Eleanor Beardsley

Speaking over the weekend, Ukraine's top commander said it would be unacceptable for Kiev to surrender territory it has fought for and held on to.

Separately, the Kremlin welcomed the Trump administration no longer calling Russia a direct threat.

in its revised national strategy.

Eleanor Beardsley, NPR News, Kyiv.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is projecting determination and a cautiously upbeat tone.

And U.S.

Envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner said the process is moving forward even if no major concessions emerged.

The key sensitive topics still to discuss include territory, the use of frozen Russian assets and security guarantees for Ukraine.

Ukrainians and the Europeans fear the U.S.

will pressure Kyiv to give away too much to Russia.

Speaking over the weekend, Ukraine's top commander said it would be unacceptable for Kyiv to surrender territory it has fought for and held on to.

Separately, the Kremlin welcomed the Trump administration no longer calling Russia a direct threat in its revised national strategy.

Eleanor Beardsley, NPR News, Kyiv.

Air raid sirens blared over Kyiv in the early morning hours Saturday, but the strikes were targeted at energy facilities more than civilian infrastructure this time.

The Kremlin is trying to cripple Ukraine's energy structures ahead of another winter of war.

Generators hum away on the sidewalks of Kyiv, and people plan their lives around the rolling blackouts.

27-year-old Victoria Muskaluk is buying fresh eggs at her weekly street market.

She says Ukrainians are hanging on and trying to live as they can.

Eleanor Beardsley, NPR News, Kyiv.

Air raid sirens blared over Kyiv in the early morning hours Saturday, but the strikes were targeted at energy facilities more than civilian infrastructure this time.