Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Wednesday amid devastating Russian attacks that killed at least 25 people in western Ukraine. The diplomatic meeting aimed at reviving peace negotiations occurred simultaneously with one of the deadliest assaults in recent weeks.
Deadly Attack on Residential Areas
In a brutal overnight assault, Russian forces launched more than 470 attack drones and 48 missiles of various types across multiple Ukrainian regions. The western city of Ternopil suffered particularly heavy casualties when two nine-story apartment buildings were struck, causing massive fires and structural collapse.
According to Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko, the death toll reached at least 25 people, with 19 victims burned alive, including three children aged 5, 7, and 16. Rescue operations continued throughout the day as two dozen people remained unaccounted for, trapped under the rubble of the destroyed residential buildings.
President Zelensky confirmed the severity of the attack in a social media post, stating, "In Ternopil, residential nine-story buildings were hit, causing fires. Unfortunately, there is significant destruction, and there may be people trapped under the rubble. All necessary emergency services are on the ground, trying to save every life."
Diplomatic Push for Peace Negotiations
Despite the ongoing violence, President Zelensky traveled to Ankara for crucial talks with Turkish President Erdogan. The meeting at the Presidential Complex marked Zelensky's latest diplomatic effort following recent visits to Greece, France, and Spain.
During a joint press conference, Zelensky emphasized that "bringing the end of the war closer with all our might is Ukraine's top priority." The Ukrainian leader also indicated that efforts would focus on resuming prisoner exchanges between the warring nations.
The Turkish-mediated talks come amid reports that Washington has been secretly developing a roadmap to end the conflict. According to Reuters, Kyiv had received 'signals' about a set of US proposals that American officials have discussed with Russia, though Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov denied any substantial developments.
Stalled Negotiations and Unchanged Demands
Peace efforts face significant hurdles as no direct talks between Kyiv and Moscow have occurred since July meetings in Istanbul. Russia maintains its original demands, including Ukraine's renunciation of NATO membership plans and withdrawal of troops from four provinces Moscow claims as Russian territory.
Ukraine has consistently rejected these conditions, creating a diplomatic stalemate that shows no immediate signs of resolution. The recent attacks have further complicated negotiation prospects, with Zelensky noting that "every brazen attack against ordinary life proves that the pressure on Russia is still insufficient."
The Ukrainian president called for more effective sanctions and increased military assistance to counter Russian aggression, suggesting that international support could potentially change the conflict's dynamics.
