At least 12 people were killed in Russian airstrikes on eastern Ukraine overnight, the country’s emergency service reported on Saturday. The deadly assault comes just days before high-stakes talks between US and Ukrainian negotiators in Saudi Arabia, aimed at brokering a truce.

A Russian attack hit the center of Dobropillia in the Donetsk region late Friday, leaving 11 dead and 30 wounded. Separately, a drone strike in Bogodukhiv, Kharkiv region, killed one person and injured seven others, according to regional military head Oleg Synegubov.

The strikes follow a warning from US President Donald Trump, who threatened new sanctions and tariffs against Russia over its continued bombardment of Ukraine. However, Trump also suggested that negotiations with Moscow might be "easier" than with Kyiv, sparking controversy.

"I'm finding it more difficult to deal with Ukraine… It may be easier dealing with Russia," Trump stated, after publicly criticizing Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and suspending US aid to Kyiv in a bid to push for diplomacy.

Despite Trump's remarks, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio reaffirmed Washington’s commitment to a swift resolution of the war in a call with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha.

Zelensky is scheduled to arrive in Saudi Arabia on Monday for discussions with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Ukrainian officials will then hold further talks with US representatives the following day.

"Ukraine is most interested in peace," Zelensky stated, while renewing calls for a mutual halt to aerial attacks on critical infrastructure.

Moscow, however, has dismissed the idea of a ceasefire, continuing its strikes on Ukraine’s energy sector. Meanwhile, Russian air defense systems reportedly shot down 31 Ukrainian drones overnight, with attacks targeting oil refineries and infrastructure inside Russia.

As tensions mount, US envoy Steve Witkoff has indicated that negotiations in Saudi Arabia will focus on securing an "initial ceasefire" and establishing a long-term peace framework between Ukraine and Russia.