Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has warned that Ukraine’s drone strikes on Russia will persist unless Moscow ends its military offensive. Speaking to reporters after the latest round of US-brokered peace talks in Istanbul on Monday, Zelenskyy praised a recent drone strike targeting Russia’s strategic bomber fleet as a “strategic operation” that weakened Russian military capabilities. The attack occurred just a day before the talks.
“This is happening on a daily basis,” Zelenskyy said, referring to Russia’s ongoing assaults, including a recent overnight attack involving more than 480 drones. “Unless they will stop, we will continue.” When asked whether the drone campaign might shift the war’s dynamics or provoke Russia, Zelenskyy emphasized that Ukraine was not concerned about Russia being “enraged,” noting that Moscow continues its attacks regardless.
Zelenskyy also commented on the role of the United States in the peace process, calling for “very strong steps” from President Trump to support sanctions and pressure President Putin to stop the war or at least initiate a ceasefire.
Monday’s meeting in Istanbul, held at the Ciragan Palace, marked the first direct contact between Ukrainian and Russian delegations since May 2022. The talks lasted just over an hour. Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov confirmed that both sides agreed to exchange all severely wounded and ill prisoners of war, as well as the bodies of thousands of fallen soldiers. Discussions also touched on the possibility of a meeting between Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Ukraine is pushing for a 30-day ceasefire to create space for peace negotiations. However, Russia has rejected the proposal, with President Putin maintaining the same broad war objectives he declared at the outset of the invasion.
