Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.
Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in
Zelensky said on social media: ‘the war must end’
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has condemned the US response to the drone strike on Kryvyi Rih which has killed 18 people, including nine children.
The Ukraine leader thanked many world leaders for their responses following the attack on civilians in his home town before he went on to criticise the response from the US Embassy as “surprisingly disappointing”.
“Such a strong country, such a strong people, and yet such a weak reaction. They are afraid to even say the word ‘Russian’ when speaking about the missile that murdered children”, he said on X.
“Yes, the war must end”, he added. “We must not be afraid to pressure the one who continues this war and ignores all the world’s proposals to end it.”
Regional officials said 38 people, including a three-month old baby, were in hospital and over 60 were wounded.
Zelensky’s statement comes as US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told Nato foreign ministers that they would know in a matter of weeks whether Russia is serious about peace or not.
He said: “We will know soon enough, in a matter of weeks, not months, whether Russia is serious about peace or not. I hope they are.”
Britain needs to rearm and build reserves through a form of national service to defend against Vladimir Putin’s hopes of dominating eastern Europe and undermining the West, the former head of MI6 has warned.
Sir Alex Younger said people in the UK must realise that the threat from Russia – and its closeness to the US – is real, adding: “Putin and Trump together have done their best to persuade us that the rules have changed.”
Sam Kiley reports:
Zelensky said that the missile which killed nine children in Kryvyi Rih struck an ordinary street with residential buildings.
He said: “The missile struck right at the ordinary street with residential buildings, a playground, shops, and a restaurant around.
“Sixty-two people were injured in the attack, including twelve children. Some of them are in critical condition, they are currently in the hospitals.
“Doctors are doing everything possible to save lives.”
Zelensky urged for an international response after a Russian strike hit civilians in Kryvyi Rih.
He said: “It is critically important not to leave this Russian strike on civilians, on the city – every such strike – without a response from the world. Kryvyi Rih and all of Ukraine have already been supported by many yesterday and today.
“I am grateful for the principled stance of the foreign ministers of the Czech Republic, Finland, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, and Austria. I thank the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy for her position and support.
“We value the principled statements made by the Embassies of Japan, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, and Germany.”
He went on to condemn the response from the US Embassy as “surprisingly disappointing”.
“Such a strong country, such a strong people, and yet such a weak reaction. They are afraid to even say the word ‘Russian’ when speaking about the missile that murdered children.
“Yes, the war must end. But to end it, we must not be afraid to call things by their names. We must not be afraid to pressure the one who continues this war and ignores all the world’s proposals to end it.”
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in
Ukraine-Russia war live: Zelensky hits out at US over ‘weak’ reaction to Russian attack on his hometown – The Independent
