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Ukraine and Russia exchange deadly strikes as peace talks intensify
Ukraine and Russia reported casualties on Tuesday following overnight attacks, as negotiators worked urgently to revise a proposed peace framework aimed at ending the nearly four-year conflict. The efforts come under pressure from a looming U.S.-imposed deadline.
U.S. President Donald Trump has set November 27, Thanksgiving Day, as the deadline for Kyiv to respond to his peace proposal, a plan that initially mirrored Moscow’s demands. European leaders have criticized the framework, which would require Ukraine to cede territory, reduce its military, and pledge not to join NATO.
Despite the criticism, Ukraine and its allies spent the weekend revising the 28-point plan to better align with Kyiv’s priorities and uphold its sovereignty. A joint U.S.-Ukrainian statement confirmed progress, but no final agreement has been reached.
Escalation on the battlefield
As negotiators deliberated, violence escalated on the frontlines. Russia’s acting governor of the Rostov region, Yuri Sliusar, reported that three people were killed in Ukrainian strikes overnight. Taganrog, a port city in the region, was among the affected areas, with its mayor pledging a “necessary response.”
In the Krasnodar region, Governor Veniamin Kondratyev described the bombardment as “one of Kyiv’s most extensive attacks.”
Meanwhile, in Kyiv, powerful explosions rocked the capital as air raid sirens blared. Authorities reported at least one death and seven injuries after Russian missile and drone strikes targeted Ukraine’s already struggling energy infrastructure.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy described the situation as a “critical moment” and warned that Russia would not ease its military pressure. The Ukrainian air force issued nationwide alerts as attacks intensified.
Diplomatic challenges and revised proposals
The ongoing negotiations have been fraught with tension. Russian President Vladimir Putin, who initially supported the U.S. plan, has threatened further territorial seizures if Kyiv pulls out of the talks. Moscow currently controls about 20 percent of Ukrainian territory, much of it devastated by the war.
The U.S.-proposed framework initially faced backlash for favoring Russia’s terms, including the cession of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions and significant reductions to Ukraine’s military capacity. Kyiv has rejected these conditions as unacceptable.
On Tuesday, members of the “coalition of the willing,” a group of countries backing Ukraine, convened a video call following emergency talks in Geneva over the weekend. The discussions aimed to finalize an updated peace framework that respects Ukraine’s sovereignty.
The White House hailed the revised proposal as progress, with Kyiv’s delegation stating it reflects most of their key priorities. However, European leaders, including German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, have expressed skepticism about meeting Trump’s November 27 deadline. Merz warned that the negotiations would likely be a “lengthy process.”
The urgency from Washington has sparked speculation. While U.S. officials have denied directly threatening to cut aid, sources suggest Kyiv is aware that rejecting the proposal could jeopardize future support.
Despite the challenges, all parties agree on the need to seize any viable opportunity to end the war, which has claimed tens of thousands of lives and caused immense destruction since Russia’s invasion began in February 2022.