Ukrainian and Russian officials are meeting in Abu Dhabi for a second round of peace talks moderated by the United States. Despite the meeting, both sides are downplaying the chances of reaching a deal anytime soon.

The talks follow a wave of heavy Russian air raids on Kyiv. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported that Moscow launched a deliberate, record-breaking attack using 71 ballistic missiles and 450 drones. The strikes targeted Ukraine's power grid just as temperatures in the capital dropped to -20C.

U.S. President Donald Trump remarked that these strikes did not violate Russia's week-long pledge to avoid hitting energy hubs. However, NATO chief Mark Rutte disagreed, stating the attacks show Russia is not serious about peace.

Sources told the Financial Times that Kyiv and its Western allies have drafted a plan for a joint U.S.-European military response if Russia breaks any future ceasefire. Meanwhile, the New START treaty, a major nuclear arms control agreement between the U.S. and Russia, is set to expire this Thursday.