Ukraine’s national security chief says he hopes to arrange President Volodymyr Zelensky’s visit to the United States “at the earliest suitable date” this month, as diplomatic efforts to stop the war continue.
Rustem Umerov, head of Ukraine’s security council, said on Tuesday that Washington and Kyiv had reached “a common understanding on the key terms” discussed during previous talks in Geneva.
The White House has not commented on the possibility of direct talks between President Donald Trump and President Zelensky.
Meanwhile, US officials confirmed they will soon meet Russian representatives in Abu Dhabi.
Overnight Strikes Continue on Both Sides
Despite ongoing diplomacy, fighting continued overnight with both Russia and Ukraine launching air attacks.
Ukrainian officials reported at least six deaths in Russian strikes on Kyiv, while Russian authorities said at least three people were killed in a Ukrainian strike in the Rostov region.
Umerov said Ukraine plans for Zelensky to travel to the US “at the earliest suitable date in November” to finalize a deal with President Trump. He added that both sides had reached “a common understanding on the core terms” of the peace plan discussed on Sunday in Geneva.
A US official told the BBC that Ukraine had “agreed to a peace deal,” though some “minor details” still must be resolved.
Competing Peace Proposals and Disagreements
Despite progress between Washington and Kyiv, there remains a significant gap between what Ukraine and Russia would accept. The Kremlin is unlikely to agree to terms Kyiv considers acceptable.
An earlier draft of a US peace plan was criticized by Ukraine and several European countries for being too favorable to Russia. A revised counter-proposal drafted by the UK, France, and Germany removed any recognition of Russian-occupied territories, expanded Ukraine’s allowed army size, and left open the possibility of Ukraine joining NATO.
Zelensky welcomed the updated version, saying it now includes “many correct elements” and that the steps to end the war are more achievable.
Russia rejected the amendments as “completely unconstructive.” Still, a US official confirmed their team will meet Russian representatives in Abu Dhabi to continue discussions.
Russia Awaits Updated Negotiation Framework
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Moscow has not yet received the latest “interim” version of the revised plan. He argued that the proposal should reflect the “spirit and letter” of the Alaska talks held between Trump and Vladimir Putin in August.
Separately, UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said European allies will hold a virtual “coalition of the willing” meeting to discuss the latest developments. Zelensky called his conversation with Starmer “good and very productive.”
Kyiv Hit by Multiple Strikes
During the latest barrage, fires broke out at residential buildings in Kyiv’s Dniprovskyi and Pechersk districts, prompting evacuations.
Emergency responders said 18 people were rescued, including children. Ukraine’s air defence responded across the city as residents were urged to take shelter.
Ukraine’s Ministry of Energy reported a “massive, combined attack” targeting the country’s energy infrastructure.
According to Zelensky, Russia launched 22 missiles and more than 460 drones overnight.
NATO scrambled jets over Romania—its third drone interception in four days—while Russian drones were detected in Moldova.
Russia’s defence ministry said it intercepted 249 Ukrainian drones overnight across several regions.
Casualties Reported in Russia’s Southern Regions
In Rostov, Russian officials raised the death toll from a Ukrainian strike to three people, with two dying in hospital. Taganrog’s mayor promised “necessary response measures,” and 10 people were reported injured.
Krasnodar’s governor described Ukraine’s overnight bombardment as “one of the most sustained and massive attacks” to date.
Debate Over the US–Russia Peace Plan
The original peace plan drafted by US and Russian officials last month caused concern in Kyiv and among European governments for appearing too advantageous to Moscow.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt rejected claims that the Trump administration was not treating both sides fairly.
Following the latest Geneva talks, Trump suggested that “something good may be happening,” while cautioning: “Don’t believe it until you see it.”
Zelensky praised the proposed adjustments but said the biggest obstacle remains Putin’s demand for legal recognition of territories seized by Russia.
Russia continues to insist on Ukraine’s complete withdrawal from all of Donbas and maintains control of Crimea, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia.
EU: No Return to ‘Business as Usual’
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said any final peace agreement must prevent another Russian invasion and that Moscow should “definitely not” be allowed back into the G8.
“We can’t go back to business as usual,” she told BBC Radio 4.
Tens of thousands of soldiers and civilians have been killed or injured since Russia’s full-scale invasion began in February 2022, with millions displaced.