Ukraine and Russia exchanged drone and artillery fire overnight, as key European allies threw their weight behind President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's renewed call for direct negotiations with Moscow.
The United Kingdom, France, and Germany issued a joint statement supporting Zelenskyy's proposal for a face-to-face meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, signaling a potential shift in diplomatic strategy after months of deadlock.
"We believe that direct talks could open a path to a just and lasting peace," the statement read. "Ukraine has shown its willingness to engage; Russia must now respond constructively."
On the ground, the conflict showed no signs of abating. Ukrainian air defenses reported shooting down 14 of 18 Iranian-made Shahed drones launched by Russian forces overnight. In Russia's Belgorod region, local officials said two people were injured by Ukrainian shelling.
The dueling attacks underscored the fragility of any diplomatic opening, even as European leaders urged de-escalation.
Zelenskyy has long insisted that any negotiations must include a full Russian withdrawal from occupied territories, a condition Moscow has rejected. The new European backing comes as Ukraine faces mounting pressure to show progress on the battlefield amid stalled Western aid.