Zelenskyy Urges Pressure on Russia After Large-Scale Attack During Peace Push

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy claimed that Russia launched a massive overnight strike involving 29 missiles and about 400 drones just before the start of U.S.-mediated trilateral peace talks in Geneva, injuring nine people including children and damaging critical infrastructure across multiple regions.

In a video message posted on X, Zelenskyy said, “In the massive strike with which the Russians began the day, 29 missiles of various types were fired, and 25 were shot down. This is an important result for our air defense, and once again, we emphasize that air defense is a daily necessity."

"I thank all our partners who understand this. Russia greets with a strike even the very day new formats begin in Geneva--trilateral and bilateral with the United States. This very clearly shows what Russia wants and what it is truly intent on. Almost 400 drones were launched as well," he added.

He further said that Ukraine’s delegation would raise the issue of the attacks with their U.S. counterparts during the talks and reiterated Kyiv’s readiness for a peace agreement.

“The only question is for the Russians: what do they want? And also, whether there will be consequences for Russia for the fact that 'shaheds,' missiles, and fantasy chatter about history matter more to them than real diplomacy and lasting peace,” Zelenskyy added.

How did the Russian strike impact Ukraine’s energy sector and Odesa?

Earlier in the day, Zelenskyy also reported that a combined strike had targeted 12 regions and severely damaged the energy sector, including the southern port city of Odesa, leaving tens of thousands of residents without heat and water supply.

About 10 residential buildings and railway infrastructure were damaged, and all necessary services were deployed for relief efforts.

Calling for stronger international action, he wrote, “Russia must be held to account for its aggression. Our diplomacy will be more effective if there is justice and strength. Strength of pressure on the Russian Federation - sanctions pressure and steady, rapid support for the Ukrainian army and our air defense. For peace to be real and just, action must target the sole source of this aggression - because it is Moscow that continues the killings, massive attacks, and assaults.”

The Geneva talks are part of ongoing international efforts mediated by the United States to find a negotiated settlement to the war between Ukraine and Russia, which began in February 2022.

According to Al Jazeera, the discussions follow two earlier rounds of U.S.-brokered negotiations held in Abu Dhabi in January and early February that ended without a breakthrough.

How did the Ukraine-Russia Geneva talks unfold after six hours of tense negotiations?

Negotiators from both sides concluded the first of two days of talks on Tuesday after nearly six hours of tense discussions conducted in bilateral and trilateral formats.

Ukraine’s lead negotiator Rustem Umerov said the discussions focused on “practical issues and the mechanics of possible decisions,” without disclosing further details, and confirmed that negotiations would resume on Wednesday for a final day.

Before the talks began, Umerov had downplayed expectations, stating that the Ukrainian delegation was working “without excessive expectations”.

Russian news agencies quoted a source describing the talks as “very tense,” with both sides agreeing to continue discussions the following day.

Delegations from several European countries were present in Geneva but did not participate directly in the trilateral peace talks.

They were invited after Kyiv requested their inclusion and were to be briefed separately by American and Ukrainian officials, while Moscow has previously opposed European involvement.

What did Donald Trump say about Ukraine during the Geneva peace talks?

U.S. President Donald Trump, who is pressing for a deal to end Europe’s biggest conflict since 1945, urged Kyiv to move quickly.

“Ukraine better come to the table fast. That’s all I’m telling you,” he told reporters aboard Air Force One.

U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner represented the administration at the Geneva meetings and also attended indirect negotiations with Iranian officials earlier in the day.

The Geneva round comes days before the fourth anniversary of the full-scale invasion on February 24.

The war has killed tens of thousands, displaced millions, and devastated cities, towns and villages across Ukraine.

(With inputs from ANI)