Zelenskiy Accuses Russia of Exploiting Energy Truce Amidst Peace Talks

President Zelenskiy accuses Russia of using a U.S.-backed energy truce to stockpile munitions, leading to attacks with drones and ballistic missiles just before peace talks. Kyiv suffers power outages as peace negotiations face territorial disputes. The coldest winter in years intensifies Ukraine's struggles.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has charged Russia with taking advantage of a U.S.-supported energy pause, allegedly to amass munitions and launch fresh attacks on Ukraine. This accusation comes at a critical moment just ahead of peace discussions set to occur in Abu Dhabi.

Zelenskiy criticized the overnight assaults, which included a significant use of drones and ballistic missiles targeting Ukraine's energy infrastructure, exacerbating the country's power crisis amidst freezing winter temperatures.

The peace negotiations, entangled in territorial disputes, have seen little progress, with the main contention being Russia's demand for territorial concessions, which Ukraine resists amid the grinding impact of Russia's military advances.

(With inputs from agencies.)