KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy criticized Russian President Vladimir Putin’s assurance not to target energy infrastructure as being out of touch with reality following a series of drone strikes across the country. Zelenskyy announced plans to speak with U.S. President Donald Trump later in the day to discuss Putin’s recent conversation with Trump regarding a ceasefire, as well as the next steps to be taken. Despite Putin’s claim that orders were given to halt strikes on Ukrainian energy facilities, Zelenskyy reported that 150 drones were launched overnight, including attacks on energy facilities. The situation was addressed at a news conference in Helsinki with Finnish President Alexander Stubb.
Russia alleged that it had ceased targeting Ukraine’s energy facilities and accused Kyiv of attacking equipment near one of its pipelines. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated, “Unfortunately, we see that for now there is no reciprocity on the part of the Kyiv regime.” The Russian strikes, which hit civilian areas and a hospital, occurred after Putin declined to support a full 30-day ceasefire during talks with Trump.
The White House viewed the call as a step towards peace, hoping to secure a maritime ceasefire in the Black Sea and ultimately end the conflict. However, there was no sign of Putin retracting his conditions for a potential peace deal, which Kyiv strongly opposes. Stubb described the discussions between Putin and Trump as a positive step but emphasized the need for Russia to cease its aggression.
Following the phone call, air raid sirens were heard in Kyiv, and explosions were reported as residents sought shelter. Despite efforts to defend against the attacks, civilian infrastructure was hit, including a hospital in Sumy. Russian drones were sighted over various regions, and the Russian Defense Ministry stated that they downed seven drones targeting energy facilities before Putin’s order to halt such strikes.
Moscow accused Ukraine of targeting its energy infrastructure near the Crimean Peninsula, leading to a fire at an oil transfer facility. Zelenskyy emphasized the need for concrete actions rather than just words of a ceasefire.
Zelenskyy stated that if Russia does not target Ukrainian facilities, Ukraine will not target theirs. Russia reported intercepting 57 Ukrainian drones over the Azov Sea and various Russian regions. Zelenskyy highlighted that a key challenge in upcoming negotiations will be territorial concessions, emphasizing that Ukrainian territories under temporary Russian occupation must not be recognized as Russian.___Contributors to this report: Yehor Konovalov in Kyiv, Dasha Litvinova in Tallinn, Estonia, Geir Moulson in Berlin, and Brian Melley in London.___Follow the AP’s coverage of the war at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine
