Putin open to first Trump-Zelensky summit as missile strikes hit Kyiv

Russia has for the first time not ruled out a trilateral summit between Vladimir Putin, Donald Trump, and Volodymyr Zelensky on Ukraine, with Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov confirming the topic was raised in talks between the Russian leader and US envoy Steve Witkoff. Putin has set conditions for future negotiations, reiterating that eastern Ukrainian territories are "historically Russian" and stressing that the trilateral meeting must address "security guarantees for Moscow as well." Despite the dialogue openings, Zelensky reported three new waves of missile attacks on Kyiv, and Russian strikes damaged a DTEK thermal power plant. European leaders are examining potential negotiators to engage with Putin, with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Finnish President Alexander Stubb, Czech President Petr Pavel, Danish PM Mette Frederiksen, and Norwegian PM Jonas Gahr Støre all proposed, amid concerns Trump may not represent Europe's interests.