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In a key political initiative, Donald Trump’s special envoy will travel to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and various European leaders in Berlin this weekend, as US officials advocates for a concrete plan to conclude the current war.

Diplomatic Talks and Ceasefire Planning

Germany stated it would host US and Ukrainian delegations for preliminary consultations focusing on a potential truce, ahead of a broader summit with EU officials and President Zelenskyy set for Monday. During a speech to the nation, Zelenskyy stated the planned meeting with Trump envoy Steve Witkoff: “Critically, I will be holding talks with representatives from President Trump, and there will also be discussions with our allies in Europe, with many officials, concerning the establishment of peace – a political agreement to terminate the war,” he declared.

Kremlin Conditions for a Truce

Meanwhile, Russian foreign affairs adviser Yuri Ushakov restated that Russia would exclusively support a ceasefire once Ukrainian forces have withdrawn from territory within the eastern oblast they currently hold. Ushakov added that Russian police and national guard troops would stay in sections of eastern Ukraine’s Donbas should the area were to become a DMZ under a potential peace plan – a stipulation viewed as a non-starter for Kyiv.

Nighttime Assaults Hit Ukrainian Infrastructure

Amid a separate development, Russian forces attacked multiple oblasts in Ukraine during the night, aiming at the country’s power and maritime infrastructure, as stated by President Zelenskyy. He indicated the assaults utilized in excess of 450 unmanned aerial vehicles and 30 missiles. As the mercury near zero degrees, Ukraine’s interior minister, Ihor Klymenko, reported over a million people were left in the dark.

Additionally, an strike on the port city of Odesa led to grain silos catching fire, as stated by Ukrainian deputy prime minister Oleksiy Kuleba. Local officials reported that two individuals were wounded in attacks on the surrounding area.

Defense and Aid Developments

Amid growing anxieties about the threat from Russia, Germany announced it will dispatch a team of engineers to Poland to assist with a initiative to strengthen the nation’s eastern border. Poland, a staunch supporter of Ukraine, announced intentions last year to enhance a significant section of its border. The primary mission of the German soldiers will be “construction and engineering work,” a defence ministry spokesperson clarified.

Regarding a separate incident, about 480 people were evacuated from a train traveling between the Polish city of Przemysl and Kyiv after police responded to a report concerning a threat. No one was hurt, and authorities provided no further details on the specific threat. Polish authorities remain on heightened alert due to several incidents to sabotage trains on the route linking Warsaw to the Ukrainian border.

In other news, Ukraine’s navy alleged Russian forces of intentionally attacking a civilian ship from Turkey transporting cooking oil to Egypt with a UAV on Saturday. The statement claimed the vessel ‘VIVA’ was struck but continued on its journey, with all 11 crew wounded.

Finally, Ukraine welcomed back 114 prisoners freed by Belarus on Saturday, per the country’s PoW coordination centre. The freed individuals will receive healthcare, and any nationals of Belarus who choose will be transported to Poland or Lithuania.