• Ukraine's President Zelenskyy meets U.S. Vice President Vance and Secretary of State Rubio in Rome.
• Russia launched its largest drone strike against Ukraine since the war began, killing civilians.
• The upcoming Trump-Putin call aims to discuss potential ceasefire conditions.
• Zelenskyy emphasizes the need for sustained diplomatic pressure on Russia.
• European leaders express a commitment to collaborate for a swift resolution to the conflict.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held discussions with U.S. Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Rome on Sunday, part of intensified diplomatic efforts ahead of a critical phone call set for Monday between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. These meetings were seen as essential for strategizing a collective approach to ending the ongoing war in Ukraine, especially following Russia’s recent escalation in military actions, including its largest drone attack since the full-scale invasion began in 2022, which killed at least one woman and injured several others. The drone strikes targeted Kyiv and nearby areas, marking a significant increase in hostilities at a sensitive diplomatic moment, according to NPR and HuffPost.

The discussions coincided with the first direct talks between Russia and Ukraine in over three years in Istanbul, which ended without a ceasefire agreement but included a plan for a prisoner exchange, according to reports from Le Monde and Los Angeles Times.

Zelenskyy emphasized the necessity for a "full and unconditional ceasefire" and the imposition of sanctions against Russia during his meetings, stating that pressure on Moscow is essential for bringing an end to hostilities, as noted by Anadolu Agency and CBS News.

In the wake of these events, Trump signaled his intention to discuss terms for a proposed ceasefire with Putin, aiming to prevent further violence, a strategic transition that may reshape U.S. involvement in the conflict, according to Channel News Asia and Dawn.

Amid these discussions, the sense of urgency was evident, as Zelenskyy's administration indicated readiness for further negotiations involving multiple parties, including the EU and UK, as part of efforts to establish a stable and lasting peace, highlighting the global stakes of the conflict, as reported by India Times.