US Ambassador to NATO, Matthew Whitaker, has said that President Donald Trump has “a lot more cards to play” in efforts to bring Russia to the peace table with Kyiv, as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned what he described as a “cynical and calculated” Russian attack that left parts of Kyiv without power.
Zelenskyy stated on October 10 that Russia launched more than 450 drones and over 30 missiles across Ukraine, with civilian and energy infrastructure being the main targets ahead of the winter season. He urged for stronger international support, saying decisive action was needed from the United States, Europe, and the G7, including the delivery of air defense systems and tougher sanctions.
In an interview with RFE/RL in Brussels, Whitaker said both sides in the nearly four-year-long conflict must make mutual concessions to achieve peace.
“There are almost — I don’t want to say unlimited cards — but certainly a lot more consequences that could be brought to bear against the Russians if they don’t pursue peace,” he said.
Zelenskyy has called on Trump to intensify pressure on Moscow to end the war — Europe’s longest and deadliest conflict since World War II. Trump has previously said he could impose new sanctions on Russia but warned that without European cooperation, such efforts would be ineffective.
Whitaker echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that sanctions on India’s purchase of Russian oil, increased arms production for Ukraine, and other measures have all heightened pressure on Moscow. However, he stressed that Europe must also act, saying:
“Instead of asking what the United States is going to do, I’d prefer to ask what we all are going to do. Europe is consequential. We need to help them transition away from Russian oil, and the EU plays a crucial role in that.”
Air Attacks On Kyiv
While diplomatic efforts to revive peace talks continue, Kyiv endured another massive wave of air attacks. Drones and missiles struck several parts of the capital, setting fires in residential buildings and leaving thousands without electricity or water.
“There’s no electricity at all,” a Kyiv resident told RFE/RL. “The power went out across the whole district after the fires.”
Kyiv Mayor Vitaliy Klitschko reported that 12 people were injured, with 8 hospitalized, and confirmed widespread power and water outages. The Ukrainian Energy Ministry said power disruptions extended beyond Kyiv to Sumy, Kharkiv, Poltava, Dnipropetrovsk, Donetsk, and Zaporizhzhya.
Deputy Prime Minister Oleksiy Kuleba said that while water service had been restored for 2 million residents, around 4,000 buildings remain without water.
Zelenskyy announced that 203 energy facilities now require urgent air defense protection and pressed the U.S. for clarification on the delivery of 10 Patriot missile batteries previously promised.
He also expressed optimism about an upcoming Coalition of the Willing meeting — a group of over 20 Western nations backing Ukraine — set to take place later this month.
Despite Moscow’s denials, international evidence continues to show Russia targeting civilian infrastructure, with the Ukrainian Air Force labeling the latest assault as “massive.”
In Zaporizhzhya, a 7-year-old child was killed in overnight drone strikes, regional governor Ivan Fedorov confirmed, calling it a “tragic consequence of Russia’s continued terror campaign.”
