In Kyiv, Ukraine, devastating Russian missile strikes have resulted in the deaths of at least five civilians, as confirmed by Ukrainian officials on Wednesday. This tragic incident follows the recent move by the Trump administration to reinstate military aid to Ukraine, supporting its ongoing battle against Russia’s incursion. Ukrainian representatives have also shown readiness for a prospective 30-day ceasefire.
The Kremlin has remained silent regarding the recent U.S.-Ukraine agreement. This agreement, unveiled on Tuesday, entails further military assistance, including intelligence sharing and backing for a potential ceasefire adhered to by the U.S. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov communicated that Russia intends to receive comprehensive details about the ceasefire proposal from the U.S. before establishing any stance.
Among the casualties were four Syrian men, ages ranging from 18 to 24, who perished in the southern port city of Odesa. The attack occurred while their ship was being loaded with Ukrainian grain destined for Algeria, stated Infrastructure Minister Oleksii Kuleba. Additionally, in President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s hometown of Kryvyi Rih, central Ukraine, a woman fell victim to another missile strike.
The U.S. military aid is deemed essential for Ukraine’s military forces, which are grappling with the challenges of opposing Russia’s superior military strength. Conversely, this bolstered support poses additional challenges for Moscow’s military objectives and complicates Washington’s peace initiatives. The foreign ministers of Ukraine and Poland declared Wednesday that arms deliveries to Ukraine have recommenced through a logistics hub in Poland.
These deliveries transit through a collaborative NATO and U.S. base situated in Rzeszow, eastern Poland, approximately 45 miles from Ukraine. President Donald Trump is keen to conclude the ongoing three-year conflict and has encouraged President Zelenskyy to engage in negotiations. The recent lifting of U.S. aid suspension follows shortly after a contentious meeting between Trump and Zelenskyy at the White House concerning the ongoing conflict.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, leading the U.S. delegation at Tuesday’s discussions in Saudi Arabia, indicated that the ceasefire offer will be proposed to the Kremlin, which previously rejected anything less than a permanent resolution without any concessions. Rubio remarked, “We’ll present this to the Russians and see if they agree to cease combat and initiate discussions.”
Trump’s designated envoy, Steve Witkoff, is scheduled to visit Moscow this week. He might possibly meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin, though plans might alter, shared an informed yet unauthorized source. French President Emmanuel Macron responded positively to the U.S.-Ukraine accord, emphasizing on social media that the next move is up to Russia.
In Russia, officials exhibit apprehension toward the U.S.-Ukraine conversations and potential ceasefire. Senior Russian senator Konstantin Kosachev conveyed that Russia will seek an agreement on their terms. Mikhail Sheremet, a Russian lawmaker, expressed reservations about extending the conflict while clarifying Russia’s refusal to be manipulated.
According to John Hardie, a defense analyst at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, the onus now lies with Washington to persuade Moscow towards a peace agreement. He speculated that Moscow might demand foundational peace principles before approving a ceasefire. The conditions could include halting Western military assistance to Ukraine during the ceasefire and organizing elections prior to a long-standing peace treaty.
Meanwhile, in discussions highlighting mutual interests, Sergei Naryshkin, head of Russia’s foreign intelligence service (SVR), connected with CIA Director John Ratcliffe Tuesday via phone, according to the SVR. Without further details, they discussed cooperation in crisis resolution.
