Kyiv: Explosions were heard across Kyiv overnight as Ukraine’s air defence units went into action, with the military confirming the deployment of missiles and drones targeting the capital as well as northeastern and southern regions. An air raid alert remained in effect for about four hours, though there were no immediate reports of damage or power outages. Moscow offered no immediate comment on the attacks.

The strikes came days after Russia hit Ukraine’s energy infrastructure and intensified assaults on the southern port region of Odesa. Against this backdrop of continued fighting, Zelenskiy said his planned talks with Trump in Florida would focus on territorial control following a potential halt to hostilities that began with Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Europe’s deadliest conflict since World War Two.

Territory remains the key diplomatic hurdle. Zelenskiy said a U.S.-driven, 20-point peace plan is 90% complete and that a security guarantee agreement with Washington is almost ready, calling such guarantees essential after past commitments proved ineffective. He told Politico that “a lot can be decided before the New Year.”

Trump said the United States was leading the process, adding that no deal would be final without his approval, but expressed confidence that the meeting would go well and said he expected to speak with Putin soon.

Beyond land control, negotiations also hinge on the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power station, Europe’s largest, seized by Russian forces early in the war. Moscow is demanding Ukraine withdraw from parts of the Donetsk region still under Ukrainian control, while Kyiv insists any ceasefire freeze fighting along current front lines. A U.S. compromise proposal includes setting up a free economic zone if Ukraine cedes parts of Donetsk, though details remain unresolved.

Zelenskiy has indicated he may put the proposed plan to a referendum if Washington does not back Kyiv’s position on territory, provided Russia agrees to a 60-day ceasefire to allow preparations. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said Ukraine’s version of the plan differed from discussions held with the U.S., but suggested talks had reached a “turning point.” The Kremlin confirmed contacts between Putin’s aides and the Trump administration after Moscow received U.S. peace proposals, without revealing Russia’s response.