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U.N. Live Updates: Zelensky Speaks Hours After New Russian Strikes on Kyiv
Confirmed
In Short: U.S. President Donald Trump on Sunday urged Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to halt strikes on Russian oil refineries, saying attacks on the country's energy infrastructure were contributing to a diesel shortage.
The remarks came on the same day that Ukrainian officials reported Russian attacks close to the Polish border, with Russian drones pummelling the Black Sea port of Odesa and starting a fire near a border crossing with Poland.
Trump's call for Zelenskyy to stop attacks on Russian refineries adds a new point of tension to the US approach to the conflict, particularly as Washington seeks to push the two sides towards a negotiated settlement.
Meanwhile, Russian authorities announced Ukrainian drone attacks on the city of Sochi and the Belgorod region, resulting in casualties.
Five people were killed and another 67 were injured on Thursday after a Russian drone hit a shopping center in Pavlohrad, in Ukraine’s Dnipropetrovsk region.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed condolences to the victims’ families and accused Russia of attacking civilians.
Ukraine’s long-range strikes have been targeting Russia’s oil and gas industry for months, which Kyiv says both funds and directly fuels Moscow’s more than four-year-old invasion of its neighbor.
Russian forces shot down 389 Ukrainian drones during the night, Russia’s defense ministry said Sunday.
At least nine people were injured in a “massive” Russian nighttime attack on Odesa, according to Serhii Lysak, who heads the city’s military administration.
A Russian drone attack on Saturday struck a residential high-rise in Odesa, killing two people and injuring 26 others, Ukrainian officials said.
Background
A Russian FPV drone struck a civilian car in Sumy Oblast, killing four people, including two young children.
India has warned the US that new measures to levy tariffs on Russian oil could harm bilateral ties, as the US seeks to pressure Russia over its invasion of Ukraine.
What's confirmed
- US President Donald Trump on Sunday urged Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to halt strikes on Russian oil refineries, saying attacks on the country's energy infrastructure were contributing to a diesel shortage.
- “Mr. Zelensky has to do one thing. He has to stop knocking out diesel fuel in Russia,” Trump said.
What's still developing
- Trump responded by calling on the Ukrainian leader to stop targeting Russian diesel production.
- Speaking to reporters while attending the Irish Open at his golf course in Doonbeg, Ireland, Trump was asked whether he had spoken with Zelenskyy following his recent conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
- The latest attacks come amid an intensifying Russian air campaign against Ukraine.
- Moscow has increasingly relied on drones and missiles to strike Ukrainian infrastructure, including energy facilities, while Kyiv has expanded its campaign against targets inside Russia.
- The exchange of strikes has complicated diplomatic efforts to bring the war to an end, with Trump continuing to press both Moscow and Kyiv towards negotiations.
- Trump's latest comments specifically place pressure on Kyiv over its campaign against Russia's energy infrastructure.
- Ukraine War · 06 September, 2026 · 3 min read US envoys Witkoff and Kushner met Zelensky in Kyiv after Moscow talks with Putin The trip is a renewed push to end Russia's invasion of Ukraine following Putin meeting 17 outlets, one story, no spin found. 12 of 20 outlets skipped it: US envoys Witkoff and Kushner met Zelensky after Moscow talks.
- The BBC reported Zelensky said he expects the war with Russia to continue into the winter, and it said the discussions finished without an announcement of a major breakthrough after the talks lasted several hours behind closed doors.
- The BBC framed the Kyiv round as a continuation of diplomacy without a breakthrough, saying Witkoff was "encouraged" by what he called "substantive" and important talks in Kyiv.
- NBC News said Zelenskyy told reporters that Ukraine’s "proposals are ready" and that the next steps would be announced in the coming weeks, while the BBC said Zelensky stressed Ukraine would need air defence and energy support if the war continues into winter.
- “ next steps would be announced in the coming weeks ” The BBC reported that after the talks, Zelensky said officials from Ukraine, Europe and America would meet in the near future to continue discussions, and it said Ukraine confirmed it struck an oil refinery, an airfield, and two air defence systems.
- The Independent also said Putin ordered Russian forces to halt strikes on Kyiv after receiving a request through diplomatic and intelligence channels, while Ukraine has said it will similarly refrain from striking Moscow through Monday.
Sources
- Azernewslink
- Informatlink
- Newscordlink
- Washingtonsunlink
- Justthenewslink
- Fox Newslink
- Thejournallink
- WarpBeat — background on Russian Drone Strike Kills Four Civilians in Sumy Oblast link
- WarpBeat — background on Russian Strikes Kill at Least 10 in Ukraine, Damage Key Infrastructure link
- public domain / DVIDS — video link