Zelensky to Discuss Security Guarantees with Trump Amid Escalating Russian Attacks

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on Saturday that he would have a meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump at the upcoming UN General Assembly next week, amidst escalating deadly strikes from Russia throughout Ukraine.

Zelensky reported that Russia launched one of its most extensive aerial assaults, firing 40 missiles and deploying approximately 580 drones during a nighttime attack that resulted in at least three fatalities and dozens of injuries.

Additionally, a Ukrainian strike resulted in the deaths of four individuals in Russia’s southwestern Samara region, according to local authorities, marking one of the most lethal Ukrainian offensives since the beginning of the invasion in 2022.

During his discussions with Trump in New York, Zelensky expressed intentions to talk about security assurances for Ukraine and the imposition of sanctions on Russia.

Ukraine has been advocating for security guarantees supported by the West to deter any future Russian aggressions. In contrast, Russian President Vladimir Putin has cautioned that the presence of Western troops in Ukraine would be unacceptable and would constitute legitimate targets.

Efforts led by the U.S. for a swift resolution to the conflict have stalled, and Russia has effectively dismissed the possibility of a meeting between Putin and Zelensky, which Kyiv insists is the only path to peace.

Zelensky remarked, «We anticipate sanctions should there be no meeting between the leaders or if a ceasefire is not established.» He added, «We are open to meeting with Putin. I have discussed this, whether bilaterally or trilaterally. He is not prepared.»

Throughout the night, Ukraine endured a significant attack from Russia, which included the launch of 40 missiles—both cruise and ballistic—as well as around 580 drones of various types. Zelensky expressed gratitude to all Ukrainian defenders who protected the skies the entire night, particularly acknowledging the skill of the F-16 pilots.

In his comments on social media regarding the recent assault, Zelensky noted that «a missile with cluster munitions directly struck an apartment building» in the central city of Dnipro. He shared images of vehicles and a structure engulfed in flames, along with rescuers helping individuals amidst the debris.

In the Dnipropetrovsk region, the attacks resulted in one death and injuries to at least 30 people, with one individual reported in serious condition, according to Regional Governor Serhiy Lysak.

This assault follows reports of three Russian fighter jets encroaching upon the airspace of Estonia, a NATO ally situated on the alliance’s eastern flank, a claim that Moscow dismissed. This incident heightened Western concerns about a potential new provocation from Russia, particularly after Poland raised issues about approximately 20 Russian drones flying over its territory last week.

Zelensky reiterated calls for collaborative measures to defend against drone attacks over Ukraine «in partnership with other nations.»

As Russia continues to gain ground in its territorial ambitions, they claimed on Saturday that their forces had seized the village of Berezove in the Dnipropetrovsk region.

In the northeastern Kharkiv region, intense military operations were reported around the crucial area of Kupiansk, a rail hub that Ukraine had recaptured during a 2022 offensive.

In Russia, four people lost their lives «due to an enemy drone strike last night,» reported Samara Governor Vyacheslav Fedorishchev on social media. He previously mentioned that «fuel and energy facilities» were targeted, but did not disclose specifics concerning the damage.

According to the Ukrainian General Staff, «strategic targets of the Russian aggressor were attacked,» indicating that Ukrainian forces «inflicted damage» on the Saratov Oil Refinery and targeted the Novokuybyshevsk Oil Refinery in the Samara region.

A source from Ukraine’s SBU security agency reported that Ukrainian drone strikes «have halted the operations of several oil pumping stations in Russia.» This infrastructure generates substantial revenue for the Russian budget, which supports the war against Ukraine. Efforts to obstruct these financial channels will persist, the source stated.

The Russian Defense Ministry claimed that its air defense systems «intercepted and destroyed» 149 Ukrainian drones overnight, encompassing 27 over the Saratov region and 15 over the Samara region.

In 2023, three rounds of direct negotiations between Russia and Ukraine held in Istanbul only resulted in exchanges of prisoners. Russia has maintained rigid demands, insisting that Ukraine fully relinquish the eastern Donbas region, portions of which it continues to control.

Kyiv has firmly rejected any territorial concessions and is advocating for the deployment of European troops to serve as peacekeepers in Ukraine, a proposition that Moscow deems unacceptable.