Volodymyr Zelensky

Russia continues to press on the battlefield in an effort to improve its position at the negotiating table.

The Kremlin claims to have taken the eastern city of Pokrovsk after a year and a half of brutal fighting and heavy losses.

Ukraine denies the claim.

In a statement on X, Zelensky said there is now a real opportunity to end the war.

But as Kiev and cities across Ukraine continue to come under near nightly attack, Zelensky said negotiations must be accompanied by pressure on Russia.

So that Russia does not believe it will be rewarded for this war with stolen Ukrainian land or thousands kidnapped Ukrainian children.

In a social media post, Ukraine's president, Volodymyr Zelensky, said at least three people were killed in the Russian attacks and more than 600,000 were left without power.

He stressed that Ukraine's defense systems needed to be strengthened further and that if Moscow refused to end its drone and missile strikes, it was time Europe made a decision to make use of frozen Russian assets to help Kyiv.

The strikes came as Ukrainian negotiators headed to Washington for talks this weekend on an amended U.S.

peace plan.

And I'm ready to meet with President Trump.

And there are sensitive points to discuss.

And we think that the presence of European leaders could be helpful.

And as long as Russia has not taken real steps to shut down its war machine,

Our team has reported on the new draft of steps, and this is indeed the right approach.

I will discuss the sensitive issues with President Trump.

Ukraine will never be an obstacle to peace.

This is our principle, a shared principle, and millions of Ukrainians are counting on and deserve a dignified peace.

Of course, we all continue working with partners, especially the United States, and look for compromises that strengthen Ukraine.

but not weaken us.