Regional authorities said two people were killed in a drone strike on an apartment building in Kryvyi Rih, the hometown of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, while four others died in an aerial bomb attack elsewhere in the region.

Officials said four people were wounded in the Kryvyi Rih strike, including a nine-month-old child whose leg was severed in the blast, according to regional governor Oleksandr Hanzha and military administration head Oleksandr Vilkul.Zelensky condemned the attacks in a statement posted on Telegram, describing them as “cynical and devoid of all military logic.”

“After the end of the partial three-day ceasefire, Russia continues to kill and maim Ukrainians,” Zelensky said, adding that international pressure on Moscow should not be reduced.

The truce, linked to commemorations marking the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany in World War Two, had been part of a broader U.S.-backed diplomatic effort promoted by President Donald Trump to encourage negotiations after more than four years of war.

Although both Moscow and Kyiv reported reduced large-scale aerial bombardments during the ceasefire period, each side accused the other of continued frontline shelling, drone strikes and artillery attacks.Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said Kyiv had proposed extending the ceasefire, but Russia instead intensified attacks targeting civilian infrastructure and energy facilities.

Ukraine’s air force said drones were intercepted across multiple regions overnight, though strikes still caused damage to apartment buildings, power infrastructure, a kindergarten and rail facilities.In Kyiv, falling debris from a downed drone sparked a fire on the roof of a 16-story residential building in the Obolon district, Mayor Vitali Klitschko said.

Authorities also reported injuries and infrastructure damage in the regions of Cherkasy, Zhytomyr, Chernihiv, Mykolaiv and Kherson. In the southern Mykolaiv region, governor Vitaliy Kim said drone strikes on energy infrastructure caused localized blackouts.

Zelensky said Ukrainian forces had meanwhile struck gas infrastructure in Russia’s Orenburg region, more than 1,500 kilometers from the Ukrainian border, indicating Kyiv’s continued use of long-range drone operations against Russian energy assets.

The renewed attacks underscore the fragility of ceasefire efforts as diplomatic initiatives backed by Washington and European allies struggle to halt the conflict, which has increasingly evolved into a war of attrition marked by long-range missile and drone warfare.

While Zelenskiy arrived seeking advanced weaponry such as Tomahawk missiles, the talks ultimately centered on diplomacy, dialogue, and the possibility of a negotiated settlement that could bring an end to years of devastation.

Trump’s tone throughout the meeting was notably conciliatory and focused on immediate de-escalation. “You stop at the battle line, and both sides should go home,” he said, urging Ukraine and Russia to “stop the killing” and return to peace talks. His emphasis on diplomacy over weaponry highlights a broader strategic vision — one that seeks to restore stability through negotiation rather than escalation.

The discussion came at a sensitive moment, as both Russia and Ukraine weigh the human and economic costs of a prolonged war. Trump, who is expected to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Hungary in the coming weeks, has positioned himself as a potential mediator capable of reviving dialogue between the two nations.

His willingness to engage with both leaders signals a proactive American role in fostering global peace efforts.

President Zelenskiy, while reiterating Ukraine’s right to defend its sovereignty, acknowledged the importance of Trump’s approach. “We want this. Putin doesn’t want (it),” Zelenskiy said, stressing that Ukraine is prepared to work toward a ceasefire if Russia shows genuine commitment. Despite the challenges, the Ukrainian leader expressed optimism that Trump’s influence could help push Moscow back to the negotiating table.

While Trump did not rule out future military assistance, including the Tomahawk missiles requested by Ukraine, he emphasized that the United States must balance its own defense priorities. “We want Tomahawks also. We don’t want to be giving away things that we need to protect our country,” Trump stated.

His words reflected a cautious but clear message — that long-term peace requires more than arms transfers; it requires mutual compromise and constructive engagement.

The meeting, described as “productive” by Zelenskiy, underscored a shared understanding between the two leaders. Following their private talks, Zelenskiy told reporters that while the U.S. was not immediately providing new weapons, he remained hopeful that Trump’s diplomatic outreach to Putin could lead to an eventual ceasefire.

“President Trump is right, and we have to stop where we are. This is important, to stop where we are, and then to speak,” Zelenskiy said.

The international community has responded with cautious optimism. A spokesperson for the European Union welcomed the renewed talks, saying that “any initiative that helps bring peace to Ukraine is a step in the right direction.” The Kremlin also indicated a willingness to continue discussions, noting that while much remains undecided, dialogue remains open.

Observers believe that Trump’s push for direct engagement between Kyiv and Moscow could help break the diplomatic stalemate that has persisted since 2022. His approach, blending realism with negotiation, could pave the way for what many hope will be a sustainable peace framework — one that respects Ukraine’s sovereignty while addressing security concerns across the region.

Beyond politics, the Trump–Zelenskiy meeting reflected a humanitarian shift in focus — from confrontation to cooperation. Both leaders expressed concern for the millions affected by the conflict and stressed the importance of rebuilding efforts once hostilities cease. Trump’s emphasis on “going home to families” resonated with war-weary populations on both sides.

Meanwhile, Zelenskiy’s continued dialogue with European leaders following the meeting suggests a coordinated international effort to support diplomatic solutions. Analysts note that Ukraine’s resilience, combined with Trump’s outreach to Russia, could create a foundation for renewed negotiations under global supervision.

Although uncertainties remain, the White House discussions symbolized a meaningful step toward peace. President Trump’s call for an immediate halt to hostilities, paired with President Zelenskiy’s pragmatic acknowledgment of the situation, offers a glimpse of hope that the war could shift from the battlefield to the negotiating table.

As the world watches, the possibility of dialogue between Washington, Kyiv, and Moscow stands as a reminder that diplomacy — when backed by determination and goodwill — can still change the course of history.

Both leaders’ focus on stability, humanitarian recovery, and cooperation signals a positive path forward, rekindling hopes for peace in Europe’s most enduring conflict.