Russia launches deadliest attack on Ukraine this year
President Donald Trump blamed Zelenskyy for stalling negotiations as Russia launched a deadly attack on Ukraine.
President Donald Trump voiced what appeared to be rare frustration aimed at Russia’s leader Vladimir Putin after a barrage of deadly missile and drone strikes struck Ukraine’s capital Kyiv, at a time when the White House is pushing hard for both sides to agree to some form of peace deal.
“I am not happy with the Russian strikes on KYIV. Not necessary, and very bad timing. Vladimir, STOP! 5000 soldiers a week are dying,” Trump chided Putin in a post on his Truth Social platform on April 24.
“Lets get the Peace Deal DONE!”
Ukrainian authorities said Russia’s attack killed at least eight people and injured more than 70 others. Russia’s defense ministry claimed the strikes were targeted at infrastructure connected to Ukraine’s “aviation, rocket and space” industries, as well as companies that make tanks. However, the assault triggered fires, smashed buildings and buried residents under rubble in one of Moscow’s deadliest assaults on Ukraine in months.
In recent days, Trump has appeared to grow more frustrated over the lack of progress on a peace deal that he asserted on the campaign trail he could achieve in one day. He accused Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of prolonging the “killing field” because Zelenskyy has so far ruled out surrendering Crimea, a Ukrainian territory on the Black Sea annexed by Russia in 2014, as part of any possible deal.
Trump has described Zelenskyy as “inflammatory” for his stance on Crimea.
Trump’s envoy, Steve Witkoff, is due to visit Moscow this week for a new round of talks with Putin, his fourth.