Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has called on the United States and Europe to impose stricter sanctions on Russia following a series of overnight strikes on cities across Ukraine.
In a statement on X, Zelensky said the attacks showed that recent peace talks, including those with U.S. President Donald Trump, had been ineffective.
Escalation and Demand for Action
- Widespread Attacks: Zelensky reported that air strikes affected numerous regions, including Kyiv, Zaporizhzhia, Donetsk, and Kharkiv. In Zaporizhzhia, one person was killed and dozens, including children, were injured after a residential building was hit. Zelensky claimed Russia fired over 540 drones at Kyiv alone.
- Sanctions as a Solution: The Ukrainian leader asserted that it was “absolutely clear” Russia used the time during diplomatic efforts to prepare for new attacks. He argued that the “only way to reopen a window of opportunity for diplomacy” is to impose “tough measures” on those funding the Russian military, specifically through banking and energy sanctions.
- Trump’s Peace Efforts: The latest wave of violence comes despite Trump’s attempts to mediate the conflict. After separate talks with Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin, Trump had said he saw “huge progress” and would work to set up a trilateral meeting. However, due to the escalating attacks from both sides, no date has been set for the meeting.
