Russia Attacks Ukraine’s Capital Hours After Trump Teases...

By Robert Birsel

Reporter

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Russian forces attacked the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv early Tuesday, striking a residential building and wounding at least four people, the Associated Press (AP) reported, hours after U.S. President Donald Trump struck a cautiously optimistic tone on hopes for peace.

Newsweek contacted the Kremlin for comment.

Why It Matters

The latest Russian attack on Ukraine comes amid intense diplomatic efforts, led by the Trump administration, to work out a peace deal to end the war, nearly four years after Russian forces invaded Ukraine.

The White House has been ramping up pressure on Ukraine to accept a deal with Russia, with warnings that key military and intelligence support could be reduced if Kyiv fails to get on board.

In response, Ukraine and its European allies have drafted counterproposals after they objected to provisions in an initial 28-point draft that called for Ukraine to cede territory, reduce its military and rule out NATO membership.

What To Know

Russia launched a wave of attacks on Kyiv, bombing residential buildings and energy infrastructure, AP reported, citing video footage and authorities in the Ukrainian capital.

A residential building in the central Pechersk district and another in the eastern district of Dniprovskyi were badly damaged, Mayor Vitalii Kitschko was reported saying.

Video footage posted on social media showed a large fire spread through multiple floors of the nine-story building in Dniprovskyi. At least four people were injured, according to Tymor Tkachenko, head of Kyiv city administration.

Ukraine’s energy ministry said that energy infrastructure had also been struck, without providing details on what type or the extent of the damage.

U.S. and Ukrainian representatives met in Geneva on Sunday and later said that “meaningful progress” was made and an “updated and refined peace framework” was drafted.

In a post to his Truth Social page on Monday, Trump said “big progress” may be underway in the peace talks. Though cautioning not to “believe it until you see it,” the president said "something good just may be happening."

Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned of more Russian strikes, and said his forces were prepared to respond.

“We must be aware that Russia will not reduce its pressure on Ukraine, and in these days and weeks, we should treat air raid alerts and all similar threats of strikes with great caution,” Zelensky said in a post to X.

“We fully understand who we are dealing with, and all orders are in place in the Air Force and in all other components of Ukraine's Defense and Security Forces. We will respond.”

Russian President Vladimir Putin said Monday that the U.S. peace proposal for Ukraine could “in principle” serve as the foundation for a final settlement, according to a Kremlin summary of his call with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

What People Are Saying

Zelensky, also in his post: "If there are negotiations, if there is constructive dialogue, if we are truly ending the war, then there should be no missiles, no massive strikes on Ukraine, on our people.

“And this can really be achieved by those who are truly strong in the world, and much depends on America. Russia started the war - Russia must end the war, and we are ensuring the necessary circumstances through dialogue with our partners."

Tymofiy Mylovanov, Ukraine’s former trade minister, to CNN Monday: “It’s difficult to find a win‑win here between Russia and Ukraine, but definitely I think all parties are interested in ending the war.”

What Happens Next

Negotiations are set to continue, with Russia’s willingness to compromise and accept changes to the original 28-point peace draft likely the key for any progress.