U.S. President Donald Trump advises Russian President Vladimir Putin to halt actions following a deadly assault in Kyiv that claimed 12 lives.
Fiery Night: Missiles Rain Down on Kyiv as Peace Negotiations Stall
The Ukrainian capital was hit hard last night, with 12 civilians losing their lives in a brutal attack. Missiles and drones pounded Kyiv, causing 90 injuries, damaged buildings, and engulfing several spots in flames. This was the biggest assault on the city this year, and it happened just as U.S. President Donald Trump was pushing for peace.
Trump, who called the attack "unnecessary" and "poorly timed," told Russian President Vladimir Putin to "cut it out!" during a conversation at the White House. Trump made it clear his administration was exerting "serious pressure" on Russia, expressing his discontent with the attack.
But Trump added that there had been significant progress in the peace talks, and the Kremlin seemed open to the idea of "halting the war and surrendering the entire country." The next few days, Trump said, would be crucial, as meetings were underway. "I think we're going to reach a deal ... I think we're getting really close," he declared.
Washington was also putting pressure on Ukraine, according to the president. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that further discussions would be held over the weekend, and the U.S. hopes to see both Ukraine and Russia pull together to finalize a peace agreement.
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte stated, after meeting with Trump, that Kyiv was eager to seal a deal. "There's something on the table now, I believe, where the Ukrainians are truly giving it their all," he said. "The ball is undeniably in Russia's court now."
Ukrainian officials noted that the attack occurred at a critical moment in Russia's war against Ukraine, which began in 2022. Both Kyiv and Moscow are eager to demonstrate their efforts towards Trump's goal of a swift peace deal.
Trump expressed his displeasure with the Russian bombardment of Kyiv on Truth Social, directly addressing Putin. "I am not pleased with the Russian strikes on KYIV. Not necessary, and terribly timed. Vladimir, STOP! 5000 soldiers a week are dying. Lets get the Peace Deal DONE!"
The White House has threatened to abandon its peace efforts should progress not be made soon. Trump has been less stern with Putin compared to Zelenskyy, whom he once called a "dictator." Trump's envoy is expected to meet Putin on Friday for more talks, a US official disclosed.
In light of Zelenskyy's statement that Ukraine would not recognize Russia's occupation of Crimea, Trump reprimanded the Ukrainian leader on Wednesday. Rubio decided at the last minute to skip talks between U.S., Ukrainian, and European officials in London on Wednesday due to American outrage over Zelenskyy's stance on Crimea.
Zelenskyy, who cut short his trip to South Africa after the Russian attack, expressed doubt that Washington was putting substantial pressure on Russia. Zelenskyy believed that a proposal from the London talks had made its way to Trump.
Rescue workers were busy at 13 sites throughout Kyiv, using climbing specialists and dogs to locate survivors amid the wreckage. Forty fires had erupted; rescuers heard cell phones ringing beneath the rubble, vowing to search until everyone has been accounted for.
The Russian Defense Ministry claimed responsibility for a massive overnight assault on Ukraine's military-industrial complex, using various land, air, and sea-based long-range high-precision weapons, and drones. Tymur Tkachenko, the head of the Kyiv city military administration, confirmed 12 casualties.
Kyiv resident Viktoria Bakal recalled the night, "Sirens blared; we didn't even have time to don our coats before one blast led to another. All windows were shattered, doors, walls—my husband and son were hurled across the room."
Zelenskyy claimed, during a speech on TV, that Russia had used a North Korean ballistic missile during the attack, citing initial information. A Ukrainian military source had earlier told Reuters that a residential building in the Sviatoshynskyi district west of Kyiv's center was hit by a North Korean KN-23 (KN-23A) ballistic missile.
Russia launched 145 drones and 70 missiles, including 11 ballistic missiles, according to Ukraine's air force, which claimed to have shot down 112 targets. Apart from Kyiv and its surroundings, seven other regions were under constant assault, causing damage in Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-largest city, the Zhytomyr region west of Kyiv, and the industrial city of Pavlohrad, located in the central Dnipropetrovsk region.
In Washington, Ukrainian Finance Minister Serhii Marchenko stated that Ukraine and the U.S. had made headway on a critical minerals agreement, but it would "definitely not" be finalized this week. Negotiations surrounding this matter are ongoing.
- Trump, in a post on Truth Social, expressed his disapproval of the Russian strikes on Kyiv, urging Putin to stop the attacks.
- Washington is putting pressure on both Ukraine and Russia to finalize a peace agreement, with further discussions scheduled over the weekend.
- Ukrainian officials stated that the attack on Kyiv occurred at a critical moment in Russia's war against Ukraine, which began in 2022.
- Apart from Kyiv and its surroundings, seven other regions were under constant assault, causing damage in Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-largst city, the Zhytomyr region west of Kyiv, and the industrial city of Pavlohrad.
- In general news, Ukraine's Finance Minister Serhii Marchenko announced that negotiations on a critical minerals agreement with the U.S. are ongoing, but it will not be finalized this week.
- The Russian Defense Ministry claimed responsibility for the overnight assault on Ukraine's military-industrial complex, using various weapons, and drones, including a North Korean KN-23 (KN-23A) ballistic missile, according to a Ukrainian military source.
