Pentagon officials in Ukraine seeking an end to conflict with Russia

Senior Pentagon officials have arrived in Ukraine to advance discussions on ending the country’s ongoing conflict with Russia, the US military confirmed.

The delegation — led by US Army Secretary Dan Driscoll — is expected to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv on Thursday, following his return from Turkey.

The visit represents the highest-level US military engagement in the Ukrainian capital since President Donald Trump took office in January 2017, the BBC reported.

Army spokesman Col. David Butler said Driscoll and his team are on a fact-finding mission to assess military aid, review battlefield conditions, and explore potential paths to restart peace talks.

Joining Driscoll are US Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George; Gen. Chris Donahue, commander of US Army Europe and Africa; and Sergeant Major of the Army Michael Weimer.

Diplomatic momentum

The delegation is also evaluating whether discussions with Russian officials might be possible, though no such meetings are currently planned.

Their visit comes as diplomatic momentum grows around a new peace proposal reportedly being drafted by Washington and Moscow — though the plan has not been publicly confirmed.

Early reports suggest the framework could include territorial concessions by Ukraine and major reductions to its armed forces.

While the Biden administration has not endorsed any specific arrangement, officials continue to stress that Ukraine’s sovereignty remains a guiding principle even as new diplomatic pathways are explored.

Zelensky to meet Erdogan

In Kyiv, Zelensky has indicated a willingness to reengage in dialogue and is preparing to meet Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to discuss what he has called a “just peace” for Ukraine.

At the same time, US officials — among them Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff and Russian envoy Kirill Dmitriev — are believed to be drafting a 28-point plan aimed at breaking the stalemate.

Although details remain under wraps, Washington continues to press for a negotiated settlement, emphasizing diplomacy as fighting on the ground persists.

Russian strikes

An overnight Russian drone strike wounded at least 36 people in Ukraine's Kharkiv, authorities said Wednesday, the third such attack on the eastern region in three days.

Moscow has been intensifying its daily drone and missile barrages in recent months, targeting Ukraine's energy infrastructure and hitting a number of civilian sites ahead of winter.

Kharkiv police said at least 36 people were wounded in the latest overnight attack, which damaged more than 10 apartment buildings, a school, a supermarket and an ambulance substation, among other buildings.

Two children aged nine and 13 were among those wounded, police said, adding "doctors diagnosed the children with acute stress reactions".

State media Suspilne said rescuers and police evacuated 48 people, including three children, from the smoke-filled entrance of a high-rise building, citing regional emergency services spokesperson Yevgen Vasylenko.

On Wednesday morning, the whole of Ukraine was under an air raid alert, with authorities in several western cities issuing warnings to their residents.

"The enemy is attacking western Ukraine with drones. Do not ignore the alert! Stay in shelters," Lviv Mayor Andriy Sadovy wrote on Telegram.

"Residents of Lviv region, please do not publish any photos, videos, addresses. Keep the informational silence," he said.

Ukraine's energy ministry said Russian attacks had resulted in emergency power outages in a number of regions.

In October, Moscow launched its biggest bombing campaign against Ukrainian gas facilities since the start of the 2022 invasion.

Facing another gruelling winter and no sign of peace talks, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is on a European tour trying to garner support for his army and energy infrastructure.

Exhausted and outnumbered Ukrainian troops are struggling to fend off the larger Russian army as it advances on the front in eastern Ukraine, claiming two more villages on Tuesday.