Post by : Saif
Al-Najjar
Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha has sharply condemned Russian President Vladimir Putin for the missile and drone strikes launched on Ukraine's major cities while peace discussions were underway in Abu Dhabi. Sybiha labeled the attacks as 'cynical' and 'barbaric,' asserting that they signify that Putin cannot be trusted in peace negotiations.
On Saturday, the strikes struck Kyiv and Kharkiv, causing injuries to at least 23 individuals and resulting in one death. The Ukrainian air force reported that Russia deployed 375 drones and 21 missiles in the assault. The attacks predominantly targeted energy facilities, leaving hundreds of thousands without electricity or heat amidst frigid conditions, affecting approximately 800,000 residents in Kyiv. Emergency crews are actively working to restore these essential services.
President Volodymyr Zelenskiy previously mentioned that it was premature to assess the Abu Dhabi discussions. He emphasized that Russia must demonstrate genuine commitment to peace. These talks, mediated by the United States, involve officials from Ukraine, Russia, and the U.S. in an effort to resolve the ongoing four-year conflict.
A significant hurdle persists in Russia's insistence on Ukraine ceding its eastern Donbas region, encompassing Donetsk and Luhansk. Ukraine retains control over roughly 20% of Donetsk, and Zelenskiy has unequivocally rejected any territorial concessions regarding regions not occupied by Russia. Surveys indicate that the Ukrainian populace is largely against such compromises.
Prior to the Saturday attacks, Kyiv had already faced two substantial assaults since the year's onset, inflicting significant outages in electricity and heating at numerous residential buildings during the cold winter months.
Although Russia maintains it seeks a diplomatic resolution, it continues to rely on military tactics when talks falter. Ukraine cautions that strikes during negotiations erode trust and decrease the likelihood of reaching a peaceful settlement.
The missile assaults underscore the complexity of resolving the ongoing conflict. As discussions persist, global attention remains fixed on finding a solution that protects both Ukraine's territory and its citizens' safety.
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