Kyiv Braces for Russian Assault as Trump-Zelensky Meet Looms Amid Escalating Ukraine Conflict

A sudden surge in powerful explosions rocked Kyiv on Saturday, prompting a nationwide air alert and a warning from the military about an impending missile deployment. 'Explosions in the capital. Air defence forces are operating. Stay in shelters!' Kyiv's mayor Vitali Klitschko urged residents via Telegram, according to AFP. The Ukrainian air force issued a countrywide air alert early on Saturday, reporting the presence of drones and missiles in several regions, including the capital. This development comes as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is set to meet US President Donald Trump on Sunday in Florida to discuss a potential end to the conflict between Kyiv and Moscow. The meeting, which coincides with the near-completion of a 20-point peace framework and a security guarantee deal, aims to address the key sticking point of territorial issues. Zelensky will likely discuss the disputed Donbas region and the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant with Trump. Russia's defense ministry claimed to have captured a new village in the southeastern Zaporizhzhia region, while Ukraine's military stated it is defending a larger town in the area. The conflict between Ukraine and Russia has been ongoing for nearly four years, with Moscow seeking to gain control over the Donbas region. Kyiv, however, wants the fighting to cease at the current battle lines. As Washington pushes for a resolution, Zelensky expressed optimism that a lot can be decided before the New Year, but Russia's defense ministry accused Ukraine and its EU allies of attempting to torpedo the US-brokered peace plan.