Russia, Ukraine Talks Uncertain Amid Deadly Strikes on Kyiv (Worthy News Radio)
By Stefan J. Bos, Worthy News Europe Bureau Chief
KYIV/BUDAPEST (Worthy News) – After his military struck Ukraine’s capital Kyiv, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Thursday he was ready to meet Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskyy for talks on ending Europe’s deadliest conflict since World War II.
However, Putin cautioned that he would only meet Zelenskyy in the “final phase” of negotiations, prompting the Ukrainian leader to doubt his sincerity.
Zelenskyy accused Russia of “choosing to kill,” as he and his government marked 100 days since Ukraine agreed to the U.S. proposal for an unconditional ceasefire, but with no pickup from the Russian side.
Thursday’s remarks follow massive attacks on Ukraine, including Kyiv, where at least 28 people were killed, with more than 130 injured, as the recovery of bodies continued at destroyed apartment blocks, officials said.
Terrified residents were seen hiding beneath a building. After the explosion, they stood up to see the damage.
Olena Lapyshnak, a resident of a destroyed Kyiv apartment building, explained that she is lucky to be alive. “There was just a whistle, then two explosions,” she recalled. “Then the Shahed drones flew, and everything blew out, including all the windows and doors. Then it started.”
UKRAINIAN STRIKES
The Russian missile and drone strikes on Kyiv, which authorities said killed dozens and injured many more, were the latest in a series of Russian attacks in recent days.
Moscow claims it reacts to Ukrainian strikes.
Russia’s Defense Ministry also said its forces hit a Ukrainian troop position in the Sumy region with an Iskander missile.
Ukrainian authorities on Monday reported that an Iskander missile strike on the city of Sumy, Konotop, damaged flats in multi-storey buildings with no casualties.
Ukraine is trying to drive Russian forces from its Sumy region, where border areas are gripped by heavy fighting.
Yet despite these clashes, the international community is still trying to back peace talks between the Ukrainian and Russian presidents.
LONGTERM SOLUTION
However, Putin stressed, “We need to find a solution that would not only put an end to the current conflict, but also create conditions that would prevent similar situations from recurring in the long term.”
Speaking to foreign reporters in the Russian city of Saint Petersburg on Thursday, he also stated that he does not view the rearmament of the NATO military alliance as a threat to Russia, arguing that the nation has taken sufficient measures to ensure its security.
Russia has brought in thousands of North Korean soldiers to help defend its Kursk region, which was partly captured by Ukrainian forces in response to Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
He also relied on a flood of arms and ammunition from North Korea, as well as Iranian drones and missiles, and suspected help from China to wage war against Ukraine, according to Western officials.
Analysts say, however, that the possible collapse of Iran’s regime in its standoff with Israel could undermine Russia’s military action against Ukraine.
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