Trump Urges Putin to Halt Deadly Ukraine Attacks After Kyiv Strike
Trump’s Rare Rebuke of Putin
NEW DELHI: President Donald Trump issued a rare public rebuke of Russian President Vladimir Putin, urging him to stop attacks on Ukraine following Moscow’s deadliest assault on Kyiv in months. The barrage of missiles and drones killed at least 12 people and wounded 90 in the Ukrainian capital. Trump took to social media, stating, “I am not happy with the Russian strikes. Not necessary, and very bad timing. Vladimir, STOP!”
Zelenskyy’s Call for Pressure
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, cutting short a trip to South Africa to address the crisis, called on allies to intensify pressure on Russia to end its invasion, which began in 2022. He expressed frustration over the lack of new sanctions or strong measures against Moscow, noting that Russia used a North Korean ballistic missile in the attack. Zelenskyy also defended Ukraine’s stance on Crimea, stating that conceding to Russia’s claims would violate Ukrainian law.
Ceasefire Talks and NATO’s Stance
Trump’s envoy, Steve Witkoff, is set to visit Russia for ceasefire negotiations, though hopes for a deal remain dim. Trump criticized Zelenskyy for rejecting Russia’s claim over Crimea, annexed in 2014, calling it a lost cause. Meanwhile, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, after meeting Trump, insisted that Russia, not Ukraine, must make concessions, stating, “The balls are clearly in the Russian court now.”
Devastation in Kyiv
The Russian assault, involving 70 missiles and 145 drones, targeted Kyiv’s defense industry, including facilities producing rocket fuel and gunpowder. The Sviatoshinsky district was hit hardest, with rescue teams pulling victims from rubble. Olena Davydiuk, a Kyiv resident, described the chaos: “Windows were breaking, doors falling out of their hinges.” The attack underscored the ongoing brutality of Russia’s campaign, despite Trump’s push for peace.
Challenges to Peace Efforts
Recent Russian strikes, including a ballistic missile attack in Sumy that killed 35 on April 13, have defied U.S. efforts to broker a ceasefire. Zelenskyy questioned whether allies were doing enough, while Trump suggested that Moscow’s willingness to halt its advance was a significant concession. As negotiations falter, Ukraine continues to face relentless aerial bombardment, with Kyiv’s air defenses struggling to keep up.
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