Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Sunday expressed disappointment over the United States’ lack of response after Russian President Vladimir Putin refused a full and unconditional ceasefire in the ongoing war.
Fresh Attacks Kill Civilians
Russia launched a massive missile and drone attack overnight, killing at least two people and injuring several across Ukraine. In Kyiv, explosions echoed throughout the city, leaving a trail of destruction — including a multi-storey business center, a TV station, and several warehouses.
Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko confirmed one civilian was killed near the explosion’s epicenter in the Darnytsia district. Meanwhile, across six Ukrainian regions, Russia deployed 23 missiles and 109 drones, causing widespread fires and structural damage.
Zelensky Demands Action
Zelensky, addressing the rising civilian toll, said, “We are waiting for the United States to respond — so far there has been no response.” He added that Russia was escalating attacks and the international pressure on Moscow was still not enough.
He reported that over the past week, Russia had fired more than 1,460 guided aerial bombs, 670 drones, and over 30 types of missiles on Ukraine.
France Supports Ukraine’s Plea
Echoing Zelensky’s concerns, French President Emmanuel Macron also called for “strong action” if Russia continued to avoid peace talks. He denounced Russia’s “bloody attacks” and emphasized the urgent need for a ceasefire.
Russia Claims Rare Cross-Border Gain
In a surprising turn, Russia claimed the capture of Basivka, a village in Ukraine’s Sumy region, marking a rare cross-border gain since the war began. Ukraine has not yet confirmed this loss, stating it is still actively resisting such incursions.
UN Condemns Civilian Casualties
UN Human Rights Chief Volker Turk condemned Russia’s continued strikes, calling it a reckless disregard for civilian life, especially following the deadly attack on Kryvyi Rig, which killed 18 people, including nine children.
Putin-Trump Peace Talks?
While former US President Donald Trump is reportedly pushing for a partial truce, the plan hasn’t yielded results. Meanwhile, high-level backchannel talks may be underway, with Russian envoy Kirill Dmitriev hinting at upcoming US-Russia meetings.
As the war enters another bloody chapter, Zelensky’s call for urgent global action is growing louder — but the world’s response remains uncertain.
