Summary
- Kyiv
envoy criticized Russia’s “terror” undermining peace efforts. - Russia
launched intense drone and missile attacks on Ukraine. - Attacks
targeted cities, civilian infrastructure, and energy facilities.
A day before White House meetings with Ukrainian President
Volodymyr Zelensky, who has been advocating for long-range Tomahawk missiles,
Trump called Putin, whom he promised to visit again, this time in Hungary.
“Russia once again chose missiles over dialogue, turning
this attack into a direct blow to ongoing peace efforts led by President Trump,”
Ambassador Olga Stefanishyna said in a statement after major overnight strikes
by Moscow led to power cuts across Ukraine.
“These assaults show that Moscow’s strategy is one of terror
and exhaustion,”
she said.
Ukraine’s objection raises worries that any strategic
engagement between the US and Russia could neglect Kyiv’s interests, or compel
Ukraine to make concessions.
Zelensky has underscored the need for “reliably
guaranteed security,” and called for a peace based
upon the principles of Ukraine’s territorial integrity.
“The only effective response is pressure — through tougher
sanctions, reinforced air defense and the supply of long-range capabilities,”
Stefanishyna said.
The speed at which Ukraine’s battle with Russia ends will
depend on the solidarity and resolve of its allies, she continued.
How has Ukraine reacted to Trump’s plans to meet in Budapest
with Putin?
Ukraine has been cautious, but has indicated that any peace
initiative will be respectful to Ukraine’s independence and security. Prior to
meeting with President Donald Trump in the White House, the President of
Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, stated that Ukraine had already “prepared
our part of the homework,” which addressed military and economic
considerations, meaning that Ukraine is willing to try to engage in some
serious negotiations positively.
But Kyiv is wary of the planned Trump-Putin meeting in
Budapest, and believes that direct discussions that may exclude Ukraine or
simply coerce Ukraine into bad faith concessions will not advance a diplomatic
resolution.
Zelenskyy stressed that peace must be achieved on terms that
guarantee Ukraine’s territorial integrity and security guarantees, and remarked
that the U.S. government “can wield global influence” to assist with sustained
peace on just terms.
