Russia strikes Ukraine with nearly 400 drones and 29 missiles, hours ahead of Geneva peace talks
Russia launched nearly 400 drones and 29 missiles over Ukraine overnight, just hours before a new round of peace talks scheduled for Geneva, according to authorities in Kiev. The massive attacks also targeted energy infrastructure, and Ukrainian officials say they demonstrate Moscow's lack of interest in diplomatic efforts, notes The Guardian.
Russia launched almost 400 drones and 29 missiles on Ukraine. PHOTO: Archive
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andri Sîbiha said the night offensive shows “to what extent Russia ignores peace efforts”.
“Moscow only understands the language of pressure. It will not take diplomacy seriously if it is not supported by force,” the Ukrainian official warned.
Sîbiha called for a new package of sanctions against Russia, noting that the European Union is preparing additional measures before the completion of four years since the start of the large-scale aggression, as well as actions against the so-called “ghost fleet” russian
The Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelensky, declared that the attack was “a combined strike, deliberately calculated to cause maximum damage to the energy sector”. He asked international partners to react firmly and hold Russia accountable.
“Our diplomacy will be more effective if there is justice and force – the force of pressure on the Russian Federation, through sanctions and through constant and rapid support for the Ukrainian military and our air defenses.”Zelensky emphasized.
The attacks came just before senior Ukrainian and Russian officials were due to meet in Geneva for a new round of talks brokered by the US administration, days before the fourth anniversary of the full-scale Russian invasion.
Asked about the talks in Geneva, the President of the United States, Donald Trump, said: “Ukraine would do well to come to the negotiating table quickly. That's all I'm saying. We're in a position where we want them to come.”
In this context, Zelensky reaffirmed, at the end of last week, that Kiev uses all possible channels of dialogue with Washington, in order not to give anyone pretexts to claim that Ukraine is not interested in negotiations.
In parallel with the discussions regarding Ukraine, the American delegation from Geneva is also going to hold separate negotiations with Iran on the topic of its nuclear program, against the background of increasing tensions in the region.
