Edith Hejberg
He warned that the timing of the attacks was no coincidence, aligning with international discussions about ending the war.
Drone and missile strikes hit four Ukrainian cities, killing at least ten people, including a young girl in Kharkiv.
Russia Launches Deadly Strikes Ahead of White House Talks
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has accused Russia of carrying out “demonstrative and cynical” attacks just hours before a pivotal meeting with Donald Trump and European leaders in Washington.
Zelenskyy: Moscow Trying to Undermine Peace Talks
Speaking on X (formerly Twitter), Zelenskyy accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of deliberately escalating violence to “humiliate diplomatic efforts.”
He warned that the timing of the attacks was no coincidence, aligning with international discussions about ending the war.
Ukrainian Leader Demands Real Peace
Zelenskyy reiterated Ukraine’s call for a “just and dignified peace,” reliable security guarantees, and a definitive end to the war.
“Moscow must hear the word stop,” he said, urging global leaders to stand firm in support of Ukraine’s sovereignty.
Trump Pushes for Quick Settlement — On His Terms
Hours before the summit, US President Donald Trump took to Truth Social, suggesting Zelenskyy could end the war “almost immediately.”
He ruled out any return of Crimea to Ukraine or allowing the country to join NATO, stating, “Some things never change!!!”
European Leaders Push Back Against Land-for-Peace Idea
Leaders from the UK, France, Germany, Italy, Finland, the EU, and NATO are gathering in Washington with a united stance: no land concessions to Russia.
They plan to reaffirm their support for Ukraine’s territorial integrity and oppose any deal rewarding Russian aggression.
Tensions Rise After Trump-Putin Alaska Summit
Zelenskyy enters the Washington talks in a weakened position following Trump’s meeting with Putin in Alaska, a summit widely viewed as a diplomatic win for Russia.
Trump claimed “big progress” on Russia, though he offered no specifics.
Zelenskyy Aims to Rebuild Alliances
Arriving in Washington late Sunday, Zelenskyy expressed hope that the US and European unity would pressure Russia toward peace.
“We all equally want to end this war swiftly and reliably,” he said via Telegram, thanking the US for hosting the summit.
A Tough Room: Past Tensions Loom
Zelenskyy may face another difficult reception. During his last visit to the White House in February, Trump and Vice President JD Vance publicly scolded him, saying: “You’re not in a good position. You don’t have the cards right now.” Vance is expected to join Monday’s talks.
UK PM Balances Praise and Pressure
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer praised Trump’s diplomatic initiative but reinforced Europe’s stance, saying peace cannot be achieved without Ukraine’s involvement.
He called for increased sanctions on Russia and warned against undermining Kyiv’s sovereignty.
Security Guarantees on the Table — But Outside NATO
Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff said Putin has agreed, for the first time, to a Western-led protection framework for Ukraine.
While it won’t involve NATO membership, it would mirror NATO’s Article 5 self-defense clause, a potentially major shift in negotiations.
