KYIV, Ukraine — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed on Wednesday that despite Russian President Vladimir Putin’s promise not to target energy infrastructure, a wave of drone assaults occurred across the nation overnight. This contradicts Putin’s commitment, as witness to an increase in attacks rather than a decrease.
Zelenskyy planned to converse with U.S. President Donald Trump later that day, hoping to learn more about Trump’s recent dialogue with Putin concerning a potential ceasefire and the upcoming steps in resolving the conflict.
“Even after Putin’s conversation with Trump, purportedly resulting in an order to halt assaults on Ukrainian energy facilities, 150 drones were unleashed overnight on various targets, including energy infrastructures,” Zelenskyy stated during a press conference held alongside Finnish President Alexander Stubb in Helsinki.
In response, Russia asserted that it stopped targeting Ukraine’s energy sites and accused Kyiv of instigating violence near one of its pipelines. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov remarked that Ukraine has not reciprocated in peace efforts, blaming the Kyiv regime for the ongoing tensions.
The Kremlin’s stance remains unchanged, as Russian strikes on civilian areas continued after a discussion with Trump failed to produce a 30-day ceasefire agreement. The White House characterized the Trump-Putin call as an initial move towards peace, aspiring for a halt of hostilities in the Black Sea that would culminate in a permanent end to conflict. However, Putin’s stringent demands for a peace deal remain a contentious point for Kyiv, hindering progress.
The Institute for the Study of War, an American think tank, criticized Putin’s demands during the dialogue with Trump, labeling them as conditions tantamount to Ukraine’s capitulation. According to the think tank, Putin seems to be leveraging the ceasefire as a bargaining tool to extract concessions from Ukraine ahead of any formal negotiations.
Finnish President Stubb views the dialogue between Putin and Trump as a positive stride but emphasizes the need for Russia to cease its aggression. Stubb stated, “There are only two choices regarding the U.S. president’s proposal: it’s a yes or a no — no conditions attached.” He advocates for heightened support for Ukraine and increased pressure on Russia to bring them to the negotiating table.
Simultaneously, Ukraine and Russia exchanged allegations over attacks. Following the Trump-Putin call, air raid alarms blared in Kyiv, followed by explosions, causing residents to seek shelter. Despite efforts to fend off the strikes, significant damage was inflicted on civilian infrastructure, including hospitals and transportation networks, Zelenskyy reported. Russian drones were spotted over multiple regions, adding to the turmoil.
The Russian Defense Ministry confirmed compliance with Putin’s directive to cease attacks on energy infrastructure and downed seven drones aimed at military-related power facilities in southern Mykolaiv. Hours after the Trump-Putin discussion, Moscow accused Ukraine of striking a pivotal energy site in the Krasnodar region. Three drones allegedly targeted oil equipment crucial to the Caspian Pipeline, igniting a fire and jeopardizing operations.
Russia branded this as a deliberate provocation by Kyiv to thwart U.S.-backed peace efforts. They reported intercepting 57 Ukrainian drones across various Russian regions, alleging ongoing hostilities from Ukraine. Zelenskyy emphasized that mere promises of a ceasefire are insufficient, indicating Ukraine’s willingness to halt strikes if Russia complies.
Zelenskyy dismissed Putin’s condition of halting Western military aid to Ukraine, stressing that such a compromise would jeopardize Ukrainian lives and prolong the conflict. “Supporting Ukraine is crucial; cutting assistance off would only embolden Russian aggression,” he asserted.
Nigel Gould-Davies, an expert at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, noted that Putin’s skepticism towards a ceasefire comes as no surprise. He highlighted the diplomatic rivalry heating up between Kyiv and Moscow, each attempting to convince President Trump that the other party obstructs peace.
Zelenskyy reaffirmed that territorial concessions are a non-negotiable issue, standing firm against recognizing any temporarily occupied territories as Russian.
