By Newsmata
U.S. President Donald Trump pleaded with Russian President Vladimir Putin to stop his attacks on Ukraine after another set of deadly strikes rocked Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, urging him to secure a peace deal.
“I am not happy with the Russian strikes on KYIV. Not necessary, and very bad timing. Vladimir, STOP! 5000 soldiers a week are dying. Let’s get the Peace Deal DONE!” Trump posted on his Truth Social platform on Thursday.
It is rare for Trump to directly criticize Putin.
It follows Trump’s criticism of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for appearing to rule out recognizing Russia’s 2014 takeover of Crimea, a region of Ukraine, in any peace deal.
What to Know
Ukraine’s capital Kyiv was pounded by Russian missiles and drones overnight.
Ukraine’s air force said Russia launched 145 drones and 70 missiles, including 11 ballistic missiles, in the overnight attack which was this year’s biggest on the capital.
The strikes killed at least eight people, wounded more than 70, including six children, and smashed buildings, according to Reuters, citing local sources.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said the strikes showed Russia, not Ukraine, was the obstacle to peace in a sentiment that appears to be shared by Trump.
Images shared to social media showed rescue teams working with floodlights, moving through rubble and clambering up ladders next to buildings to check on the safety of residents. About 40 fires broke out around the city and an air raid alert was in effect for six hours, officials said.
Ukraine’s second biggest city, Kharkiv, was also attacked along with six other regions, according to Ukrainian interior minister Ihor Klymenko.