Ukraine escalates missile and drone strikes before Abu Dhabi talks; Zelensky seeks Patriots, Putin holds firm

Fighting in Ukraine has intensified with missile and drone attacks ahead of trilateral talks scheduled for Tuesday in the United Arab Emirates, as President Volodymyr Zelensky urgently requested additional Patriot systems from the US. Russian forces launched a ballistic missile attack on the Kyiv region following a Ukrainian drone strike on Russian oil refineries. Zelensky warned that Russia is preparing a major strike on Ukrainian energy infrastructure, while Moscow maintains its demand for Ukrainian neutrality and non-NATO membership. Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed optimism about the negotiations and thanked UAE leadership for mediation. European sources fear Donald Trump may favor Moscow following his defeat, adding uncertainty to the upcoming talks that could shape the conflict's trajectory.