Russian attacks kill at least 3 in Ukraine as U.S. talks on the war are expected

# Why This Matters The timing of these Russian attacks reveals a fundamental tension shaping Ukraine's near-term future: Moscow continues to pursue military advantage even as diplomatic channels open, suggesting it either doubts a negotiated settlement will occur or believes it can strengthen its negotiating position through ongoing violence. For Ukrainian civilians, this pattern means the human cost of the conflict will likely remain severe during any peace talks, as Russia has historically used military pressure to extract maximum concessions at the negotiating table. The U.S. envoy visit—a significant diplomatic signal—now occurs against a backdrop of active killing, which will test whether American mediators can build enough goodwill with Kyiv to discuss territorial or other compromises while Russian forces are still actively targeting civilian populations. How Ukraine responds to simultaneous attacks and peace overtures will largely determine whether any talks gain traction or collapse before substantive negotiations begin.