Ukraine Suffers Civilian Casualties Amid Diplomatic Efforts to End Conflict

KYIV: Russia unleashed another missile and drone blitz of civilian areas in Ukraine, killing at least seven people, officials said Tuesday, as scrambled to ensure more American and European help during his visit to Norway. U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff, who along with Jared Kushner has tried without success to steer Russia and , was also in Oslo. Kushner, who is U.S. President Donald Trump's son-in-law, was to attend the meeting with Zelenskyy by videoconference. Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre and Finnish President Alexander Stubb were also due to meet with Zelenskyy in Norway's capital. "We are maintaining all contacts that can help bring peace," Zelenskyy said in a post on X after he arrived in Oslo. He said officials gathered in Norway will discuss strengthening Ukraine's air defenses and joint production of weapons. Meanwhile, Russian spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters the Kremlin hopes that a meeting in Russia with the U.S. envoys can be organized soon, though he didn't give any indication about where or when. He said Russian President Vladimir Putin's meetings with Trump's envoys — potentially as early as Wednesday — would be "very important," adding: "We highly appreciate the mediation efforts of the American negotiators."