Russia and Ukraine trade deadly strikes as Zelenskyy prepares to meet Trump

# Why This Matters The simultaneous escalation of military operations and diplomatic preparation signals a critical inflection point in the conflict that could reshape the war's trajectory. As Zelenskyy readies negotiations with Trump—who has promised swift resolution—Russia appears to be pursuing a military maximalist strategy, likely betting that inflicting maximum damage will weaken Ukraine's negotiating position and force territorial concessions. Ukraine's continued strikes on Russian energy infrastructure, meanwhile, target the economic foundation sustaining Russia's war effort, creating competing incentives that make compromise difficult on both sides. The outcome of a Trump-Zelenskyy meeting now carries extraordinary weight: a deal struck amid Russian offensive gains could legitimize territorial losses, while continued Ukrainian military success could harden both sides' demands and prolong the conflict indefinitely.