With provocative video, Vladimir Putin raises nuclear stakes
Trump appeared willing to discuss the terms of a ceasefire, but Putin held out for a settlement that would confirm Russia’s hold on all the Donbas region in eastern Ukraine, as well as Crimea and other parts of the country – a position Ukraine rejects.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky told Trump last week that he could not accept the Russian claims, and has since turned to European leaders to try to gain more support in the hope of intensifying military pressure on Putin.
The talk of a peace deal for Ukraine, which grew louder after the ceasefire in Gaza last week, has given way to displays of military might on both sides of the European war.
The Ukraine government said a Russian drone strike had hit a kindergarten in Kharkiv in the latest overnight attacks, killing one person and wounding seven others.
“Clearly, Russia is growing more brazen,” said Zelensky.
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“These strikes are Russia’s spit in the face to everyone who insists on a peaceful resolution. Thugs and terrorists can only be put in their place by force.”
European leaders intend to demonstrate their support for Ukraine at a gathering of the European Union’s peak council on Thursday, Brussels time, and a meeting of the “Coalition of the willing” in London on Friday.
Ukraine firefighters work after a Russian drone hit a kindergarten in Kharkiv on Wednesday.Credit: AP
In this photo provided by the Ukrainian Emergency Service, rescuers evacuate children from the kindergarten.Credit: AP
While the Coalition was first convened by British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron to discuss options for keeping the peace in the event of a ceasefire, it has become a forum to negotiate more military support for Ukraine.
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A key objective at the European Council meeting, a regular forum for the leaders of the member states, is to agree on a loan to Ukraine worth as much as €140 billion ($250 billion) using frozen Russian assets as collateral.
Ukraine is seeking to buy more Patriot missile defence systems from the US to defend its territory, but Trump has turned down a request for Tomahawk missiles that could strike targets deep inside Russia.
Putin vigorously opposed the sale of Tomahawks and followed that with his display of Russia’s nuclear capabilities by staging the long-range missile launches from land, sea and air.
Zelensky met Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson on Wednesday to seal an agreement to buy Gripen fighter jets with the capacity to strike targets in Russia.
“Everyone can see what threats they help counter. We expect that the future contract will enable us to obtain at least 100 of these jets,” Zelensky said.
Sweden’s Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, right, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Sweden on Wednesday.Credit: AP
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