After the nighttime Russian strike, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha called for pressure to be put on Russia – not our country.
On X, he reminded that Russia had launched a massive missile and drone strike on Ukraine, targeting civilians in Kyiv and other areas.
“Yesterday’s Russian maximalist demands for Ukraine to withdraw from its Regions, combined with these brutal strikes, show that Russia – not Ukraine – is the obstacle to peace. Moscow – not Kyiv – should be put under pressure,” the head of Ukrainian diplomacy wrote.
He added that Putin’s actions – not words – demonstrate that he does not respect any peace efforts and only wants to continue the war.
“Weakness and concessions will not stop his terror and aggression. Only strength and pressure will,” the minister stressed.
The capital of Ukraine experienced a particularly horrific and loud night. So far, nine civilians have been killed and more than 70 wounded – including six children.
In the middle of the night, Russian missiles and drones shelled other cities and towns across Ukraine, killing and wounding civilians.
- Meanwhile, the White House believes that President Zelenskyy is “moving in the wrong direction”, and earlier Trump accused Zelenskyy of “harming peace talks with Russia”.
- On 23 April, representatives of Ukraine, the UK, Germany and France met in London at the residence of British Foreign Secretary David Lammy to discuss steps to achieve a just and lasting peace in Ukraine. This was a continuation of the talks held in Paris earlier.
- It was planned that the United States, Ukraine, France, Germany and the United Kingdom would participate in these consultations at the level of top diplomats – as well as separately at the level of other officials. But after Marco Rubio cancelled his visit, the meeting of the five countries’ foreign ministers was postponed. CNN attributed the cancellation to Ukraine’s refusal to accept the US proposal to recognise Crimea as part of Russia.
- On the same day, Vice President J.D. Vance said that Washington expects territorial concessions from both Ukraine and Russia – and if not, he will withdraw from the talks.
- Ukrainian First Deputy Prime Minister Yuliya Svyrydenko responded that Ukraine was not going to capitulate.
- At a briefing on 22 April, Zelenskyy assured journalists that Kyiv would never legally recognise Crimea as Russian.