Russia conducted a major nuclear weapons training exercise on Wednesday, just a day after the United States delayed plans for a second summit between Presidents Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump. The drills involved practice launches of intercontinental ballistic missiles capable of reaching the United States. This escalation comes amid ongoing heavy attacks in the Ukraine war and stalled peace talks.
The Kremlin released video footage showing General Valery Gerasimov, head of Russia's General Staff, reporting to Putin on the nuclear drills. These exercises serve as a reminder of Russia's nuclear capabilities, often issued by Putin at critical points in the Ukraine conflict to warn Kyiv and its Western allies. NATO has also been running nuclear deterrence exercises this month.
The timing follows a phone call on Monday between top U.S. and Russian diplomats. The White House announced Tuesday that Trump has no plans to meet Putin "in the immediate future," with Trump stating he does not want a wasted meeting—a sentiment echoed by Moscow. Last week, Putin and Trump had agreed to a summit in Hungary, potentially within weeks, according to the Kremlin. However, Russian officials say preparations continue. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov noted, "The dates haven’t been set yet, but thorough preparation is needed before then, and that takes time."
The delay stems from Russia reiterating its peace terms to the U.S., demanding Ukraine cede the entire southeastern Donbas region, as reported by three sources to Reuters. This rejects Trump's recent call to freeze fighting at current front lines. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said preparations are ongoing, adding, "I don’t see any major obstacles. It’s a difficult process... but that’s precisely what diplomats are for."
Amid the diplomatic uncertainty, Russia launched 405 drones and 28 missiles at Ukrainian energy infrastructure overnight, killing six people including two children in Kyiv and causing nationwide power outages, per Ukrainian officials. Ukraine downed 16 missiles and 333 drones, while striking a Russian chemical plant in Bryansk with Storm Shadow missiles. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, critical of Russian diplomacy, stated, "Russian words about diplomacy mean nothing as long as the Russian leadership does not feel critical problems. And this can be ensured only through sanctions, long-range capabilities, and coordinated diplomacy among all our partners." Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha urged international partners for energy support ahead of winter. Shares in European defense firms rose on the summit delay news, as European governments bolster support for Ukraine.