President Donald Trump says it's possible that Ukraine can defeat Russia, but he's doubtful that it will happen. The latest comments from Trump added a fresh layer of skepticism toward Kyiv as he plans to meet again with Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss ending the war. Trump on Monday said Ukrainians "could still win it" but added, "I don't think they will." Trump last month reversed his long-held position that Ukraine would have to concede land and said it could win back all the territory it has lost to Russia. But he changed his position again last week after holding a call with Putin and meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Russia is intensifying drone strikes on Ukraine's rail network, a critical lifeline for commercial freight, passenger traffic and military logistics. A recent "double tap" drone attack in northeast Ukraine, less than 43 miles from the Russian border, killed a 71-year-old man, injured at least eight people and destroyed train cars. Ukrainian officials say strikes have surged since the summer, driven by upgraded Russian drones equipped with cameras and radio modems that allow operators to detect air defenses and carry out precision strikes. Ukraine's rapid repair crews are keeping trains running, but experts warn that the continued strikes are likely to take a bigger toll on the country's transport and energy infrastructure.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says Russian forces have launched powerful glide bombs and drones against Kharkiv and hit a hospital. Officials said that the attack on Ukraine's second-largest city wounded seven people and forced the evacuation of 50 patients at the hospital. Zelenskyy said Tuesday that the main targets were energy facilities. The assault is part of Russia's ongoing campaign to disable Ukraine's power supply. Zelenskyy is set to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington on Friday to seek more American military support including air defense systems. Trump has warned Moscow he may send Tomahawk cruise missiles for use by Ukraine. That could escalate tensions but also push Moscow toward negotiations.

Ukraine has launched long-range drone and missile attacks on key Russian targets. Authorities said Monday that these included an ammunition plant, an oil terminal in Crimea and a weapons depot. The strikes are part of Ukraine's strategy to pressure Russia's military logistics. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the country is using domestically produced weapons and aims to expand these capabilities with foreign funding. Ukraine's defense industry is growing with plans to export surplus weapons by the end of the year. The country hopes to provide at least half of its front-line weapons needs with domestically produced arms.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned the United States that supplies of long-range missiles to Ukraine will seriously damage relations between Moscow and Washington but will not change the situation on the battlefield. At the same time, Putin hailed U.S. President Donald Trump's efforts to help negotiate peace in Ukraine and described their August summit in Alaska as productive. Speaking Thursday at a forum of foreign policy experts in Russia's southern resort of Sochi, Putin appeared to appeal to Trump and his conservative supporters, hailing Charlie Kirk as a hero assassinated for promoting the same conservative values that Russia shares.

Ukraine is sharing its expertise in drone defense with European countries. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says Ukrainian military experts are in Denmark for joint exercises. European defense ministers recently agreed to build a "drone wall" along their borders with Russia and Ukraine. It aims to improve detection and interception of drones. Ukraine's experience is seen as crucial for this project. Denmark has reported drone sightings at military facilities and airports. Polish airspace has also been breached by Russian drones. NATO is increasing aerial surveillance in the Baltic Sea amid strained relations with Moscow.

Ukrainian officials have led 60 foreign diplomats on a tour of damaged government offices in Kyiv. This follows Russia's largest aerial attack on Ukraine since its full-scale invasion began over three years ago. On Sunday, more than 800 drones and decoys were used in the assault, killing four people, including a mother and her infant. The attack hit Kyiv's main government building for the first time. Ukrainian Prime Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko condemned the attack as a mockery of diplomatic efforts. Ukraine and European leaders are urging Washington to increase economic sanctions on Russia.

Russian President Vladimir Putin says that any foreign troops deployed to Ukraine, particularly while its invasion is still ongoing, would be considered "legitimate targets" by Moscow's forces. Putin's comments on Friday came hours after European leaders repledged their commitment to a potential peacekeeping force. Putin said that "we assume that they will be legitimate targets" if any foreign troops are deployed to Ukraine "especially now while fighting is ongoing." Putin made the remarks at an economic forum in the far eastern Russian city of Vladivostok. Putin also dismissed the idea of peacekeeping forces in Ukraine after any final peace deal.

French President Emmanuel Macron says that 26 of Ukraine's allies have pledged to deploy troops as a "reassurance force" for the war-torn country once fighting ends in the conflict with Russia. Speaking after a meeting of the so-called "coalition of the willing" in Paris, Macron says the countries have committed to deploying troops in Ukraine — or to maintaining a presence on land, at sea, or in the air — to help guarantee the country's security the day after a ceasefire or peace is achieved. Earlier Thursday, Macron and other European leaders met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the the U.S. envoy for peace talks, Steve Witkoff.

Authorities say a mass Russian drone and missile attack on Ukraine's capital has killed at least 21 people and wounded 48. The attack early Thursday on Kyiv was the first major Russian combined attack on Kyiv in weeks as U.S.-led peace efforts struggle to gain traction. A Ukrainian official says Russia launched decoy drones, cruise missiles and ballistic missiles and struck at least 20 locations across seven districts of Kyiv. This is the first major combined attack on Kyiv since U.S. President Donald Trump met Russian President Vladimir Putin earlier this month to discuss ending the three-year war in Ukraine.