In a dramatic turn of events, Russia has rejected peace talks between President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, despite U.S. President Donald Trump’s efforts to facilitate a summit. Sergey Lavrov, Russia’s foreign minister, announced that no meeting is scheduled. While Trump held discussions with both Putin and Zelensky, Russia launched a series of missile strikes on Ukraine, targeting an electronics plant linked to a US company. This escalation came amid conflicting reports regarding the influence Trump has in ending the war. JD Vance, Trump’s vice president, maintains optimism for a diplomatic solution but acknowledged potential obstacles. Meanwhile, Ukraine launched targeted attacks on Russian infrastructure, including a nuclear power plant and a key oil pipeline, raising concerns about the effectiveness of diplomatic efforts. A drone strike on the Kursk Nuclear Power Plant in western Russia has significantly impacted its operational capacity. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirmed stable radiation levels near the site. Ukraine’s attacks also targeted the Unecha pumping station in Bryansk, disrupting oil supplies to Hungary and Slovakia, causing an immediate halt to deliveries. Hungary’s foreign ministers have expressed concern over the potential five-day shutdown of the Druzhba pipeline due to this attack. The escalating conflict underscores a growing chasm between Trump’s claims of progress and the reality on the ground in Ukraine.