Diplomacy Amidst Ruins: Zelenskyy Challenges Putin's Aggression Ahead of Florida Summit with Trump

Following a relentless 10-hour aerial assault on Kyiv involving 500 drones and 40 missiles, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy declared that Vladimir Putin’s actions speak louder than words, proving he "does not want peace." The strike, which targeted critical energy infrastructure, left 40% of the capital without heating and resulted in numerous civilian casualties. Zelenskyy emphasized that while Russian officials engage in prolonged talks, "Dagger missiles and Shahed drones" are their true representatives on the battlefield.

As he travels to Florida to meet President Donald Trump, Zelenskyy carries a revised 20-point peace plan designed to freeze frontlines and secure international guarantees. However, Moscow remains dismissive, labeling the proposal "fundamentally different" from their ongoing negotiations with Washington. While Western allies, including Canadian PM Mark Carney—who pledged $2.5 billion in aid—and leaders like Macron and Merz, maintain a united front behind Ukraine, President Trump remains non-committal. Trump noted that Zelenskyy "has nothing until I agree to it," indicating that the upcoming Mar-a-Lago talks will be the ultimate crucible for any future settlement, as he also prepares to engage with Putin directly.