Putin Open to Hear Trump's Proposals for Ending Ukraine War

Kyiv: Putin is open to considering President-elect Donald Trump 's proposals for ending war, Russian official said, as a Russian drone strike in Ukrainian port city of Odesa killed one person and injured 13. Meanwhile, EU foreign policy chief held talks in Kyiv following change in U.S. leership.

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov stated that Moscow and Washington were "exchanging signals” on Ukraine through "closed channels." He did t clarify wher communication was with current ministration or with Trump and members of his incoming ministration.

Russia is willing to consider Trump's proposals on Ukraine, provided y offer "ideas on how to move forward in area of settlement, and t in area of furr pumping Kyiv regime with all kinds of aid," Ryabkov said Saturday in an interview with Russian state news ncy Interfax.

In Kyiv, Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha told reporters that Ukraine is open to working with Trump ministration.

"Remember that President (Volodymyr) Zelenskyy was one of first world leers to greet President Trump," Sybiha said. "It was a sincere conversation and an exchange of thoughts on furr cooperation." He ded, "During call, we also discussed steps to establish communication between teams, and this work has alrey begun. We are open to furr cooperation, and I am confident that our shared goal of achieving just peace unites us all."

Sybiha appeared alongside EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell, who said his visit is meant to stress European Union's support to Ukraine.

“This support remains unwavering. This support is absolutely needed, for you to continue defending yourself against Russian aggression,” he said.

Borrell urged “faster deliveries and fewer self imposed red lines” in getting Western weapons to Ukraine. He h appealed to allies in August to lift restrictions on Ukraine's use of Western-supplied long-range weapons to strike Russian military targets.

In Odesa, regional Gov. Oleh Kiper said high-rise residential buildings, private houses and warehouses in Black Sea port city were damd overnight by “fall” of a drone. He did t specify wher drone h been shot down by air defenses.

A furr 32 Russian drones were shot down over 10 Ukrainian regions, while 18 were “lost,” according to Ukraine's air force, likely having been electronically jammed.

A Russian aerial bomb struck a busy highway overnight in rastern Kharkiv province, Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekohov said. casualties were reported.

Russia is mounting an intensified aerial campaign that Ukrainian officials say y need more Western help to counter. However, doubts are deepening over what Kyiv can expect from a new U.S. ministration. Trump has repeatedly taken issue with U.S. aid to Ukraine, me vague vows to end war and has praised Russian President Vlimir Putin .

In Russia, Defense Ministry said 50 Ukrainian drones were destroyed over seven Russian regions — more than half over Bryansk region, bordering Ukraine.

(with PTI inputs)