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Russian air raid shakes vague peace hopes
US President Trump wanted to achieve a quick end to the Ukraine war. But Moscow attacks speak a different language. What will become of his diplomatic efforts?
The search for a way out of the Ukraine War has suffered another setback due to the devastating Russian air raids with more than 20 dead in Kiev. The Ukrainian President Wolodymyr Selenskyj dismissed Moscow of any will to peace. “This blow clearly shows that the goals of Russia have not changed,” he said in Kiev.
“Russia is currently attacking all people in the world who long for peace. This is a blow to Ukraine. This is a blow to Europe,” said the Ukrainian head of state. And it is “a hit in Russia against President (Donald) Trump and other global actors”. With such attacks, Moscow makes friends like China or India accomplice.
Dead in ruins of a Kiev apartment block suspected
After the air raid on Thursday night, one of the heaviest in three and a half years of war, 22 deaths were counted in Kiev until evening. According to the capital’s military administration, even more people are buried in the ruins of a house.
Russia had used around 600 fight drones as well as more than 30 rockets and marching missiles in the attack. Also in the night of Friday there was air alarm in parts of East Ukraine. The Ukrainian Air Force once again located Russian drones in the sky, albeit in a smaller number.
UN General Secretary condemns attacks on civilians
UN Secretary General António Guterres condemned the attacks. “Attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure are unacceptable and must be ended immediately,” wrote Guterres on the platform X. He calls a complete, immediate and unconditional ceasefire, “which leads to a fair, comprehensive and sustainable peace in Ukraine”. Selenskyj thanked the UN Secretary General’s support.
Trump spokeswoman: Both sides have to want the end of the conflict
US President Trump is sad about the new escalation, but also not surprised, said Karoline Leavitt’s spokeswoman for the White House. Trump is committed to ending the war. But the parties to the conflict should also want this. Although Russia began the destructive war of aggression, Leavitt equated the Russian and the Ukrainian approach: “Russia attacked Kiev, and the Ukraine recently led a blow to Russian refineries.”
The US President had only met with Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin in Alaska in the middle of the month and then advised Selenskyj and the European allies in Washington. He reported on Putin’s alleged willingness to meet with Selenskyj. As a result, Moscow only spoke of leading the previous bilateral negotiations on a higher level. At the end of negotiations, the Kremlin wants to agree to a meeting of the President when it comes to signing an agreement.
Merz does not expect Putin with Selenskyj
Because it is not an approach between the war parties, Chancellor Friedrich Merz spoke to French President Emmanuel Macron about diplomatic efforts for an end to the war. “We have to deal with this topic again today and this against the background of the fact that there will obviously not come to a meeting between President Selenskyj and President Putin,” said the Chancellor during a visit to Macron’s summer residence on the Côte d’Azur.
US government approved weapons sales to Ukraine
Meanwhile, the US State Department creates facts and has approved the sale of weapons worth an estimated $ 825 million (around 710 million euros) to Ukraine. It is about rockets with a larger range and associated equipment that Ukraine asked, the responsible Defense Security Cooperation agency said in Washington. According to the information, Ukraine receives financing aid from the USA, Denmark, the Netherlands and Norway.
This will be important on Friday
The western allies of Ukraine continue to advise how the country’s security can be guaranteed after a possible end of the war. In addition, the Foreign and Defense Minister of the EU countries in the Danish capital Copenhagen come together today. Selenskyj has also announced that his chief negotiator Andrij Jermak and Rustem Umjerow in New York will talk about security guarantees with Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff.
dpa
Source: Stern
I have been working in the news industry for over 6 years, first as a reporter and now as an editor. I have covered politics extensively, and my work has appeared in major newspapers and online news outlets around the world. In addition to my writing, I also contribute regularly to 24 Hours World.
