tell the conference that Europe is “a sleeping giant” and must rely less on the United States for its defence. “I’m talking about a vision of European security and greater European autonomy that does not herald US withdrawal but answers the call for more burden sharing in full and remakes the ties that have served us so well,” he will say, according to his office. Rubio is seen as a more conciliatory choice of US envoy, a year after Vice President JD Vance used the same stage to attack European policies on immigration and free speech, shocking European allies.

The Trump administration’s new National Security Strategy similarly launched an unprecedented attack against Europeans, charging that the continent is threatened with “civilisational decline”. Ties plunged further last month when Trump stepped up threats to annex Greenland, an autonomous territory of NATO ally Denmark, forcing European nations to stand firm in protest.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz acknowledged a “rift” had opened up between Europe and the United States, fuelled by culture wars, but issued an appeal to Washington: “Let’s repair and revive transatlantic trust together.” “In the era of great power rivalry, even the United States will not be powerful enough to go it alone,” said the conservative leader, who has ramped up defence spending in the top EU economy.

The high-powered Munich meeting of government leaders, diplomats, defence and intelligence chiefs comes shortly before Russia’s full-scale war on Ukraine is set to enter its fifth gruelling year. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who has been in Munich since Friday and meeting multiple allies, was expected to address the meeting on Saturday. No Russian officials have been invited.

At the White House on Friday, Trump urged him to “get moving” to end the war. “Russia wants to make a deal…He has to move,” the US leader said. A German government source said Merz and Rubio met at the conference Friday and discussed “Ukraine, the status of negotiations with Russia and further support for the country, particularly in terms of military aid”. They also discussed Europe’s role in NATO and “Rubio praised Germany’s steps to strengthen the alliance”, the source added.

Macron said a new framework was needed to deal with “an aggressive Russia” once the fighting in Ukraine ends. Kremlin critic Mikhail Khodorkovsky said he feared “a new cold war” between Europe and Russia in the coming decade, making reopening dialogue with Moscow essential. “If it makes sense to talk, we are willing to talk,” said Merz, but he also charged that “Russia is not yet willing to talk seriously”.

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This year’s conference comes at a time of strained ties between Europe and the United States, after Trump threatened to take over Greenland and criticised “decaying” and “weak” European nations. Russia’s war against Ukraine, set to enter its fifth year this month, is high on the agenda, alongside efforts by European NATO members to raise their defence budgets, in line with Trump’s demands, out of concern that Moscow could seek to expand into their territory. European leaders at the gathering defended their security commitments and the NATO alliance, which Trump’s rhetoric has rattled. “Being a part of NATO is not only Europe’s competitive advantage. It’s also the United States’ competitive advantage. So let’s repair and revive transatlantic trust together,” Merz said. “In the era of great-power rivalry, even the United States will not be powerful enough to go it alone.”

The gathering comes a year after US Vice President JD Vance used the conference’s stage to attack European policies on immigration and free speech, shocking allies on the continent. Macron emphatically defended Europe in his speech, saying “everyone should take their cue from us, instead of criticising us”. Starmer’s office said his speech would call for “a vision of European security and greater European autonomy that does not herald US withdrawal but answers the call for more burden sharing in full and remakes the ties that have served us so well”.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who arrived on Friday, is also due to speak at the gathering on Saturday, as is Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, organisers said. A German government source said Merz and Rubio had met at the conference and discussed “Ukraine, the status of negotiations with Russia and further support for the country, particularly in terms of military aid”. They also discussed Iran and NATO, and “Rubio praised Germany’s steps to strengthen the alliance,” the source added. Rubio also met his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi on the sidelines of the conference, at a time of heightened Washington-Beijing tensions. They agreed to strengthen cooperation, and Wang told Rubio that “dialogue is better than confrontation, cooperation is better than conflict, and win-win outcomes are better than zero-sum games”, according to Chinese state news agency Xinhua. Rubio held a 15-minute meeting with the prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland about the future sovereignty of the Arctic island. Denmark’s Mette Frederiksen called the talks “constructive”. Ties plunged last month when Trump stepped up threats to annex Greenland, an autonomous territory of NATO ally Denmark, forcing European nations to stand firm in protest.

Merz, Macron and the leaders of the European Union, Canada and NATO met with Zelensky on Friday for talks on Ukraine. A US official said Rubio did not attend those talks due to a packed schedule, but was “engaging on Russia-Ukraine in many of his meetings” in Munich. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga said he discussed ending the Russian invasion with Wang, whose country is a close partner of Moscow. Wang told Sybiga that Beijing was “willing to provide Ukraine with new humanitarian aid”, according to a Chinese foreign ministry readout. Macron, meanwhile, said a new framework was needed to deal with “an aggressive Russia” once the fighting in Ukraine ends.

“If it makes sense to talk, we are willing to talk,” said Merz. “But as you can see with the American side, Russia is not yet willing to talk seriously.” Zelensky, urged by Trump to “get moving” on a deal to end the war, visited a drone factory near Munich with German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius before meeting with European leaders. “It’s good to have strong partnership with Americans…but I think that Europe…needs (an) independent defence industry, very strong,” he said. NATO’s Secretary General Mark Rutte said on the sidelines of the conference that Europe was “stepping up…taking more of a leadership role within NATO” and “taking more care of its own defence.” “A strong Europe in a strong NATO means that the transatlantic bond will be stronger than ever,” Rutte said.

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Russian and Ukrainian negotiators are last known to have met face-to-face in Istanbul last summer, in talks that ended only in deals to exchange captured soldiers. This week was the first time they have faced each other to talk about a plan being pushed by US President Donald Trump to end the nearly four-year war. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said “a lot was discussed, and it is important that the conversations were constructive”.

On the eve of day two, Russian drones and missiles cut off millions from electricity in sub-zero temperatures. Kyiv accused Moscow of undermining the negotiations by launching yet another “night of Russian terror”. AFP journalists saw people running through the streets to find shelter as explosions lit up the night sky over the capital Kyiv. After another sleepless night, weary Kyiv residents had little hope for a breakthrough in the nearly four-year war. “They’ll just say that everything is fine, that again, nothing has been agreed, and again there will be rockets,” said Anastasia Tolkachov, who had to spend a night in a car park.

A United Arab Emirates government spokesperson said the meetings, which involved top military officers from both sides, were held in a “constructive and positive atmosphere”. The talks focused on “outstanding elements of the US-proposed peace framework as well as confidence-building measures”, the spokesperson said. According to Zelensky, “the central focus of the discussions was the possible parameters for ending the war”.

Both warring sides say the fate of territory in the eastern Donbas region is the main unresolved issue in the search for a settlement. Over a million people in Kyiv and Chernigiv were left without electricity in sub-zero temperatures due to Russian strikes. About half of Kyiv’s apartment blocks were cut off from heating, Ukrainian authorities said. “This night in Kyiv, it’s really all happening again and again,” Iryna Berehova, 48, told AFP, adding: “These explosions, these sleepless nights, these worries for our children, for our safety, they are very exhausting. These negotiations that are taking place don’t even give us any hope for the better.”

The European Union, which has sent hundreds of power generators to Ukraine, has accused Moscow of “deliberately depriving civilians of heat”. Zelensky last week declared a state of emergency in the energy sector, which has been battered by relentless Russian strikes on heat and electricity supplies. The Moscow-installed governor in the occupied Kherson region, Vladimir Saldo, said a Ukrainian drone strike killed three people in an ambulance van heading to a sick man.

While diplomacy to end Europe’s worst conflict since World War II has gained pace again, Moscow and Kyiv appear deadlocked over the issue of territory. Trump met Zelensky at the World Economic Forum in Davos on Thursday, and US Steve Witkoff later held talks with President Vladimir Putin in the Kremlin. Hours after Putin met Witkoff — and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner — in Moscow, the Kremlin said its demand that Kyiv withdraw from the eastern Donbas region still stood, calling it “a very important condition”. Kyiv rejects it.

“The Donbas is a key issue,” Zelensky told reporters on Friday, ahead of the talks in the UAE. Zelensky said he and Trump had agreed on post-war security guarantees in Davos. An initial US draft drew heavy criticism in Kyiv and western Europe for hewing too closely to Moscow’s demands, while Russia rejected later versions because they proposed European peacekeepers in Ukraine. Putin has repeatedly said Moscow intends to get full control of eastern Ukraine by force if talks fail. Trump has in the past pressured Ukraine to agree to terms that Kyiv sees as capitulation.

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