Zelenskyy: Russia Escalates Strikes to Pressure Kyiv Ahead of Abus Dhabi Trilateral Talks
Ukrainian President Zelenskyy accuses Russia of intensifying attacks to pressure Kyiv at upcoming US-brokered talks. Hundreds of thousands remain without power.
POLICY WIRE — Kyiv, Ukraine — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has declared that Moscow is deliberately escalating its bombardment of the country to exert leverage during upcoming diplomatic negotiations.
The accusation came on Saturday, following a significant overnight barrage that disrupted energy supplies just as temperatures began to fall.
Zelenskyy stated that the intensified strikes are a clear attempt to pressure Ukraine and its allied nations ahead of the US-brokered trilateral talks scheduled for the following week.
Government officials reported that hundreds of thousands of residents were left without electricity in the aftermath of the Russian attacks on power infrastructure.
The conflict continues to strain the national power grid, with recent assaults causing further damage to critical facilities and major bridges across the region.
These developments underscore the high-stakes environment surrounding the imminent discussions in Abu Dhabi, where efforts to de-escalate the war face significant obstacles.
Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)
