US and Ukraine to Meet in Geneva Amid Escalating Tensions Over Russias Actions

Kyiv Experiences Overnight Missile and Drone Attacks Ahead of Geneva Talks

A barrage of missile and drone attacks struck Ukraine overnight, injuring at least 25 people across the country. The attacks occurred in advance of a high-level meeting between Kyiv and Washington aimed at ending the war, now in its fifth year.

In the northeastern city of Kharkiv, at least 16 people were injured in early morning attacks, while in southeastern Zaporizhia, seven people were injured in strikes that damaged 19 apartment buildings, four homes, and several other structures. Two people were also injured in the central city of Kryvyi Rih.

Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported damage to a nine-storey residential building in the Darnytskyi district, as well as fires in a home and garages elsewhere in the city. The city’s air defense systems were activated to counter the attack, with residents advised to remain in shelters until the assault was over.

The strikes occurred before a scheduled meeting in Geneva between Ukraine’s lead negotiator Rustem Umerov and US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had spoken with US President Donald Trump earlier, discussing issues to be covered in Geneva and preparations for a full session of talks involving Moscow, Kyiv, and Washington.

The meeting is expected to pave the way for a direct meeting between Russian and Ukrainian leaders. Russian state news agency TASS reported that Kremlin’s economic affairs envoy Kirill Dmitriev would also attend the Geneva talks on Thursday, pursuing negotiations with the Americans on economic issues.

Negotiations have been ongoing since late last year, but have hit a roadblock over territorial issues, including control of eastern Ukraine’s Donbas region. Russia is pushing for full control of the region, while Ukraine has rejected the demand and signaled it would not sign a deal without security guarantees.

Source: Al Jazeera