Ukraine launches nearly 1,200 drones at Russia as European diplomats join peace talks

Ukraine launched nearly 1,200 drones at Russian targets overnight in one of its largest aerial attacks of the war, while US-led peace talks expanded to include broader European security arrangements, alarming European leaders about NATO's future role. US envoys briefed Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky after talks in Abu Dhabi, with negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner saying Russia agreed to include European diplomats from the UK, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, and the EU in upcoming discussions. European leaders expressed wariness over Russian maneuvering and Trump's praise for Putin, with EU diplomat Kaja Kallas warning that discussing Russia's security demands would walk into traps. Russia's defense ministry said it downed 1,198 Ukrainian drones, though strikes killed seven people and wounded 17 across three regions, while Ukraine reported hitting an oil refinery in Volgograd. Zelensky also complained about US-imposed speed limits on Starshield satellite systems restricting Ukrainian drones to 161 kilometers per hour, hindering defense against Russian attacks.