Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he spoke with his U.S. counterpart, Donald Trump, for the second day in a row on Sunday, calling the conversation “very productive.” The pair discussed a range of topics that were agreed upon the day before, including defense, the use of long-range weapons such as the Tomahawk missile, and Ukraine’s energy sector.
Zelenskyy also urged Trump to broker peace in Ukraine as in the “Middle East,” adding that Russia is currently profiting from the conflict in the region.
“Moscow allows itself to escalate its attacks, openly taking advantage of the fact that the world is focused on ensuring peace in the Middle East,” Zelenskyy said.
"That is precisely why no easing of pressure can be allowed. Sanctions, tariffs and joint action against buyers of Russian oil – those who finance this war – must all remain on the table," he added.
The calls come as Russia continues its campaign against Ukraine's energy infrastructure. Once again, Moscow targeted the Odessa region and its critical infrastructure, just a day after striking energy facilities in the region, resulting in power outages in many cities.
Russia launched a total of 118 drones overnight, killing seven and wounding at least 23 others across Ukraine. The country's Energy Ministry said energy infrastructure was also attacked in the Donetsk and Chernihiv regions, leaving some areas without water and electricity.
And in Kiev, two employees of Ukraine's largest private energy company, DTEK, were injured when Russia struck a substation in the region, the city's regional governor, Mykola Kalashnyk, said.
Ukraine's energy sector has been a key battleground since Russia launched its full-scale invasion, as Moscow attempts to cripple Ukraine's energy grid ahead of the harsh winter season.
“Russia continues its aerial terror against our cities and communities, intensifying attacks on our energy infrastructure,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy wrote on Twitter, noting that Russia had launched “more than 3,100 drones, 92 missiles, and approximately 1,360 cruise missiles” against Ukraine over the past week.
