**Ukraine’s President Blames Russia for Lack of Ceasefire, Drone Strike**
In a recent meeting with journalists, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky blamed Russia for the lack of a ceasefire and accused Moscow of using “artificial diplomacy” in peace talks. The comments come as Ukraine continues to face intense Russian military attacks.
According to Zelensky, if Russia had accepted Kyiv’s calls for a 30-day ceasefire, the recent drone strike on Russian strategic bombers would not have occurred. The massive operation, codenamed Operation Spiderweb, saw 117 drones launched from trucks across Russia and hit four different air bases, causing an estimated $7 billion in damage.
**Russia Rejects Ceasefire Again**
Zelensky’s comments highlight the ongoing stalemate in peace talks between Ukraine and Russia. Despite repeated calls for a ceasefire, Moscow has again rejected Kyiv’s demands. The most recent round of negotiations ended without any tangible progress toward a long-term ceasefire or peace deal.
In fact, Russian President Vladimir Putin used the talks to list his country’s peace conditions, which reportedly included official recognition of Russia’s occupation of Ukrainian territories, Ukraine’s full withdrawal from four partially occupied regions, and a ban on joining NATO. These demands have been met with skepticism by Ukraine and its Western allies.
**Ukraine Will Continue to Defend Itself**
Zelensky emphasized that Ukraine will continue to respond as long as Russia carries out attacks against Ukrainian territory. The president underscored that his country will not be intimidated by Russian aggression, saying “We should choose the game rules.”
The recent drone strike on Russian bombers has been seen as a significant blow to Moscow’s military capabilities, with Zelensky suggesting that roughly half of the planes involved in the operation will be impossible to repair.
**International Reaction**
US President Donald Trump’s special envoy for Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, acknowledged that the strike demonstrated Ukraine was “not lying down,” but warned it could escalate the war further. The U.S. president has not yet commented on the strike.
The international community is closely watching the situation in Ukraine and Russia, with many hoping for a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
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