Ukraine Live: Zelensky to discuss long-range missiles with Trump ‘for peace’

Local officials said about 30,000 people in three districts were without electricity after Russian forces attacked Kharkiv with guided bombs.

Regional governor Oleh Sinihubov said Russian forces used guided bombs to attack Nemishliansky and Slobidsky districts in the southeast of the city and Shevchenkivsky district in the north.

Mayor Ihor Terekhov, interviewed on local television, said three bombs damaged a hospital and damaged power transmission lines. About 30,000 customers were affected by the power cut.

Four people were injured, most of them from flying glass, he said, adding that some patients were shifted to different wards.

Terekhov said, “Unfortunately, the hospital was quite badly damaged and there were patients inside. Four people were injured at various levels and about 200 windows were broken.”

“Typically attacks are on energy targets – generation transmission, electricity networks. The aim is to knock down the electricity transmission network,” he said.

US President Donald Trump reiterated his belief that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan can play a key role in ending the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.

“Russia respects them. Ukraine – I can’t tell you about it. But (Vladimir) Putin respects them and he’s my friend,” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One.

Asked whether Erdogan could specifically help with the war between Russia and Ukraine, Trump said: “Yes, Erdogan can”.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he will meet with US President Donald Trump on Friday, when the two will discuss long-range missile capabilities to pressure Russia.

Announcing the departure of the Ukrainian delegation, Zelensky said: “I will have the opportunity to come to Washington and meet with President Trump on Friday. I believe we will discuss a series of steps that I want to propose. I am grateful to President Trump for our conversations and his support.”

He said long-range missile capabilities would be discussed to put pressure on Moscow “for the sake of peace.”

“I will also meet with energy companies. This is necessary – this was President Trump’s proposal – and I will meet these companies because there are urgent needs associated with different formats of attacks, not even attacks that Russia has already carried out. In any case, we must be prepared. Therefore, it will be helpful. Therefore, the main focus of the trip is on air defense and our long-range capabilities aimed at pressuring Russia for peace.”

Trump said, “Yes, I can tell him (Putin) that if the war is not resolved then we can do this.”

“We can’t, but we can do this… Do they want Tomahawk headed in their direction? I don’t think so.”

Medvedev, a staunch supporter of Trump who has repeatedly provoked Trump on social media, said it is impossible to distinguish between nuclear-carrying Tomahawk missiles and conventional missiles after launch – a point that the president Vladimir PutinThe spokesperson of has also made.

EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Kaja Kallas said Europe is ready to provide further support to Ukraine amid increasing Russian attacks.

The former Estonian prime minister met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Monday, with the latter saying “new measures are in the works”.

Britain’s cyber security agency has warned that the “significant threat” posed by Chinese and Russian hackers has contributed to a record number of serious online attacks.

The National Cyber ​​Security Center (NCSC), which is part of the GCHQ intelligence agency, reported a 50% increase in “highly significant” incidents in the year to the end of August.

The NCSC said the attacks on household names including Marks & Spencer, Co-op and Jaguar Land Rover showed the real world impact of cyber attacks.

According to Reuters, Russia attacked Kharkiv with guided bombs on Monday, knocking out power to about 30,000 customers in three districts.

The mayor of Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city, said three guided bombs damaged a hospital and struck a power transmission line, injuring four people.

He said: “Unfortunately, the hospital was quite badly damaged and there were patients inside. Four people were injured at various levels and about 200 windows were broken.”

“Attacks are typically on energy targets – generation transmission, electricity networks. The objective is to cause the electricity transmission network to stop working.”

Russia’s Defense Ministry announced earlier on Monday that its forces had taken control of two villages in eastern Ukraine. According to a statement posted on the ministry’s Telegram channel, troops captured Borivska Andreyevka in the Kharkiv region.

The ministry also reported the seizure of Kulykivske in the neighboring Donetsk region.

Ukraine and the US are reportedly closing on a landmark drone deal in which Ukraine will share drone technology with the United States.

European diplomats see such an agreement as an important tool for the US president to engage and support Ukraine.

Volodymyr Zelensky has urged European countries to act quickly on using frozen Russian assets to benefit Ukraine.

In a statement last week, the UK, France and Germany said the joint action would “increase pressure” on Vladimir Putin and “bring Russia to the negotiating table”.