WORLD NEWS
US President Donald Trump’s envoy, Steve Witkoff, met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow, just hours after a deadly series of Russian drone attacks in Ukraine. The attacks claimed the lives of at least five people, including a child, further escalating the violence that has plagued the region.
The assault on the city of Pavlohrad in central Ukraine saw three individuals killed, among them a six-year-old boy. Governor Serhiy Lysak confirmed that 14 others were wounded, including teenagers. The attacks targeted a five-story building and caused widespread damage. Meanwhile, in the Donetsk region, two more individuals were killed after an aerial bomb dropped on a residential building in the Yarova settlement.
Ukraine’s Air Force reported that Russian forces launched 103 drones in the latest overnight attack, with five regions suffering damage. Despite efforts to protect their skies, Ukrainian forces were only able to destroy 11 of the incoming drones over the Dnipropetrovsk region.
The meeting between Witkoff and Putin has raised concerns in Kyiv. Al Jazeera’s Zein Basravi reported that many Ukrainians view the meeting with distrust, citing concerns that Witkoff and even Trump are merely echoing Russian propaganda. This sentiment is compounded by growing frustration over US diplomatic efforts, with many in Ukraine emphasizing that negotiations cannot continue while Russian bombings persist.
Ukrainian officials have made it clear that their priorities for any potential peace deal remain unchanged: the preservation of territorial integrity and the halting of Russian aggression. Ukraine continues to reject any proposals that would recognize Russia’s annexation of Crimea, with Kyiv firmly standing by its position.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov recently expressed support for the US-proposed peace deal, claiming it was moving in the right direction, though he acknowledged that certain aspects still need refinement. Lavrov's comments came in response to Trump’s statements, suggesting that a deal was “very close” and urging for its swift conclusion.
Hanna Shelest, director of the Foreign Policy Council "Ukrainian Prism," emphasized Ukraine's unwavering stance on territorial integrity. She also pointed out that, despite Trump’s proposal, Ukraine cannot afford to rely on just one major ally, stressing the importance of building a broad international coalition for long-term security.
In summary, the deadly drone strikes serve as a stark reminder of the ongoing violence in Ukraine, while diplomatic efforts continue to unfold, raising difficult questions about the future of negotiations and the prospects for peace in the region.
-
U.S. Universities Advise Foreign Students Amid Tru...
With fears of deportation rising, U.S. universities are advising international students on...
-
China Exempts Some U.S. Imports from Tariffs in Bi...
China begins exempting some U.S. imports from 125% tariffs, signaling potential de-escalat...
-
Explosive Device Kills Senior Russian General Near...
A powerful explosion in Balashikha, near Moscow, kills General Yaroslav Moskalik, deputy h...
-
Markandey Katju Warns India of Economic Damage in ...
Ex-SC judge Markandey Katju warns war with Pakistan would cause irreversible economic dama...
-
China Launches Shenzhou-20 Mission to Tiangong Spa...
China’s space program takes another leap forward with the successful launch of Shenzhou-...
