VOLODYMYR Zelensky has visited drone-flying troops on Ukraine’s frontline near a city that Russia is desperately trying to take.
It comes as peace talks are set to continue on Monday in Saudi Arabia and Donald Trump’s envoy to Kyiv has labelled Vladimir Putin “not a bad person”.
Footage released by the President showed him walking through underground trenches and discussing plans in a command bunker.
He visited a part of the front near Pokrovsk called the Drone Line – where the best pilots in the locally stationed elite regiment fly their craft from.
Zelensky delivered medals to soldiers in the 59th Separate Assault Brigade of Unmanned Systems and spoke to them about their fighting.
Ukraine has attempted to create a 10-15km deep kill zone at the front line where Russian troops advancing will be slaughtered.
Ukrainian diplomats will be preparing to meet on Monday with US officials as the next round of talks get underway in Saudi Arabia.
But Trump’s lead negotiator has said Putin is “not a bad person” ahead of the talks.
US special Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff has said in a new interview that he “liked him [Putin]. I think he was honest with me.
“It’s a complicated situation, this war, and all the components that led to it. You know, it’s never just one person who’s right.”
The European Union has agreed that it must be ready to defend itself against a Russian attack by 2030, Donald Tusk confirmed.
Despite leaders unable to agree on the scheme, it was accepted that Europe must bolster its defence in the face of Russian threats within a mere few years.
He said: “By 2030 Europe must be, in terms of army, weapons, technology, clearly stronger than Russia. And it will be.”
Meanwhile Number 10 has clarified that “nothing is off the table” over possible peacekeeping troop deployment for war-torn Ukraine.
Downing Street said on behalf of Sir Keir Starmer that “thousands” of personnel would be needed to support any operation whether by “sea, on land or in the air” as allies prepare “for all eventualities”.
The coalition planning also continues to intensify as British military planners will meet again at the Northwood base in London next week to discuss how the force could work.
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