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.