On December 27, 2025, Russia conducted a significant military assault on Kyiv and various parts of Ukraine, deploying approximately 500 drones and 40 missiles. This attack resulted in power outages and heating disruptions in the capital, as reported by Ukraine's air force, which indicated that the strikes were a response to ongoing peace negotiations facilitated by the United States.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy characterized the assault as a demonstration of Russia's opposition to diplomatic efforts aimed at concluding the nearly four-year conflict initiated by Russia's invasion in 2022. The air raid alert for Kyiv lasted nearly ten hours, concluding at 11:20 a.m. local time. The attacks resulted in two fatalities and at least 46 injuries, including two children.

In the aftermath, Ukraine's state grid operator, Ukrenergo, reported that energy infrastructure was targeted, leading to emergency power cuts affecting around 600,000 households in Kyiv and surrounding areas. The strikes also temporarily closed airports in Rzeszow and Lublin, Poland, although they were later reopened.

Zelenskyy was en route to a meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump in Florida, where discussions were expected to focus on security guarantees and territorial control post-conflict. The future of the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant and the eastern region of Donetsk remain contentious issues in the negotiations. Zelenskyy indicated that a draft peace document, largely supported by the U.S., was nearing completion but emphasized the need for robust security guarantees to prevent further Russian aggression.

Trump stated that the U.S. would play a pivotal role in the negotiations, asserting that any agreements would require his approval. The potential establishment of a free economic zone in Donetsk, contingent on Ukrainian troop withdrawals, was also mentioned as part of the discussions. Zelenskyy expressed willingness to hold a referendum on the proposed plan, contingent upon a ceasefire, although he noted that such a process was unfeasible while hostilities continued.

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov acknowledged discrepancies between Ukraine's proposed plan and previous discussions with the U.S. but expressed hope for progress towards a resolution.