A Russian missile strike on the Ukrainian city of Dnipro Monday morning killed four people and wounded 40 others, local authorities reported. Unconfirmed reports suggest a ballistic missile was used in the attack, which was captured in online videos showing a large highway explosion. The strike damaged an office block, cars, and shops in the city, a frequent target located about 100 kilometers from the front line since the 2022 invasion.
The violence unfolded against a backdrop of high-stakes diplomacy. The attack preceded a scheduled meeting in Moscow between U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Russian President Vladimir Putin, part of ongoing talks to end the war. Witkoff, who has met Putin several times this year but never visited Kyiv, was part of a separate meeting in Florida on Sunday. There, a Ukrainian delegation convened with him, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Jared Kushner, son-in-law of former President Donald Trump.
President Volodymyr Zelensky called the Florida talks "very constructive" while noting "tough issues" remained, an echo of Secretary Rubio's "productive" yet incomplete assessment. This meeting was a recent step in intense "shuttle diplomacy," though substantial differences persist. Russia insists Ukraine withdraw from Donbas, a demand Kyiv refuses. Putin vowed to achieve this "by force of arms," while Zelensky accused Russia of scorning peace efforts.
Disagreement also surrounds Ukraine's future security. Kyiv and Europe seek guarantees like NATO membership, a move opposed by both Russia and Donald Trump, who has ruled out allowing Ukraine to join the alliance. Amid these talks, Zelensky traveled to Paris Monday to rally support from President Macron, with a trip to Ireland scheduled for Tuesday. This European outreach addresses concerns that the U.S. is becoming more amenable to Russia while excluding European partners.
Domestically, Zelensky is navigating a corruption scandal that weakened his position. His chief of staff Andriy Yermak, who led peace talk delegations, resigned Friday after investigators raided his home, though he faces no accusations. Two cabinet ministers were also fired. Referencing the scandal, Donald Trump noted Ukraine had "some difficult little problems" and repeated that both sides want the war to end.
The conflict's toll is severe, with tens of thousands of soldiers and civilians killed or injured and at least seven million people made refugees since the full-scale invasion began in February 2022. The war traces back to 2014, when Russia annexed Crimea and supported eastern uprisings after Ukraine's pro-Russian president was overthrown.
________________________________________________________________________
Source:- BBC
