Zelensky to meet Trump in Washington as Ukraine escalates Crimean strikes

Ukrainian forces have intensified drone operations targeting Russian maritime assets around occupied Crimea, striking over 180 naval targets in three weeks to isolate the peninsula. The escalated offensive precedes a planned White House meeting on Tuesday between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and US President Donald Trump.

During the upcoming talks, officials are expected to discuss diplomatic frameworks to end the conflict, including a potential proposal for an aerial ceasefire. The summit comes shortly after a Russian missile strike on a military exhibition in the Kyiv region resulted in 10 deaths and nearly 100 injuries, an event Zelensky publicly noted should not have occurred.

Additionally, Zelensky warned that Moscow is preparing to deploy approximately 30,000 North Korean soldiers to bolster Russian troops. Kyiv hopes military pressure will help secure leverage in future negotiations.

Sources: HRT Vijesti, Vijesti