Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Russian President Vladimir Putin is likely avoiding actions that would upset US President Donald Trump ahead of the midterm elections.

Zelenskyy told Axios on Monday that Putin might be relying on a severe winter to weaken Ukraine but needs Trump for a potential diplomatic victory. The Ukrainian leader noted that the Trump administration could pressure Moscow into de-escalating the war.

US Envoys Push for De-escalation

Zelenskyy met with Trump’s representatives, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, in Kyiv on Sunday. He said their message was that Russia is ready to negotiate. The primary objective of the visit was to unblock the diplomatic process by introducing fresh ideas.

Discussions included possible de-escalation measures involving energy facilities, grain shipments, electricity infrastructure, and oil and gas exports. Witkoff later reported on Monday that Washington made substantive progress toward new trilateral talks involving the US, Russia, and Ukraine.

Military Aid and Ceasefire Efforts

The UK pledged £100 million (about $135.16 million) to bolster Ukraine’s air defenses ahead of winter. This funding includes Patriot missiles and other military equipment to address interceptor shortages amid Russian attacks on critical infrastructure.

Witkoff stated that Russia and Ukraine agreed to a three-day no-shoot policy to facilitate peace discussions. National security advisers from Britain, Germany, and France joined delegations in Kyiv to work on next steps. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha suggested a new dynamic in peace initiatives without disclosing specific details.

Ukraine's President Zelensky has warned airlines that drones are a "concrete reality" in Russian airspace, urging them to pay attention to the real danger rather than relying on reassurances from Russian officials.

Key details of the warning

Zelensky emphasized that because of Russia's war, Russian skies have become a space for drones, not civilian aircraft. He noted new signals from airlines and stressed the importance of monitoring the actual situation on the ground.

The statement draws a sharp distinction between the presence of Ukrainian drones and any direct threat to civilian aircraft. However, it underscores that the responsibility for awareness lies with those operating in or providing coverage for Russian airspace.

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