Yangon: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said his country expects a strong response from Western nations to Russian drone attacks.
According to Anadolu Agency, the Ukrainian President highlighted the urgency of a robust international reaction in his video address late Saturday. He emphasized that the response should come primarily from the U.S., Europe, and the global community invested in diplomatic resolutions.
Zelenskyy underscored that the Russian drone attacks not only threaten Ukrainian civilians but also undermine international attempts to resolve the conflict that commenced in February 2022. He accused Russia of deliberately targeting entities advocating for peace and stressed that the ongoing drone assaults could not be disregarded.
The President argued that only sustained pressure could compel Russia towards peace. He mentioned that Moscow might have agreed to a cease-fire proposed by the U.S. if there had been significant pressure. His comments followed a severe drone attack in Ukraine’s northeastern Kharkiv region, which resulted in two deaths and 35 injuries.
Ukraine’s air force reported on Telegram that its defenses managed to intercept 65 out of 111 drones launched by Russia overnight. The assault impacted the Sumy, Odesa, and Donetsk regions as well. Additionally, Ukraine’s General Staff noted that the attack damaged a military hospital and nearby residential structures in Kharkiv.
In the preceding week, the U.S. facilitated two agreements between Russia and Ukraine to ensure safe Black Sea navigation and a temporary cessation of strikes on energy infrastructures. Despite these agreements, both nations have accused each other of breaching the terms, with Russia yet to respond to the latest attack on Kharkiv.