Russia Signals Openness to Trump’s Proposals on Ukraine Amid Intensified Drone Attacks
Russia signals openness to Trump’s peace proposals for Ukraine as drone attacks intensify and EU reaffirms support for Kyiv.
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Russia is open to hearing proposals from President-elect Donald Trump on ending the war in Ukraine, a Russian official said, as a Russian drone killed one person and wounded 13 others in Odesa, and the European Union's foreign policy chief held talks in Kyiv following the shift in U.S. leadership.
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov noted that Moscow and Washington were exchanging signals on the Ukraine conflict through “closed channels.” He did not clarify if these communications were with the current U.S. administration or with Trump and members of his incoming administration. Russia is ready to consider Trump’s proposals, provided they focus on a peaceful settlement rather than further Western support for Kyiv, Ryabkov stated in an interview with Russian news agency Interfax.
In Kyiv, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha expressed Ukraine’s readiness to work with the Trump administration, citing the initial positive exchange between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Trump. Sybiha mentioned ongoing efforts to establish communication between their teams, adding that he believes all parties share the goal of achieving a just peace.
Sybiha’s comments came during a press conference with EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell, who reiterated the EU’s unwavering support for Ukraine. Borrell emphasized the need for accelerated weapons deliveries and fewer limitations on Ukraine’s use of Western-supplied arms, urging allies to lift restrictions on long-range strikes against Russian targets.
Meanwhile, in Odesa, regional Governor Oleh Kiper reported that residential buildings, private homes, and warehouses were damaged by a Russian drone. He did not specify whether the drone had been intercepted. According to Ukraine’s air force, 32 Russian drones were shot down across 10 Ukrainian regions, while 18 drones were “lost,” likely due to electronic jamming.
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In the northeastern Kharkiv province, a Russian aerial bomb hit a busy highway overnight, but no casualties were reported, according to Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov.
Amid an intensified Russian aerial campaign, Ukrainian officials stressed the need for increased Western support to counter attacks. Concerns are growing over how the new U.S. administration may approach the conflict, as Trump has voiced reservations about U.S. aid to Ukraine and made vague statements about ending the war while showing praise for Russian President Vladimir Putin.
In Russia, the Defense Ministry reported that it had destroyed 50 Ukrainian drones over seven regions, with the majority intercepted over Bryansk, a region bordering Ukraine.