Experts have cautioned that Vladimir Putin’s sudden attack on Kyiv, intended to weaken Ukraine and pressure a “cornered” Volodymyr Zelensky, is a calculated move.
The assault resulted in the tragic deaths of twelve civilians, including six children and a pregnant woman who were swiftly taken to the hospital. This brutal attack comes at a time when Ukraine is already embroiled in disputes with former US President Donald Trump over peace negotiations.
The deadly Kyiv strikes wounded over 80 people, Ukraine’s State Emergency Service said.
Of these, 42 were taken to the hospital in a serious condition – including a pregnant woman and six children.
Fears are mounting that as recovery operations across the capital continue, more bodies may be found.
Zelensky said the air attacks caused “significant destruction”.
He added that over 70 missiles, including ballistic missiles.
The Ukrainian President rushed back home from a visit to South Africa on Thursday after an unprecedented blitz on Kyiv
Even a raging Donald Trump blasted Putin after Russia’s massive missile blitz on Kyiv – telling the tyrant to “STOP!”
Foreign policy experts told The Sun that the timing of the strike shows that “Russia does not want peace”.
The experts suggest that the strategy of severely attacking Ukraine is aimed at coercing Zelensky, who is facing pressure from both Trump and Putin, into agreeing to the existing peace agreement, which heavily favors Russia.
And that Russia will keep bombing Ukraine and kill civilians if Kyiv does not accept the Trump-proposed peace deal.
Dr Stephen Hall, expert in Russian and Post-Soviet Politics, said: “Putin is showing yet again that he doesn’t actually want peace, that the Russians don’t want peace, and that Russia has the capacity to strike Kyiv and Kharkiv as well.
“Ukraine needs to find a way around this peace deal that the Americans are proposing.
“Ukraine needs American support in terms of intelligence, sharing and in terms of weapons and keeping the Americans on side. The Europeans also need the Americans to be on their side.”
And launching massive attacks using missiles and drones shows that Putin is willing to go on with the strikes if Kyiv does not accept a deal.
Mr Hall said that Ukraine needs to strike a deal as soon as possible, but Trump could force Ukraine into a “corner” to achieve one.
He added: “Donald Trump wants to do a deal as quickly as possible.
“He has this 100 days idea that he has to achieve peace in 100 days, and so the easiest way to achieve that is to coerce Ukraine into a corner.”
“Donald Trump seems to be at least publicly, from what we’re being told, losing interest in finding a peaceful settlement.
Trump’s seven-point plan
THE US has drafted up a seven-point plan which, it hopes, will draw a path to peace between Ukraine and Russia.
A source with knowledge of the plan revealed the content of the main points, reports The Telegraph:
- Immediate ceasefire in Ukraine
- Direct talks between Ukraine and Russia
- Ukraine to be barred from joining Nato
- US to formally recognise Russian sovereignty over Crimea
- US to give de-facto recognition of four Ukrainian territories occupied by Russia along current lines of control
- Ukraine to sign minerals deal to share profits on natural resources with the US
- All US sanctions lifted on Russia and both countries co-operate on energy
“Zelensky needs to really bring something to the table. So I think the Ukrainians are trying to work out what they can bring to the table.”
Just hours before the attack, Trump slammed Zelensky for not agreeing to a peace deal and refusing to give up Crimea.
Speaking from the Oval Office on Wednesday, Trump told reporters: “I think Russia is ready, and a lot of people said Russia wanted to go for the whole thing.
“And I think we have a deal with Russia — we have to get a deal with Zelensky.”
He added, “I think we have a deal with both. I hope they do it. You would never have had that war if I were president.”
The Telegraph reported on a seven-point peace plan being drawn up by the US, which could allow Russia to keep various land seized from Ukraine.
According to the plan, Putin would stay close to the territory his cannon fodder troops have seized from Zelensky, as outlined in an unconfirmed seven-point plan to end the war.
It would leave Ukraine with no clear US security guarantee.
And includes the US offering formal recognition of Russian sovereignty over Crimea while implying de facto recognition of other occupied territories.
Meanwhile, JD Vance also slapped Russia and Ukraine with a blistering ultimatum, warning both countries that the US would “walk away” if they didn’t find peace.
