# Ukraine Navigates Trump's U-Turn

> Zelensky seeks Starshield and Patriot missiles as Russia escalates drone attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure.
- Title: Ukraine Navigates Trump's U-Turn · Foreign Policy | Shortify
- Summary: Zelensky seeks Starshield and Patriot missiles as Russia escalates drone attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure. Ukraine urgently needs Starshield and…
- Keywords: ukraine, russia, starshield, patriot missiles, u.s. president trump, kyiv, energy infrastructure, drone attacks, ballistic missiles, united nations, kyiv school of economics, u.s. intelligence sharing
- Source: Foreign Policy — https://foreignpolicy.com/2026/10/20/ukraine-russia-talks-trump-starshield
- Author: Keith Johnson
- Published: 2026-10-21T00:00:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: ukraine, russia, starshield, patriot missiles, u.s. president trump, kyiv, energy infrastructure, drone attacks, ballistic missiles, united nations, kyiv school of economics, u.s. intelligence sharing
## U.S. President Trump's U-Turn
U.S. President Donald Trump said he would be open to talks with Russia and China over Ukraine's future.

> Russia, frankly, has been fine on Ukraine. They haven’t been doing much.
## Escalating Russian Attacks
Russia launched 4,000 attacks on civilian targets in Ukraine in September, a 65 percent increase over the previous year.
## Energy Infrastructure Under Threat
Over 300 civilians killed last month, an 85 percent increase over the previous year, with 145 strikes damaging Ukrainian energy infrastructure.
## Zelensky's Plea for Support
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is pleading for Starshield restoration, full intelligence sharing, and Patriot missile delivery.
## Winter Threatens Ukraine
Russia aims to leave Ukrainians in the dark and cold during winter to break popular support for continuing the fight.
## Kyiv's Power Crisis
Over half a million people without power after weekend attacks, with Russia targeting Kyiv's power plants.
## Ukraine's Energy Response
Ukraine has stepped up aerial attacks on Russian oil facilities, reducing Moscow's energy earnings significantly.
## Zelensky's Oslo Talks
Zelensky met with U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff in Oslo, Norway, with Jared Kushner joining remotely.
## Ukraine's Power System
Ukraine has lost two-thirds of its prewar electricity generation capacity after 2,000 strikes since mid-July.
## Transmission Strikes
Russia systematically targets high-voltage transmission to disrupt Ukraine's power system and prevent European assistance.
## Key takeaway

Ukraine urgently needs Starshield and Patriot missiles after Russia's intensified drone and missile strikes on energy facilities.