Ukraine-Russia war latest: Trump’s team set to hold peace talks in Kyiv and Moscow, says Zelensky

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Russian drones hit a Coca-Cola plant outside Kyiv on Thursday, causing a fire but no injuries. Speaking in his nightly video address, Zelensky called the attack a clear signal to America, stating that Russians cannot be unaware that the facility is American. He added that US negotiators will soon visit Moscow and Kyiv to resume peace talks, with preliminary dates already set.

Officials confirmed there were no injuries in the strike near Brovary, east of Kyiv. Andy Hunder, president of the American Chamber of Commerce in Ukraine, told Reuters that the company is working with authorities to assess the situation, with employee safety as the top priority.

Meanwhile, Vladimir Putin dismissed Russia's growing deficit as "not a critical risk" to the economy, citing low national debt levels during an economic forum in Vladivostok. He acknowledged that the Russian economy slowed sharply last year, forcing the government to raise taxes and increase borrowing to finance the war effort.

Donald Trump said European countries should repay the US for military aid and ammunition previously sent to Ukraine, claiming hundreds of billions of dollars were given free of charge. He also signaled a temporary halt to some US weapons sales to allies, stating the US is building its own munitions stockpiles amid concerns over depleted supplies, particularly as the war with Iran continues.

In other developments, Ukraine and Poland are weighing a joint bid to host the men's FIFA World Cup in the 2040s, building on their experience co-hosting the 2012 European Championship. Russia announced it will close German cultural centres in Moscow, St Petersburg, and Yekaterinburg in retaliation for Germany shutting Russian diplomatic and cultural facilities, citing alleged Russian sabotage activities including an attempted drone attack at Leipzig/Halle Airport and incendiary devices thrown at a Munich construction site.

A Ukrainian drone strike caused a major fire at an oil depot in Sochi, Russia, with videos showing a huge ball of flame and smoke. Russia also attacked Ukraine's Ukrnafta production sites, according to state oil and gas company Naftogaz, causing significant equipment damage, though no location was specified.