A hospital located in Sumy was bombed as part of a coordinated wave of attacks across Ukraine, prompting President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to assert that Russian President Vladimir Putin had “effectively rejected” a ceasefire.
This declaration came immediately after a phone call between Putin and former U.S. President Donald Trump, during which the Russian leader reportedly indicated a willingness to halt strikes against Ukraine’s energy grid and critical infrastructure. Contrary to these claims, the Kremlin soon announced that Putin had ordered an immediate cessation of such strikes.
However, shortly after the call concluded, air raid sirens blared across Ukraine, followed by the unmistakable sounds of explosions. President Zelenskyy reported that there had been targeted assaults on civilian infrastructure, with local sources indicating that the city of Slovyansk experienced significant power outages after its energy facilities were damaged.
In a stark reminder of the ongoing hostilities, Zelenskyy revealed that over 40 Russian drones were launched in the assault, stating, “It is precisely such night attacks by Russia that destroy our energy systems, our infrastructure, and disrupt the normal lives of Ukrainians. Today, Putin de facto rejected the proposal for a complete ceasefire. It is imperative for the world to respond to Putin’s tactics with firm resolve and reject any attempts to prolong this war.”
Zelenskyy expressed a degree of openness towards a halt in attacks on energy targets but emphasized the need for clarity from Washington regarding the situation. He articulated a desire to have an in-depth discussion with President Trump to understand precisely what proposals were exchanged between the Russians and the Americans.
“I believe it is crucial for us to engage in a conversation with President Trump, to ascertain the details of what the Russians have suggested to the Americans or vice versa. Once we have that information, we will formulate our response and prepare our team for any technical discussions that may follow.”
Just last week, Ukraine had put forth a comprehensive ceasefire proposal lasting 30 days, which Putin categorically rejected. Zelenskyy underscored this rejection by saying, “They are not ready to end this war, and the evidence is clear. They show no willingness even to take the first step towards peace, which would be a ceasefire. Putin’s entire strategy appears focused on weakening Ukraine.”
