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UK PM calls Russian attacks 'barbaric' amid freezing temperatures
British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer denounced Russia's overnight missile strikes on Ukraine's energy infrastructure as "barbaric" and "particularly depraved," following a conversation with US President Donald Trump. The assaults targeted Kyiv and other regions as temperatures fell to -20°C (-4°F).
Trump claims Putin honored temporary pause
Trump stated on Tuesday that Russian President Vladimir Putin had "kept his word" by observing a one-week pause in attacks, which Trump had requested amid extreme cold. However, he acknowledged the resumption of strikes, telling reporters, "It's a lot, you know, one week, we'll take anything, because it's really, really cold over there."
Top US envoys, including Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner, are meeting Russian and Ukrainian negotiators in Abu Dhabi this week to discuss a proposed peace deal.
Widespread damage leaves thousands without heat
The strikes caused severe disruptions, cutting off heating to over 1,000 apartment blocks in Kyiv. A power plant in Kharkiv was rendered irreparable, while residents sought refuge in metro stations, some setting up tents on platforms to escape the cold. Authorities are establishing warming centers across Kyiv and importing generators to mitigate prolonged blackouts.
Ukraine pleads for more missiles as NATO urges support
Ukraine has repeatedly warned of a missile shortage, pressing allies for additional supplies. NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, who visited Kyiv shortly after the attacks, called on member states to "dig deep in their stockpiles" to provide the weapons Ukraine needs.
Peace talks stall over territorial demands
Negotiations in Abu Dhabi face a major hurdle: Russia's insistence that Ukraine cede control of the remaining parts of the eastern Donbas region. Moscow has made incremental advances in the area since its full-scale invasion in February 2022. Trump has led diplomatic efforts to end the war, but Putin has rejected ceasefire calls.
