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'Moscow is hesitating on peace talks,' Zelenskyy says as Russian missiles rain down on Ukraine overnight

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Thursday that another round of talks was expected "soon" but gave no further details

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President Zelenskyy shared pictures of the aftermath
President Zelenskyy shared pictures of the aftermath. Picture: X

By Alice Padgett

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has accused Moscow of "hesitating" on another round of US-brokered talks to end the war - as Russia unleashed a fresh barrage of ballistic missiles and drones overnight.

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Washington has proposed that further negotiations between Russian and Ukrainian delegations should take place in Miami or Abu Dhabi next week, Mr Zelenskyy said late on Wednesday.

Ukraine "immediately confirmed" it would attend, the leader told reporters in a messaging app interview.

But he added: "So far, as I understand it, Russia is hesitating."

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Thursday that another round of talks was expected "soon" but gave no further details.

American officials made no comment on the possibility of further talks as part of a year long peace effort by the Trump administration.

Mr Zelenskyy said last week that the United States has given Ukraine and Russia a June deadline to reach a deal.

But with Russia's invasion of its neighbour marking its fourth anniversary later this month, disagreements between Moscow and Kyiv over key issues have held up a comprehensive settlement.

People play cards in a shelter at a metro station during Russia's massive missile and drone attack
People play cards in a shelter at a metro station during Russia's massive missile and drone attack. Picture: Alamy

The issues include who keeps the Ukrainian land that Russia's army has so far occupied, especially in the eastern Donbas industrial heartland, and Moscow's demands for Kyiv to surrender more territory.

Ukraine wants Western-backed security guarantees, including a date for joining the European Union, and a post-war reconstruction package in place before it can contemplate signing a proposed 20-point settlement, Mr Zelenskyy said.

A damaged apartment building attacked by a Russian missile before daybreak in Kyiv
A damaged apartment building attacked by a Russian missile before daybreak in Kyiv. Picture: Alamy

It comes as Russia continues to pound Ukrainian civilian areas, including residential areas and the power grid.

Overnight from Wednesday to Thursday, Russia fired 219 long-range strike drones, 24 ballistic missiles and a guided aircraft missile at Ukraine, according to the Ukrainian air force.

The main targets were the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, the second-largest city of Kharkiv, Dnipro in central Ukraine, and the southern port city of Odesa, the air force said - all cities that have come under relentless bombardment.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy President of Ukraine previously met with Mark Rutte NATO Secretary General in in Kyiv
Volodymyr Zelenskyy President of Ukraine previously met with Mark Rutte NATO Secretary General in Kyiv. Picture: Alamy

In Dnipro, Russian strikes injured four people, including a four-year-old girl and a newborn boy, regional head Oleksandr Hanzha wrote on Telegram.

In Kyiv, several residential buildings were damaged, and two people were injured, according to the city administration.

Moscow has not responded to a US proposal for an "energy ceasefire" that would also halt Ukrainian drone strikes on Russian oil facilities, Mr Zelenskyy said.

Temperatures have moved above freezing point in Kyiv, but it is still bitterly cold in the city. Mayor Vitalii Klitschko said that almost 2,600 residential buildings were left without heating as the attack damaged critical infrastructure.

In Odesa, one person was injured as a residential high-rise was partially destroyed and a market and a supermarket caught fire, regional head Oleksandr Hanzha wrote on Telegram.