Russian President Vladimir Putin warned that Russia may use force to achieve the objectives of its “special military operation” if Ukraine continues to resist a peaceful resolution. The statement came a day after Ukrainian capital Kyiv was struck by around 500 drones and 40 missiles in early morning attacks. The attack left at least one dead and around 27 injured.
Russia’s warning also comes ahead of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s meeting with United States President Donald Trump in Florida on Sunday to discuss potential pathways to end the nearly four-year-long conflict. The talks will include extensive discussion on security guarantees and territorial issues in the Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia regions.
Zelenskyy calls Putin a “man of war”
Zelenskyy, who is en route to Florida, made a stop in Canada ahead of his talks Trump. During the stopover, the Ukrainian president held discussions with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and leaders from NATO and the European Union to gather support for his proposed peace initiatives. He also called Russian President Putin a “man of war,” after Moscow unleashed attacks on Kyiv on Saturday morning. Speaking in Halifax, Nova Scotia, alongside Carney, Zelenskyy linked the prolonged assault to Russia’s intentions, a day before his meeting with Trump. “We want peace,” Zelenskyy said, while adding “And he’s a man of war.”
Following the meetings with world leaders, Zelenskyy wrote in a post on X, “Strong positions are needed both at the front and in diplomacy to prevent Putin from manipulating and evading a real and just end to the war. The world has sufficient strength to guarantee security and peace.” Describing the Saturday morning attack, he alleged that Russia fired more than 500 drones and over 40 missiles during the attack. According to CNN report, the strike lasted more than 10 hours, disrupting daily life in Kyiv and causing widespread power outages that lasted for several hours.
On the attack, Zelenskyy said, “Another Russian attack is still ongoing: since last night, there have been almost 500 drones – a large number of ‘shaheds’ – as well as 40 missiles, including Kinzhals. The primary target is Kyiv – energy facilities and civilian infrastructure. Regrettably, there have been hits, and ordinary residential buildings have been damaged. Rescuers are searching for a person trapped under the rubble of one of them. In some districts of the capital and the region, electricity and heating are currently unavailable. Firefighting efforts are underway. Repair crews have already begun work at some energy facilities; at others, personnel remain in shelters, and rescuers and repair teams will start work as soon as the air raid alerts stop.”
