Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned Russian attacks on Ukrainian civilian infrastructure following a phone conversation between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. In a post on the social platform X on Tuesday evening, Zelensky reported that Russia had launched a series of attacks, specifically targeting civilian infrastructure, including hospitals and cities across multiple regions of Ukraine.
“Unfortunately, there have been hits, specifically on civilian infrastructure,” Zelensky wrote. “A direct hit by a ‘Shahed’ drone on a hospital in Sumy, strikes on cities in the Donetsk region, and attack drones currently in the skies over the Kyiv, Zhytomyr, Sumy, Chernihiv, Poltava, Kharkiv, Kirovohrad, Dnipropetrovsk, and Cherkasy regions."
The Ukrainian leader expressed his concern over the continued attacks by Russian forces, which he claimed were primarily focused on destroying critical civilian infrastructure, including energy facilities. Zelensky added that such nighttime attacks were a common tactic used by Russia, which caused widespread disruption to the daily lives of Ukrainians.
"It is these types of nighttime attacks by Russia that destroy our energy sector, our infrastructure, and the normal life of Ukrainians," he said. "And the fact that this night is no exception shows that the pressure on Russia must continue for the sake of peace.”
Zelensky’s remarks came after a high-level conversation between Trump and Putin earlier on Tuesday, in the wake of Ukraine’s agreement last week to a 30-day ceasefire proposed by the U.S. in the ongoing Russian-Ukrainian conflict. The ceasefire proposal was part of an attempt to de-escalate the war and bring both sides to the negotiating table for peace talks.
However, according to the Kremlin’s readout of the call, Putin rejected the proposal for a full ceasefire.
While Putin was reportedly open to the idea of a more limited 30-day ceasefire, which would focus specifically on energy facilities on both sides of the war, the broader goal of ending the conflict through a full ceasefire was dismissed. The Kremlin’s statement indicated that the two leaders discussed a “movement to peace,” which would begin with a ceasefire on energy and infrastructure facilities and include technical negotiations on the implementation of a maritime ceasefire in the Black Sea.
The negotiations, according to the White House’s readout, would begin immediately in the Middle East.
The move to discuss a ceasefire in the Black Sea and other limited terms for a peace agreement was a significant step in ongoing efforts to resolve the war that has now surpassed three years in length. Trump, who has been outspoken about his efforts to broker peace between Ukraine and Russia, has emphasized the need to bring the conflict to an end.
He has called for a comprehensive approach to peace, urging the international community to focus on diplomacy to end the bloodshed.
Trump’s push for peace, however, appears to have fallen short of securing a full ceasefire agreement from Putin. While Putin did express some willingness to engage in talks regarding a limited ceasefire focused on energy infrastructure, the Russian president made it clear that he would not agree to a broader ceasefire that would halt all military activity between Russia and Ukraine.
Zelensky’s statement following the call reflects his dissatisfaction with Putin’s response to the proposed ceasefire. In his post on X, Zelensky emphasized that it was crucial for the world to reject any attempts by Russia to prolong the war, particularly as the country continued its attacks on Ukrainian civilian infrastructure.
“Today, Putin effectively rejected the proposal for a full ceasefire. It would be right for the world to respond by rejecting any attempts by Putin to prolong the war,” Zelensky stated.
He reiterated the importance of international sanctions against Russia, continued assistance to Ukraine, and strengthening of global alliances to ensure security.
“Sanctions against Russia. Assistance to Ukraine,” Zelensky wrote. “Strengthening allies in the free world and working toward security guarantees. And only a real cessation of strikes on civilian infrastructure by Russia, as proof of its willingness to end this war, can bring peace closer.”
Zelensky’s comments underscore the ongoing frustration in Ukraine regarding Russia’s refusal to engage in meaningful peace talks. Despite international efforts to mediate the conflict, Russia has repeatedly rejected comprehensive ceasefire proposals, leading to continued violence and destruction.
The failure of Trump’s ceasefire proposal to gain traction with Putin has raised questions about the viability of diplomacy in ending the war. While the U.S. and other Western nations have pushed for a peaceful resolution to the conflict, Russia’s aggressive actions and refusal to halt attacks on civilian infrastructure suggest that peace remains a distant goal.
As the war continues to devastate Ukraine, Zelensky’s call for continued pressure on Russia highlights the challenges of securing a lasting peace agreement. His comments also serve as a reminder of the importance of international solidarity and the need for continued support for Ukraine as it faces an ongoing and devastating conflict.
The situation in Ukraine remains tense, with no clear end in sight to the war. Despite some progress in diplomatic discussions, the failure to reach a comprehensive ceasefire or peace agreement signals that both sides remain entrenched in their positions. As long as Russia continues its attacks on civilian infrastructure and refuses to halt its military operations, Zelensky’s call for peace and international action will remain crucial in efforts to end the conflict.
