Zelensky speaks to US envoys amid Trump spat after warning US not to side with Russia

Zelensky’s conversation focused on America’s position in the war, possible deliveries of US Patriot air-defence systems, and the need to end the conflict. He said “a lot depends” on the United States. He also said Ukraine was ready to work constructively and honestly with its partners.

The timing made the discussion especially important. Trump had blocked new sanctions on Russia and struck a diesel deal with Moscow. Zelensky warned that formally supporting Russia would be a “historic mistake.” He also urged Trump to change his decisions, while thanking him for restoring intelligence sharing.

The meeting showed that Washington remained central to Ukraine’s security, even as relations were strained. Patriot systems could help protect Ukrainian cities from missiles. Intelligence could improve warning and targeting decisions. Yet the US-led effort had not produced a breakthrough, and Zelensky’s comments showed Kyiv still needed American political and military support.

Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner were the American officials who spoke with Zelensky. The article identifies Witkoff as Trump’s business partner and Kushner as Trump’s son-in-law. It does not give them formal diplomatic titles or explain a detailed mandate beyond their role as US envoys.

Their meeting formed part of a US-led effort to end the Ukraine-Russia war. They discussed matters important to Washington and Kyiv, including America’s position in the conflict and deliveries of Patriot air-defence systems. Their contact with Zelensky kept communication open during a tense period.

The choice of envoys mattered because Trump was clashing directly with Zelensky over Russia policy and the war’s lack of progress. Witkoff and Kushner could carry the US position into discussions with Ukraine. However, the effort had not produced a breakthrough, so their involvement had not yet resolved the central dispute.

In this article, an “energy ceasefire” means an understanding intended to stop attacks on energy infrastructure. Such a pause would aim to protect electricity, heating, fuel, and related facilities from wartime strikes. The article does not give the ceasefire’s full terms, but it links the agreement to Trump’s efforts to halt attacks.

Zelensky accused Moscow of violating that arrangement 76 times. He said Russian attacks were intended to leave Ukrainians without heat and electricity before winter. Russian strikes reportedly left tens of thousands without power in several regions, and Ukrainian officials said three people were killed.

The accusation showed how fragile the attempted agreement was. Instead of reducing pressure on civilians, the attacks continued on both sides. Russia also reported Ukrainian strikes on an oil refinery, depot, terminal, warehouses, and other facilities around St Petersburg. The continuing exchanges made the ceasefire’s future uncertain and kept energy security at the centre of diplomacy.

The attacks were large and struck essential systems on both sides. Russia’s Leningrad governor said air defences shot down 144 Ukrainian drones. Russian state media called it the largest attack on St Petersburg since the war began in 2022. Smoke rose over the city after fires were reported at several sites.

In St Petersburg, Russia reported one death and five hospitalisations. Fires affected an oil refinery, an oil terminal, the Ruchyi oil depot, industrial warehouses, and a logistics centre. Russia’s VKontakte data centre was also reported hit. In Ukraine, officials reported three deaths, while Russian strikes left tens of thousands without power.

The figures show that the attacks reached both urban areas and critical infrastructure. Yanino alone had 20,000 people without electricity after a substation was hit. The damage extended beyond military positions, disrupting homes, fuel supplies, businesses, communications, and industrial activity.

Damage to energy and industrial sites quickly affects daily life. Power stations supply homes, hospitals, businesses, and communications. Fuel sites support transport and heating. When they are damaged, civilians can lose electricity, face fires or smoke, and struggle to obtain petrol. Businesses may also be unable to operate normally.

The article gives several examples. A substation hit in Yanino left 20,000 people without power. A house fire caused by drone debris led to a woman and three children being hospitalised with possible carbon monoxide poisoning. In St Petersburg, residents feared petrol shortages after attacks on oil facilities. A data centre and logistics centre were also reported hit.

The wider economy can suffer through disrupted transport, deliveries, communications, and industrial work. Fuel shortages can raise pressure on households and businesses. Repeated attacks also force authorities to spend resources on firefighting, repairs, emergency care, and restoring basic services.

Ukraine needs strong air defence because Russia has been raining drones and missiles on Ukrainian cities daily. These attacks threaten electricity, heating, homes, and civilians. Zelensky said Kyiv was struggling to counter Russian missiles, which is why he discussed deliveries of US Patriot systems with the American envoys.

Patriot systems are designed to detect and intercept certain incoming missiles before they reach their targets. That can reduce deaths and limit damage to power stations and other infrastructure. Intelligence sharing can provide information about planned or incoming strikes, helping Ukrainian forces prepare defences and warn the public. The article says the United States resumed intelligence sharing after a pause.

These tools cannot guarantee that every attack will be stopped. Still, they can make missile campaigns less effective and help Ukraine protect critical services. Their availability depends partly on US decisions, which explains Zelensky’s warning that much depends on America’s position.

Both sides attack energy infrastructure because it supports nearly every part of a country’s war effort and daily life. Electricity powers communications, industry, water systems, and transport. Fuel moves vehicles and supplies. Heating protects civilians in winter. Damaging these networks can weaken military endurance while increasing pressure on the population.

The article shows this mechanism through several strikes. Russian attacks left tens of thousands without power, and a substation hit left 20,000 people without electricity in Yanino. Ukraine’s attack set an oil refinery ablaze and struck an oil terminal, depot, warehouses, a data centre, and a logistics centre. Residents feared petrol shortages.

Control over energy therefore affects both fighting capacity and public resilience. Repeated outages can disrupt work, transport, communications, and heating. They can also force authorities to divert resources into repairs and emergency response. The article presents this as a continuing cycle, with each side describing its strikes as part of the war’s routine.