President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, commenting on recent Russian strikes in Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia, Sumy region, and Odesa, stated that Russia will deliberately kill to continue putting pressure on Ukraine and Europe, and to humiliate diplomatic efforts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He wrote about this on X.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Zelenskyy noted that the \u201cdeliberate and cynical Russian strike\u201d comes amid a meeting in Washington aimed at ending the war.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe will discuss key issues with President Trump. Leaders from the UK, France, Germany, Italy, Finland, the EU, and NATO will participate in the talks alongside Ukraine. Everyone wants a dignified peace and real security,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAnd at this very moment, the Russians are striking Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia, Sumy, Odesa, residential buildings, and our civilian infrastructure. This is the deliberate killing of people by Russia, the killing of children,\u201d Zelenskyy emphasized.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He mentioned a deliberate Russian strike on an energy facility in Odesa owned by an Azerbaijani company. According to the president, this was also an attack on energy independence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe Russian war machine continues to destroy lives regardless. Putin will kill deliberately to keep pressuring Ukraine and Europe and to humiliate diplomatic efforts,\u201d Zelenskyy stated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThat is why we are eagerly awaiting help to stop the killings. That is why reliable security guarantees are needed. That is why Russia must not receive any reward for this war. The war must be ended. And the one who must hear \u2018stop\u2019 is Moscow itself,\u201d he stressed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For context, President Zelenskyy arrived in Washington for a meeting with Trump after the latter held a summit with Putin. They are expected to meet around 20:15 Kyiv time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Several European leaders will accompany the Ukrainian president in the U.S. However, according to media reports, Zelenskyy will first hold a bilateral meeting with Trump, followed by a joint meeting with European leaders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Washington meeting will include European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, French President Emmanuel Macron, Finnish President Alexander Stubb, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.<\/p>\n\n\n\n