Ukraine-Russia War Latest: Zelensky Announces US-Ukrainian Talks Ahead of Possible Putin Summit

Published: 25 August 2025. The English Chronicle Desk

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has reiterated his commitment to “push Russia towards peace” as Kyiv commemorated its Independence Day on Sunday. The ceremony, marking Ukraine’s 1991 declaration of independence from the Soviet Union, was attended by US envoy Keith Kellogg, with Zelensky emphasizing that a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin remains “the most effective way forward” to end the ongoing conflict.

The celebrations were overshadowed by fresh tensions as Russia accused Kyiv of launching a large-scale drone attack that ignited a fire at a nuclear power plant in the western Kursk region. Meanwhile, reports indicate that for several months, the United States has restricted Ukraine from launching long-range missile strikes into Russian territory. According to the Wall Street Journal, this follows a Pentagon-introduced review mechanism that has effectively limited Kyiv’s operational capabilities. As a result, Ukraine has been unable to deploy US-made Army Tactical Missile Systems (Atacms) or British-produced Storm Shadow missiles, both of which require US targeting data to be operational. Zelensky, however, responded by stating that Ukraine has recently been relying on its own weapons without consulting Washington regarding its strikes.

In addition to these operational constraints, Zelensky revealed that US and Ukrainian officials are scheduled to meet later this week to prepare for a potential summit with President Putin, as well as to discuss possible security guarantees. Speaking at a joint briefing in Kyiv with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store, Zelensky also emphasized Ukraine’s goal to secure at least $1 billion per month from allies to fund purchases of US weapons for its defense efforts. He further noted that Norway could play a role in providing air defense and maritime security guarantees for Ukraine.

On the battlefield, Russia’s defense ministry claimed that its forces have captured the settlement of Zaporizke in Ukraine’s Dnipropetrovsk region, though these reports could not be independently verified.

In a separate development, Zelensky expressed gratitude to world leaders who sent letters of support on Ukraine’s Independence Day. King Charles of the United Kingdom praised the “unbreakable courage and spirit of the Ukrainian people,” while Pope Leo called for dialogue to replace conflict, hoping the “clamour of arms may fall silent.” Former US President Donald Trump urged for an immediate end to the “senseless killing” and advocated a negotiated settlement to achieve lasting peace while safeguarding Ukraine’s sovereignty and dignity. Letters from Chinese President Xi Jinping, a close ally of President Putin, made no mention of the conflict; China has maintained a publicly neutral stance since Russia’s invasion.

Meanwhile, Kazakhstan’s energy ministry reported that its oil exports via the Russian port of Ust-Luga continued uninterrupted despite recent Ukrainian drone attacks. Ukraine’s drone strike on Sunday targeted the terminal and coincided with a sharp drop in the capacity of a reactor at one of Russia’s largest nuclear power plants, igniting a significant blaze at the key fuel export facility.

As the war enters its third year, Zelensky’s call for diplomacy combined with sustained military pressure underscores Kyiv’s dual approach of negotiation and defense, reflecting the complex geopolitical dynamics at play in the region.