He called for fresh sanctions against Russia for torpedoing “dozens of opportunities for diplomacy”. “Russia chooses ballistics instead of the negotiating table,” Zelenskyy said.
The attacks were launched a day after Russia rejected a potential meeting between leaders of the two warring nations. Both Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin have been accusing each other of blocking peace talks brokered by US President Donald Trump.
He pointed out that Russia does not fear consequences and continues to wage war because many “turn a blind eye to murdered children and seek excuses for Putin.”
Zelenskyy said that he expects Beijing and Hungary, both of which have repeatedly called for a ceasefire in the war, to condemn the attacks that killed at least eight people, including a 14-year-old girl.
“We expect a reaction from China to what is going on. China has repeatedly called for not expanding the war and for a ceasefire. The deaths of children should definitely stir far greater emotion than anything else. We expect a response from everyone in the world who has called for peace but now more often stays silent rather than taking principled positions,” he wrote on social media.
Search and rescue operations are underway as first responders are clearing the city’s rubble.
Mayor Vitali Klitschko described the strikes as a “massive attack” that caused damage in several districts of the capital. AFP reported powerful explosions that lit up the night sky during the overnight attacks.
The missile and drone attacks hit a five-storey building in the Darnytsky district, and a shopping mall was damaged in the city centre. Around 100 people had to take refuge in a subway station, AFP reported.
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