Topline
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Wednesday warned his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin was not “preparing for peace” shortly after Russia launched a major missile attack on Kyiv, despite the White House’s Tuesday night comments on progress being made towards ending the war in Ukraine.
A man stands near a damaged building after a Russian missile attack on in Kyiv, Ukraine.
Key Facts
At least one person was killed and four were injured in Kyiv after Russia launched a salvo of ballistic missiles at the Ukrainian capital early on Wednesday.
The Ukrainian Air Force said it managed to down six of the seven and dozens of drones fired by Russia.
In a post on Telegram, Zelenskyy confirmed the casualty count and said “Apartment buildings, offices, and civilian infrastructure were damaged” by the strike and added: “This Russian terror against Ukraine will not stop by itself.”
Zelenskyy wrote that Putin was “preparing for peace…as he continues to kill Ukrainians and destroy cities” and said only “strong steps and pressure on Russia” can help “stop this terror.”
The Ukrainian leader then urged his country’s international partners to continue to pressure Russia.
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What Did Trump And The White House Say About The Ukraine War?
While Zelenskyy’s comments did not directly mention President Donald Trump or Washington, the statement and the ballistic missile attack came just hours after the White House announced it had secured the release of American prisoner Marc Fogel, who was being held in Russia since 2021, as part of an “exchange.” Trump’s National Security Advisor Mike Waltz said the exchange “serves as a show of good faith from the Russians and a sign we are moving in the right direction to end the brutal and terrible war in Ukraine.” Trump, who met with Fogel at the White House upon his return to the U.S., said his release “could be a big important part” of ending the war in Ukraine. Earlier in the day, when asked about the concessions sought by Russia for Fogel’s release, Trump said “not much” and added that “we were treated very nicely by Russia, actually.”
Further Reading
Russia Releases American Marc Fogel As Trump Administration Pushes For End To Ukraine War (Forbes)
