KYIV / WASHINGTON – September 27, 2026 – U.S. President Donald Trump said Saturday he wants Volodymyr Zelenskyy to “settle with Putin” before winter, on a weekend when Russia hit Kyiv for a third straight night and strikes across five Ukrainian regions killed eight people, including children.
“You know what I want him to do? Make a deal,” Trump said, talking about his UN-week meeting with the Ukrainian president. “I want him to settle with Putin, and I want Putin to settle with him.” He said the two men were “going along” and that a deal might come “before the heavy winter.”
Zelenskyy’s public answer has been the same all week: pressure first. He told partners Russia escalates every day and that U.S. and EU sanctions have to get harder. He has offered an energy ceasefire if Moscow matches it. Putin has said proposals are on the table and that Ukraine should “feel” retaliatory strikes.
The strikes did not wait for a table in the Emirates. Overnight into Sunday, Russia launched 170 drones, 76 of them jet-powered Shaheds, Ukraine’s air force said. Defences claimed 147. Hits were logged at 18 sites. Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said a non-residential building in Shevchenkivskyi was hit Sunday morning; a woman and two 16-year-olds were hurt. Zelenskyy said a Kyiv data centre was struck twice. Prosecutors said a repair shop and more than 30 vehicles were destroyed and that a man was killed. In Kyiv region, one person died and three were injured.
UNN, citing emergency and police services, put the Sept. 26–27 toll at eight dead and 42 wounded in Zaporizhzhia, Odesa, Donetsk, Sumy and Dnipropetrovsk. An 11-month-old girl was among the injured. Homes, businesses, clinics and schools were damaged. Donetsk police counted 1,309 strikes on the region on Saturday alone.
Ukraine kept hitting Russian refineries and plants. Krasnodar officials said a drone attack killed three. Zelenskyy confirmed strikes on the Ilsky refinery and a Rostov weapons factory.
Trump wants a settlement before the cold. Kyiv is stacking generators. The third night of drones on the capital is the part of the file that does not need a readout.
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