Missile strikes hit Ukraine ahead of Zelensky Washington talks

Missile strikes hit Ukrainian cities as Zelensky heads to Washington for peace talks with Trump.

Ukraine struck by missiles ahead of Zelensky Washington talks

Russia launched a wave of missiles against Ukrainian cities late on Aug 17, hours before President Volodymyr Zelensky is set to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington. In Kharkiv, a missile struck a residential building in the industrial district, injuring 11 people including a 13-year-old girl; about a dozen apartment blocks and five parked cars were damaged, and more than 1,000 windows were broken by the blast wave. Explosions were also reported in Sumy, where a missile struck near an educational institution, with no casualties reported at that time. The border village of Nova Sloboda was hit by a guided aerial bomb, injuring a 57-year-old woman and damaging 10 houses, while a drone strike hit the village of Myropillia, injuring a driver who was hospitalized. In Odesa, explosions occurred amid the ongoing attack, and Ukraine’s Air Force warned of glide bomb attacks along front-line regions and the threat of drone swarms.

The Russian assault comes as Zelensky prepares to meet Trump in Washington for talks that are part of a broader push for international support amid ongoing war. The United States and European leaders have been weighing Russia’s tactics and possible terms for a peace framework, with recent reporting suggesting Moscow would seek concessions in exchange for written assurances. Trump has publicly signaled cautious optimism about negotiations, even as he has criticized Russian aggression and pressed for a constructive path forward. The broader context includes an Alaska summit where Trump and Putin discussed a possible peace process, though no binding agreement emerged. The ongoing violence underscores the fragile balance between diplomacy and military pressure as Kyiv seeks assurances and Western backing for a durable settlement.

The timing of the attacks illustrates how war-time moves can complicate diplomacy. Russia appears to blend military pressure with political signaling, aiming to shape the pace and terms of talks rather than simply seize territory. That strategy risks eroding trust among allies and fueling domestic backlash if civilians bear the cost of negotiations. The Washington visit highlights the complexity of aligning Kyiv’s expectations with Washington’s political realities. In such moments, public opinion at home and abroad can quickly tilt the negotiating table, making it harder to reach a settlement that satisfies both sides without a lasting ceasefire.

Looking ahead, analysts will watch whether the strikes push Kyiv and its partners toward greater concessions or prompt a reset in diplomacy. The civilian toll reinforces the need for humanitarian protections and credible oversight of any agreement. As Russia tests patience and perception on the world stage, the peace process remains fragile, depending as much on credible commitments and trust as on battlefield dynamics.

Highlights

Diplomacy travels a thin line between hope and hazard.