A first responder walks through destruction from Russian strikes on Kyiv, Ukraine, October 25, 2025 (Genya Savilov/AFP)

Saturday’s Coverage: “Coalition of the Willing” Urges US Involvement

UPDATE 0617 GMT:

Donald Trump has reiterated that he is no longer pursuing talks with Vladimir Putin, after the Kremlin rejected his call for discussions based on a freezing of the frontlines.

After Putin called Trump on October 16, trying to push back US supply of Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine, the two sides announced a forthcoming summit in Budapest. However, the Kremlin scuttled the plan with its insistence on seizure of more Ukrainian territory and its ongoing attack on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure and other civilian sites.

Trump declared to reporters as he headed to Asia on Saturday:

I’m going to have to know that we’re going to make a deal. I’m not going to be wasting my time. I’ve always had a great relationship with Vladimir Putin, but this has been very disappointing. I thought this would have gotten done before peace in the Middle East.

The Kremlin has been trying to win back Trump with the trip of Kirill Dmitriev, Putin’s senior financial advisor, to the US. Dmitriev, who has been in contact with the Trump camp since at least January 2017, has been featured in interviews on CNN and Fox TV.

ORIGINAL ENTRY: At least three civilians have been murdered and at least 29 injured, including seven children, in Kyiv by Russia’s overnight drone strikes on residential buildings.

The attacks came less than 24 hours after Russia killed four civilians and wounded 20. In Kyiv, two people were slain and 12 injured by ballistic missiles.

The latest explosions in the capital started around 2:35 a.m. on Sunday. Mayor Vitali Klitscko said a nine-story residential building was struck in the Desnianskyi district, damaging the 2nd and 3rd floors.

Kyiv City Military Administration head Tymur Tkachenko added that a 16-story residential facility was set afire in the district, shattering windows between the 1st and 9th floors.