US President, Donald Trump has, in a Truth social post, decried Russia’s overnight attacks on Kyiv.
Moscow sent 70 missiles and 145 drones toward Ukraine, mainly targeting Kyiv, in the attack.
It was the costliest attack on the city since July 2024, when 33 people were killed in an aerial barrage that targeted a hospital and residential districts.
“I am not happy with the Russian strikes on KYIV. Not necessary, and very bad timing. Vladimir, STOP! 5000 soldiers a week are dying. Lets get the Peace Deal DONE!”
Donald Trump
At least eight people died in the attacks, and more may be trapped under rubble.
Emergency services said that Moscow’s attacks struck 13 locations in Kyiv, including residential buildings and civilian infrastructure.
Ukraine’s emergency services earlier reported that nine people had died and more than 60 had been wounded.
The Russian attacks hit after Trump and Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy became involved in a new public spat, specifically over the future of Crimea, the Ukrainian peninsula illegally annexed by Russia in 2014.
Zelenskyy has repeatedly said Ukraine would not accept that, saying it would go against the country’s constitution.
On Wednesday, Trump said that Zelensky’s position was “very harmful to the Peace Negotiations with Russia.”
The Ukrainian President said during a trip to South Africa that the bombardment was “first and foremost” aimed at “pressuring the US.”
He stressed once again that Ukraine, unlike Russia, agreed to Trump’s request for an unconditional ceasefire.
He asserted that Ukraine has done as much as possible to progress in talks with the US by signing a memorandum on minerals, after removing provisions that would contradict its constitution.
Also, Zelenskyy noted that Ukraine does not “see strong pressure on Russia now” nor new sanctions against Moscow, despite its unwillingness to progress the talks. “We believe that with greater pressure on the Russian Federation, we will be able to bring our sides closer,” he said.
He added that any further compromises can be discussed once the ceasefire is agreed.
However, he emphasized that after over three years of fighting a war of aggression with thousands killed, the willingness to sit down for talks with “the aggressor is already a compromise.”
The Ukrainian President stated that agreeing to the ceasefire would demonstrate “political goodwill” from all sides.
He iterated that Ukraine’s focus is on ending the war, and stressed the importance of returning the Ukrainian children abducted by Russia back home.
Moreover, Zelenskyy specifically called on the US to play a substantial role in guaranteeing peace as he said that the outcome of London talks should be now on Trump’s desk for consideration.
Trump’s Anger To Be Directed At Russian President
Meanwhile, French President, Emmanuel Macron said that Russian President, Vladimir Putin was the only person holding up the US-proposed and European-backed proposal.
“If President Putin says yes, the weapons will fall silent tomorrow, lives will be saved. US anger should be directed at only one person, President Putin.”
Emmanuel Macron
Speaking during a visit to Madagascar, Macron told reporters that one cannot expect Zelenskyy to accept ceasefire terms while Kyiv, the country’s capital, is being bombarded.
Also, the French President said that Putin needed to “stop lying” over wanting peace in Ukraine while continuing to strike the country.
He accused the Russian leader of telling US negotiators “he wants peace” but then continuing “to bombard Ukraine.” Macron added, “In Ukraine, they only want a single answer: Does President Putin agree to an unconditional ceasefire?”
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