In a rare incident, the US President, Donald Trump, has rebuked his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, over Russia’s attacks on Ukraine.
Following a Russian attack on Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv, Trump said he is “not happy” with the strikes, urging Putin to “Stop!” and pursue a peace deal, Reuters reported.
A Call for Putin
Early on Thursday, Russia targeted Kyiv, in the deadliest attack on the Ukrainian capital since last July. The attack has evoked Trump’s criticism, as the US is engaged in peace talks to end the conflict in Ukraine.
“I am not happy with the Russian strikes on KYIV. Not necessary, and very bad timing. Vladimir, STOP! 5000 soldiers a week are dying. Lets get the Peace Deal DONE!” Trump wrote on his Truth Social on Thursday.
Kyiv Attack
Russia launched a large-scale missile and drone attack on Ukraine overnight, sending 70 missiles, including 11 ballistic missiles, and 145 drones toward the country, targeting 13 sites in Kyiv, Ukraine’s air force said on Telegram.
The attack killed at least 12 people, wounding 90 others, destroying buildings and setting off fires, according to Ukraine’s emergency services. Many people are still trapped under rubble.
The assault prompted the Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelensky, to cut short his trip to South Africa and return to Ukraine. He said that the attack was aimed at “pressuring the US,” reported CNN.
Massive Strike
The Russian Defense Ministry said it carried out what it called “a massive strike with high-precision long-range air, land and sea-based weapons, unmanned aerial vehicles.”
It added that the strike targeted “enterprises of the aviation, missile and space, mechanical engineering and armored industries of Ukraine, production of rocket fuel and gunpowder.”
The Ministry announced that the attack achieved its objectives, hitting all targets. Meanwhile, Ukraine’s emergency services said that the strike hit 13 locations in Kyiv, including residential buildings and civilian infrastructure.
Trump’s Frustration
The US has been working to reach a peace deal to end the war in Ukraine. Frustrated by the lack of progress, Trump threatened to abandon the talks.
During his meeting with the Norwegian Prime Minister, Jonas Gahr Støre, at the White House, later on Thursday, Trump reiterated his frustration with Putin. “I didn’t like last night… we were in the midst of talking peace and missiles were fired.”
But he expressed some hope that a peace deal could be within reach, according to the Associated Press (AP). “We are thinking that, very strongly, that they both want peace,” referring to Putin and Zelensky. “But they have to get to the table. We’re waiting a long time,” Trump added.
Stumbled Peace Deal
On Wednesday, the US President harshly criticized Zelensky, accusing him of prolonging the war by refusing to recognize Russian control over Crimea – which Moscow seized in 2014 – as part of a possible peace deal.
Trump described Zelensky’s position as “very harmful to the Peace Negotiations with Russia.” He posted on Truth Social: “It’s inflammatory statements like Zelensky’s that makes it so difficult to settle this War. He has nothing to boast about! The situation for Ukraine is dire.”
On Tuesday, the White House announced that Trump’s Special Envoy, Steve Witkoff, will travel to Moscow this week to hold a new round of talks with Putin, their fourth meeting since Trump assumed office in January.
