Zelenskyy's January Deadline: Peace Summit or More War

Security advisers from Ukraine's top allies met in Kyiv on Saturday to discuss a U.S.-brokered plan to end the war with Russia. Officials from 15 countries, including the UK, France, and Germany, attended. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said talks will continue next week in Paris and then with U.S. negotiators. He hopes for a leaders' summit in the United States by the end of January. "If our partners do not compel Russia to stop the war, there will be another path: to defend ourselves," Zelenskyy stated. He warned Ukraine will not sign any peace deal that fails to deter a future Russian invasion. Diplomatic efforts have increased recently. However, a major disagreement remains over territory. Russia occupies about 20% of Ukraine and demands control of the eastern Donbas region. The meeting followed a week of deadly attacks. Russian strikes on Kharkiv and Kherson killed several civilians, including a child. Russia also accused Ukraine of a drone attack that killed 28 people; Ukraine said it targeted a military gathering. Separately, Russia strongly condemned a U.S. military operation in Venezuela that captured President Nicolás Maduro. The Russian foreign ministry called for Maduro's release and expressed solidarity with Venezuela, a key Russian ally. It did not offer immediate military aid.